Job Description

Competition # : 41494

Department: Justice

Location: SYDNEY

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 26-Jan-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Correctional Services division of the Department of Justice is responsible for the administration and operation of community and custody-based programs and services for adults and young persons. Within the Correctional Services core business area there are two programs: community corrections & correctional facilities. Each of these program areas is broken down into closely related activities that have a specific impact on the program\'s target group.

Community Corrections has 22 offices across the province from Yarmouth to Sydney and is responsible for the supervision of both adults and young person\'s serving community-based sentences. Four (4) adult correctional facilities and one (1) youth centre provide the safety and security of persons in custody while providing programs that address dynamic criminogenic factors to assist with their successful reintegration back into the community.

The Youth Worker will supervise and support young person(s) on probation, custody and supervision, conditional supervision and Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision. The youth worker will provide evidence-based program facilitation to the young person.

Nova Scotia Correctional Services utilizes an evidence-based approach in both Community Corrections and custodial facilities. Core Correctional Practices (CCP) is the foundational practice that drives reintegration and rehabilitation practices deployed within Correctional Services. Utilizing CCP, Correctional Services staff can effectively interact, manage behavior, and help facilitate change, within target populations.

For more information on the Department of Justice Correctional Services please visit our website:

About Our Opportunity

The Youth Worker is responsible for the support and supervision of young persons in the community sentenced to Court Order(s).

The Youth Worker works as part of the Youth Integrated Service delivery model, led by the Probation Officer as the Primary Case Manager. The Youth Worker will assist with the creation, implementation, and ongoing management of interventions and strategies to address the criminogenic risk factors impacting the young person. The Youth Worker will serve as a key mentor for the young person and provide guidance, support, and encouragement as they work towards meeting their case management plan goals.

The Youth Worker will work utilize Core Correctional Practices to effectively interact, manage behavior, and help facilitate change, with the young person.

Primary Accountabilities

What You Will be Doing:

• In consultation with the Youth Integrated Services team, provide supervision and support for the young person(s) in the areas of employment, education, mental health, recreation, and program delivery.
• Navigate local government and community agency systems. Seek culturally appropriate programs and services relevant to the young person(s) needs.
• Deliver Department of Justice programs to young person(s).
• Partner with community agencies for program delivery to young person(s).
• Participate in case management planning meetings.
• Assist young person(s) to acquire personal identification cards, birth certificates, social insurance number etc.
• Seek out recreational opportunities for the young person. Provide supervision and support of young person at the recreational program.
• Assist the young person with employment services and supports, as required.
• Support young person with online training and development opportunities.
• Ensure all case management activities are documented on JEIN.
• Assist with mental health treatment goals.
• Partner with the Nova Scotia Youth Centre to facilitate reintegration plans and transition to the community.
• Assist with educational support as needed. (i.e., school visits, engagement, supporting DOJ Teacher & Social Workers).
• Attend Court as required.
• Assist with supervision of young person(s) completing Community Service Work hours.
• Provide transportation for young person(s) with approved Correctional Services vehicle.

Qualifications and Experience

You possess a Bachelor\'s Degree (preferably in Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Education or Recreation), and direct experience in youth orientated program delivery, preferably with a corrections lens in a community based setting. An acceptable equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Report writing, counseling and building and maintaining a rapport with young person(s), co-workers and community partners are critical components of the job. As such, our successful candidate(s) will demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to pay close attention to detail. You must display strong leadership and problem-solving skills, be able to make good decisions and respond appropriately to crisis situations. Other competencies that must be displayed are the ability to work well with minimal supervision and an understanding of the importance of exercising discretion with confidential matters.

Having a First Aid/CPR certificate will be an asset.

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 to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

• The Youth Worker will report directly to the Senior Probation Officer.
• Normal work week is 35 hours/week.
• May be required to work overtime on occasion.
• Excessive mental demands given extensive daily exposure to violence, problematic substance use, and other high-risk behaviours by individuals being supervised
• Increased physical demands associated with uncertain behaviours when conducting community visits.
• Sitting at a computer for long periods of time
• Travel is required for community visits, court attendance and other obligations which could require driving in all types if adverse weather conditions.
• The position requires a valid driver`s license.
• Frequent travel is required within the office jurisdiction

Additional Information

This competition will be used to fill a vacancy in Sydney.

During the job interview, candidates will be issued a pre-employment questionnaire. If you are called for the next phase, the pre-employment interview, you will be asked to bring the completed questionnaire with you. The questionnaire focuses on honesty and integrity and candidates must answer all questions accurately and truthfully. Dishonesty or non-disclosure will result in elimination of the candidate\'s application.

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 04 - PR 11

Salary Range: $1,764.93 - $2,852.85 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.

Government of Nova Scotia