Province of Nova Scotia Hiring For Victim Services Officer 1 at Pictou, NS Full Time

Location: PICTOU

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU – NSPG

Closing Date: 8/12/2021 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Maintenance Enforcement and Victim Services Division of the Department of Justice helps facilitate court ordered child and spousal support and offers a range of services to help victims of crime.

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.

For more information on the Department of Justice Victim Services please visit the following link:

https://novascotia.ca/just/Victim_Services/

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.

As our Victim Services Officer, you will provide information and support services directly to victims of crime, and act as a liaison between the victim and justice personnel such as police and Crown Attorneys. This work can include Court preparation sessions, Court accompaniment and assisting victims to access Criminal Injuries Counselling or to prepare and submit Victim Impact Statements to the Court. In this role, you will identify and analyze trends and common concerns of victims and employ a variety of strategies to meet those needs.

Primary Accountabilities

You will maintain a caseload of highly sensitive files and provide support to help meet clients needs and provide referrals to specialists as needed. You will ensure the clients are provided information regarding the criminal justice system/process and assist in submitting documents.

You will liaise with Crown, Police, Correctional Services and community organizations in the development, delivery, coordination, and enhancement of services.

You will ensure the confidentiality of client information is maintained and that it is accurately entered into the Victim Services case management system. This includes utilizing a bring forward system to monitor and action time sensitive files.

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.

Our successful candidate will 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 will 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.

Access to reliable transportation is required as you will be responsible for multiple court 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

• 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 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 (typically the hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, this may vary depending on operational needs)May be required to work overtime on occasion
• Stressful work environment given extensive exposure to high emotional issues and dealing with clients in crisis who are often in fear for their lives and frustrated with a criminal justice system they cannot understand
• 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, full-time position based in Pictou, 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.
• Mentorship through iNSpire; a new formal, interdepartmental mentorship program that connects employees so they can gain knowledge and experience to support their career development.
• Countless Career Paths for Nova Scotians.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 11

Salary Range: $2,213.41 – $2,688.50 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 [email protected].