Job Description

Department: Justice Location: HALIFAX Type of Employment: Permanent Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG Closing Date: 5/29/2023 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Public Safety and Security Division is committed to supporting the safety and security of Nova Scotians by collaborating with various stakeholders and communities across the country. We provide a range of programs, supports, and services, which are in accordance with provincial and federal legislation. We are committed to ensuring services are accessible and representative of the communities we serve.
The Public Safety and Security Division is comprised of the following Units:

• Policing Strategies
• Public Safety Investigations
• Corporate Security
• Provincial Firearms Program
• Security Programs Office
• Service Dog Program

About Our Opportunity

The goal of the Security Programs Office is to protect the public interest by ensuring the effective regulation over the practice of the occupation of security service providers in the public interest; administration and oversight of civil process servers and special constables/by-law enforcement officer appointments; and protecting the rights and responsibilities of service dog users.
As the Security Programs Officer, you will be responsible for ensuring the effective administration of the regulatory programs by conducting eligibility risk assessments for the approval and/or denial of applicants for a license under the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act (PIPGA), Ministerial appointments under the Nova Scotia Police Act respecting special constables/by-law enforcement officers, Police Services Act (PSA) respecting provincial civil constables for service of civil process and certification of service dog teams under the Service Dog Act (SDA).
This position reports to the Manager, Security Programs, under guidance of the Operations Coordinator, and is part of a regulatory and compliance team.

Primary Accountabilities

• Conduct eligibility risk assessments on applicants applying for security licenses and Ministerial appointments, including criminal and court records background checks to determine eligibility, prepares assessment report, and makes recommendations on cases that may be subject to further review, refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license/appointment.
• Analyse information and data from sources to make suitable recommendations based on outcome of eligibility review, applying the law and divisional policies.
• Deliver required outcomes working as a team to support program requirements, policy development as well as legislative and system changes.
• Provides advice and guidance to the public and program partners, including license applicants, security businesses, municipalities, law enforcement as well as other government departments and agencies in relation to the applicable Acts and regulations.
• Assist in improving business processes to support effective program delivery and implementation.
• Responding to requests for assistance from service dog users applying for certification under the Service Dog Act which protects the rights and responsibilities of service dog teams.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful within this role, you have completed a bachelor?s degree in a related discipline plus one (1) year of related experience in a high pressure regulatory and compliance environment dealing with multiple pieces of legislation; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be acceptable in place of education requirements.
The successful candidate must have the ability to write eligibility assessment reviews and have excellent interviewing skills, ability to interpret and apply government acts and regulations, and exercises good judgement when making decisions based on the law and divisional policies that affect the safety of the public with respect to the issuance of licenses and appointments. In addition, you will act with the greatest discretion and confidentiality, and communicate with sensitivity. Note: an offer of employment is contingent on the successful candidate possessing a clean criminal and court records background check.
As the successful candidate you will also:

• Demonstrate the ability to solve complex issues and make decisions with sound judgement.
• Be able to interpret legislation and understand legal terminology for court decisions, etc.
• Take a self-directed approach to setting priorities.
• Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Possess strong organizational skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Work well independently as well as in a team environment
• Possess the ability to manage difficult or confrontational situations in a calm and efficient manner.
• Be proficient in oracle database applications.
• Be a problem solver and have demonstrated initiative, client-focus and skills in planning and time management.

The following would be viewed as assets:

• Fluency in French
• Experience working with JEIN system or other electronic oracle case management systems.

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

Equivalency

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 Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week ? 7 hours day.
• Most of your work is in a comfortable office environment. There is a need for you to balance competing priorities, attend meetings and meet strict deadlines.
• This position requires the successful candidate to work on-site.
• Will be required to work overtime on specific occasions.

Additional Information

This is a permanent, full-time position based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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: PR 06 - PR 10 Salary Range: $1,915.37 - $2,746.69 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.