Senior Fuel and Tobacco Officer 3 (Fuel and Tobacco Officer 3)

About Us

At Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business and municipality, and business in Nova Scotia. Our mandate is to design and deliver programs and services to meet the needs of our clients and the public good through a culture of excellence.  Our vision is to be a recognized leader in service and public protection that delivers trusted, accessible, modern programs, and contributes to Nova Scotia as a safe and desirable place to live, work and do business.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Compliance and Special Investigations, the Fuel & Tobacco Officer 3: 

• plans, co-ordinates and assigns inspections and investigations to the Fuel & Tobacco Officers
• directly oversees more complex investigations to determine the appropriate action to be taken under the Revenue Act, Tobacco Access Act, Petroleum Products Pricing Act, Sales Tax Act and Regulations made pursuant to these Acts. 
• assists the Manager with the overall operational program design through the development of policy and guidelines that govern the compliance inspection and investigation programs.

Primary Accountabilities

• Providing advice and recommendations to the Manager in risk assessing potential investigations and vendors/consumers for compliance inspections and the investigation/inspection protocols for the upcoming year.
• Maintaining a quality assurance program for the evaluation of investigations and inspections of vendors/consumers.
• Reviewing and approving files, inspections, operational plans and search warrants developed by Fuel & Tobacco Officers for all investigations and compliance activites.
• Monitoring the daily work duties/assignments of the Fuel and Tobacco Officers.
• Coaching and mentoring Fuel & Tobacco Officers in the performance of their duties and providing training to staff as they progress to working on more complex investigations and/or compliance activities.
• Conducting inspections and regulatory enforcement actions as well as education of new retailers/wholesalers. 
• Conducting investigations into complaints received by the Compliance & Special Investigations section. This includes conducting routine investigations and compliance inspections of corporations, businesses, and individuals engaged in the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of vape products (e-juice and devices), petroleum and tobacco products in Nova Scotia. This may include informal tasking or assignments with other provincial departments or law enforcement agencies for short periods of time.
• Participating/Co-ordinating both mobile and stationary surveillance and sample purchases of evidence pursuant to the provisions of the Revenue Act and Regulations, and under the provisions of Section 25 of the Criminal Code
• Focusing on the safety concerns of officers and providing guidance to ensure all safe work procedures are followed. 

Primary Accountabilities Cont'd

• Determining whether investigational evidence justifies the seizure of records, either by statutory authority, or whether a search warrant should be obtained under the appropriate legislation.
• Maintaining regular communications with all levels of Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Departments and their representatives. Law Enforcement agencies including the R.C.M.P. and Municipal Police Forces, both within and outside the Province as well as Provincial Justices, Crown Attorneys, investigators from other departments, i.e.. Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Border Service Agency, Health Promotion's Tobacco Control Unit. 
• Responsible for the utilization and control of communication equipment, photographic and other field equipment, including government vehicles assigned to the Fuel & Tobacco Officer 3 but also to Fuel & Tobacco Officers under their direction. 
• Responsible for the overall security of all evidentiary exhibits and the chain of continuity that is required for judicial proceedings. Responsible for the verification of confidential purchases and travel expense accounts of the Fuel & Tobacco Officers.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity you must have successfully completed Regulatory or Enforcement Training (e.g. Holland College, RCMP Training Depot, Canadian Armed Forces, etc.) +9 years related experience conducting investigations; or 2 years experience as a Fuel and Tobacco Officer 2C; or equivalent combinations of training and experience may be acceptable. Training must include investigative techniques or forensic accounting/auditing.

This position requires a significant amount of computer usage; therefore, you must be proficient in Microsoft Teams, Excel, Outlook and have the aptitude to learn other work-related programs. Due to the nature of the work, you must not possess a Criminal Record within Canada and you must be eligible to be appointed as a Special Constable (Peace Officer) under the Nova Scotia Police Act with an endorsement to carry prohibited weapons and or devices. In addition, you possess:

• Team leader experience with excellent communication skills.
• A high degree of initiative and objectivity, and the ability to manage assigned tasks as well as other people or projects to ensure they are completed in a timely manner.
• The ability to work independently.
• Attention to detail to remain current on all aspects of ongoing files.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills.
• The ability to respect confidentiality.
• A valid driver’s license. 
• Strong conflict resolution skills. 

Due to the nature of the investigations undertaken (tobacco and fuel products), you must be able to obtain a valid WHIMS certification and a basic knowledge of relevant dangerous goods.  You must also be eligible for a heightened security clearance as required by partner law enforcement and government agencies related to the sharing of confidential or protected information.

This position requires employment screening consistent with the Canada Revenue Agency’s security requirements for roles that access CRA data under a data-sharing agreement. Candidates progressing to an offer must complete both a Criminal Record Check and a Financial Credit Check.

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 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

Additional Information

This is a term, full-time position based in Dartmouth with a projected end date of December 31, 2026. Note that the status (term/temp) is dependent on the start date and the overall duration of the position in accordance with timelines outlined in the collective agreement. 

As indicated above, this position requires employment screening consistent with the Canada Revenue Agency's security requirements for roles that access CRA data under a data-sharing agreement. Candidates progressing to an offer complete both a Criminal Record Check and a Financial Record Check. 

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