Competition # : 50020
Department: Justice
Location: SYDNEY
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 12-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
Designation Status
This opportunity is designated to applicants that are or identify as Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis).
See the Nova Scotia Government’s Employment Equity Policy for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.
About Us
The Justice Supports and Services Division of the Department of Justice consists of three programs: each providing Nova Scotians access to critical programming and support. The Maintenance Enforcement Program helps to facilitate the payment of court-ordered child and spousal support; the NS Restorative Justice Program provides opportunities for those harmed by crime, the person who caused the harm and the communities affected to communicate (directly or indirectly) about the causes, circumstances, and impact of that crime, and to address their related needs. Victim Services offers support to victims of crime as their case moves through the justice system.
Within Victim Services we offer a range of services to help victims of crime, promote victims’ rights and interests and advise government on issues relating to victims of crime; and work with justice partners and the community to develop policies and programs that address the needs of crime victims. We can help provide the victim, spouse, or relative, with information, support and assistance as their case moves through the criminal justice system. When criminal charges are laid, victims and family members can contact us directly for help. We provide the following programs: Provincial Victim Services Program, Child Victim/Witness Program, Criminal Injuries Counselling Program, Victim Impact Statement Program, Restitution Program and the Sexual Offense Legal Representation Program.
About Our Opportunity
The Victim Services Officer is responsible for delivering the Provincial Victim Services Program, in accordance with the rights of victims of crime as outlined in the Victim’s Rights and Services Act, the Criminal Code of Canada and the victim-related provisions of other federal and provincial statutes, including the Victim Bill of Rights.
In this position, you support survivors and families of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Responsibilities include: maintaining an effective communication network with Justice, community and government officials at the regional level, coordinating services for victims of crime within the criminal justice system and the community, monitoring and recommending intervention strategies to address identified gaps in service at the community level, supporting victims for access to justice, and providing referrals to culturally appropriate resources.
Primary Accountabilities
- You will ensure the confidentiality of client information and maintain a caseload of highly sensitive files and provide support to help meet clients needs and provide referrals to specialists as needed.
- Ensure client service information is accurately entered in the Victim Services case management system
- Assess risk and communicates information in accordance with the High-Risk Domestic Violence Case Coordination Protocol framework and program policy and procedures.
- Collaborate with other government and community organizations, community outreach, navigation, and support.
- Work with other organizations to provide culturally specific supports and services that meet the needs of survivors and families of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
- Collaborate with African Nova Scotian and Indigenous communities to understand the historic complexities of sexual violence within marginalized and other vulnerable communities and survivors of human trafficking.
- Maintain knowledge of all relevant legislation, and applicable policies and procedures.
- Promote diversity through ongoing education, communication and support to colleagues, victims, and families.
- Participate in human trafficking and sexual exploitation initiatives, committees, training and outreach.
Qualifications and Experience
You possess a bachelor’s degree (typically in the Social Sciences) and three years' related experience. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. Related experience includes (but is not limited to) providing client services in the community.
In this role, you are required to have experience in client assessment and interviewing techniques, as well as case management and computer skills. Your knowledge of the criminal justice system and community resources, the Victims’ Rights and Services Act, the Criminal Code of Canada, and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights is essential.
In addition, you understand the complexities of human trafficking and sexual exploitation and the traumatic impacts of both survivors and families of those who have experienced human trafficking and sexual exploitation. You have experience in working with individuals who have been human trafficked/ sexually exploited and with vulnerable populations.
Furthermore, you have excellent oral and written communication skills, good organizational ability and strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work as part of a team. You demonstrate empathy, warmth and tact along with an in-depth understanding of human dynamics and the effects of victimization. Sound judgment and the ability to work with self-confidence and decisiveness are also important in this role.
A high level of judgement, independent decision-making and discretion is required, in accordance with the policies and procedures and best practices set out by the division.
Access to reliable transportation is required as you will be responsible for travel to multiple locations in your coverage area.
The ability to speak French would be considered an asset.
The above qualifications will be assessed using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.
Equivalency
Include, but are not limited to:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a Master’s degree in a related field and one year of related experience
- A two-year certificate/diploma in a related field plus five year’s related experience
- A one-year certificate/diploma in a related field plus six year’s related experience
- Seven year’s experience working in a related field with no formal training
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
- There will be a need for flexibility in working hours.
- May be required to work overtime on occasion.
- Stressful work environment given extensive exposure to human trafficking and sexual exploitation cases.
- Sitting at a computer for long periods of time.
- Mentally challenging due to a high demand for accuracy and attention to detail with a high volume of work.
- Potential for both physical and non-physical violence from hostile clients and offenders.
- Possible exposure to domestic disturbances and aggressive attitudes towards government officials.
- Travel is required to attend meetings and offer services in courts and clients’ communities.
Additional Information
This is a permanent employment opportunity, located in Sydney, NS.
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
Pay Grade: PR 12
Salary Range: $2,698.22 - $3,273.84 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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons 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.
Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.
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.
If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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.
