Job Description

Competition # : 39766

Department: Public Prosecution Service

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSCAA

Closing Date: 7/19/2023 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service (PPS) was established in 1990 as the first statutorily based independent prosecution service in Canada. The Public Prosecution Service is responsible for all prosecutions and appeals within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General.

With the guiding mission of providing fair and equal treatment in the prosecution of offences, the PPS prosecutes charges laid under the Criminal Code and under Nova Scotia statutes such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Head Office is in Halifax and there are regional offices located throughout the province.

The core functions of the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service are to:

• Represent the Crown in the conduct of criminal trials and quasi criminal appeals before all levels of courts.
• Participate in the development of criminal law and criminal prosecutions policy.
• Provide advice to police in respect of prosecutions generally or in respect of specific investigations
• After a charge is laid by police a Crown Attorney will review the evidence and determine if there is a realistic prospect of conviction
• The Crown Attorney will also consider the public interest to determine if a charge should proceed even if there is a realistic prospect of conviction

For more information on the Public Prosecution Service please visit the following link:

About Our Opportunity

You will report to the Chief Crown Attorney, Appeals and Special Prosecutions Section, to whom you are accountable for the provision of competent prosecution services. You will conduct the prosecution of charges resulting from matters within the Public Prosecution Service mandate that result from law enforcement agency investigations. You will work with police and prosecutors in Nova Scotia on cases primarily involving cyber-crime, child luring and child pornography. You will be responsible for providing pre-charge advice on investigations including assisting with search warrants and production orders and advising law enforcement on the legality of different investigative techniques. You will conduct such other prosecutions and duties as directed by the Chief Crown Attorney, Appeals and Special Prosecutions Section.

You will also be responsible for representing the Crown at hearings before the Criminal Code Review Board (CCRB). These hearings deal primarily with a range of options and liberties for treating persons either found unfit to stand trial or Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD). In this role, you will review psychiatric and psychological reports, hospital reports, criminal prosecution files and other related documents. You will examine forensic specialists, call evidence and make submissions to the Review Board to ensure that the treatment and/or liberty options properly represent the public interest.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful applicant you will:

• Be familiar with and have an aptitude for Internet and computer technology
• Have significant experience in advising police on search and seizure law, including searches of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices
• Have a thorough understanding of the prosecution process and competence in the areas of criminal procedure, evidence and substantive criminal law
• Have significant experience in responding to Charter challenges, including search and seizure (s.8 of the Charter) and mandatory minimum penalties (s.12 of the Charter)
• Have at least 5 years\xe2\x80\x99 experience in criminal law and significant experience prosecuting complex matters. Preference will be given for specific experience with cyber-crime investigations or prosecutions
• Be able to travel and prosecute throughout the Province, sometimes for extended periods
• Have an interest in and a willingness to take a lead role in representing the Crown at CCRB hearings

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Additional Information

Although this position is normally located in Halifax, the successful applicant will be required to travel to all parts of the province to prosecute cases and may be required to do so for extended periods of time.

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: CA 01 - SCA 10

Salary Range: $3,185.77 - $5,877.68 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 an Association position initially restricted to current Nova Scotia Crown Attorney employees. In accordance with the Crown Attorney Employment Agreement, the order of consideration will be \xe2\x80\x98Expression of Interest\xe2\x80\x99 EOI applicants, internal applicants then external applicants. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

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 .

Government of Nova Scotia