Job Description

Department: JusticeLocation: HALIFAX and DARTMOUTHType of Employment: PermanentUnion Status: NSGEU - NSPGClosing Date: 28-Jul-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Court Services Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice is dedicated to excellent service and the provision of fair and accessible administration of justice, including court administration and security.

The Division provides administrative support to the courts listed: Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (including Family Division), Provincial Court, Family Court, Small Claims Court, Probate Court, and Bankruptcy Court. The courts act independently from the government to address individual cases.

For more information on the Department of Justice Court Services please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/Court_Services/

About Our Opportunity

As the Court Officer (Administration), you may schedule court hearings held in all levels of Court, manage a caseload of files, and act as the liaison between the Court, and members of law enforcement agencies, the legal profession, and the public. You may also scrutinize documents and determine corrective measures where necessary. The incumbent will also perform quasi-judicial duties as assigned as a Staff Justice of the Peace appointed under the Justice of the Peace Act . You will perform your duties in accordance with, and as assigned under, the Court Officials Act.

Primary Accountabilities

The Court Administration responsibilities include:

• Schedule Court cases and respond to inquiries and information requests from the public.
• Prepare and distribute court orders and dockets.
• Document management, Exhibit control, statistical data collection, and general accounting.
• Scrutinize documents, apply relevant Acts, statutes, policies, procedures, and determine corrective measures where necessary.
• Review documents with self-represented parties, and provide legal information and referrals as required.
• Manage a caseload of files to ensure effective and efficient client service.
• Train and mentor new staff in day-to-day operational activities.
• Liaise with the Judiciary and legal profession and communicate with legal professionals and self-represented parties on behalf of the court.
• You may be required to attend Court and perform Court-related functions.

The Judicial Support responsibilities include:

• Communicate with legal professionals and self-represented individuals to co-ordinate and manage court hearings held in all levels of court.
• Provide confidential administrative and organizational support to the Judiciary.
• Act in the role of the clerk in all courts, including jury sitting and performing quasi- judicial duties as a Staff Justice of the Peace.
• Train and mentor new staff in day-to-day operational activities.
• Under the Judges direction, draft and prepare complex orders and decisions arising from court hearings, review and apply relevant acts, statutes, policies and procedures to all court documentation.
• Record and transcribe court proceedings by means of electronic recording equipment.
• Facilitate all aspects of court hearings from opening court, calling cases, swear or affirm witnesses or interpreters and translators, while simultaneously operating all required technology that may be required to support virtual court or hybrid models of court or appearances.
• Exercise care and control of exhibits, including transportation, until transferred to the Exhibit Custodian.
• You may be required to perform duties in Court Administration

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful Court Officer (Administration or Judicial Support), you will have two years of post-secondary education in a related discipline plus five years related experience in a legal environment; an equivalent combination of training and experience with exposure to the justice system will be acceptable.

For this position, your experience and competency in keyboarding, data entry and other standard computer applications including MS Office products are required.

You will also possess excellent proofreading, spelling and grammar skills. Your superior organizational abilities and strong prioritization skills, with a combination of speed and accuracy, assist with your attention to detail for a variety of tasks while meeting tight deadlines.

You may also be required to have general accounting skills, scheduling skills and/or interviewing and assessing skills. You can work independently and as part of a team.

You must be fair and impartial to all clients using a high degree of confidentiality while exercising your excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly listening skills, when dealing with difficult people in complex, sensitive and stressful situations. Tact and discretion are essential.

You must demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the Rules and Statutes that govern the courts as well as a sound working knowledge of legal documents, forms, court procedures and legal terminology. You will demonstrate a high level of initiative and problem-solving abilities and readily accept responsibilities. Errors can result in significant impacts for justice system participants.

Legal research skills and bilingualism, with oral and written skills in English and French, would be considered assets.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, typing test, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.
Training and/or experience in mediation and non-conflict resolution and bilingualism, with oral and written skills in English and French, would be considered assets.

Equivalency

Include, but not limited to:

• A 2 year certificate/diploma in a related discipline plus 5 years of related experience
• A 1 year certificate/diploma in a related discipline plus 6 years of related experience
• A 4 year Bachelors degree in a related discipline plus 3 years of related experience
• A 3 year Bachelors degree in a related discipline plus 4 years of related experience
• Seven years of related experience with exposure to the justice system

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day (typically the hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, this may vary depending on operational needs).
• Your personal resiliency is essential to meet the emotional demands of this position. You may be immersed in high stress situations and encounter distraught and difficult individuals.
• Handling of some exhibits may be mentally or physically disconcerting.

Additional Information

This competition is being used to create a Hiring Pool to fill current vacancies and future ones that may arise over the next several months. Opportunities may include Permanent/Term/Temporary and/or Casual roles. The appointment status (term, temporary or casual) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate in relation to the duration of the assignment.

Candidates may be required to obtain training in Firearms Safety in relation to handling evidence and may be required to successfully complete the Nova Scotia Certified Transcribers qualification. This position will require an enhanced level of security screening for an external application.

Some travel and overtime may be required.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: TE 22Salary Range: $2,189.32 - $2,574.66 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement:Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:
Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.
External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.