Director, Sheriff Services

About Us

The Court Services Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice is dedicated to excellent service and the provision of fair and accessible system of justice, including court administration and security.

The Division provides administrative support to the courts listed: Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (including Family Division), Provincial Court, Family Court, Small Claims Court, Probate Court and Bankruptcy Court. The courts act independently from the government to address individual cases.  

For more information on the Department of Justice Court Services please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/Court_Services/ 
 

About Our Opportunity

As Director, Sheriff Services, you provide vision and strategic direction through leadership and management of the Nova Scotia Sheriff Services operations within the province which includes approximately 14 Justice Centers and 11 satellite Courts. The services provided are the transportation of prisoners in province (and Canada), court facility security and civil enforcement. 

As a member of the Court Services Senior Management Team, you are responsible for the Division's Occupational Health and Safety program, in addition to other programs. In your role, and through your actions and decisions, you promote trust and confidence in security, and public safety. Through effective policy and procedural development, training initiatives and operational enhancements, you create a meaningful and respectful environment for Sheriff Officers. 
 

Primary Accountabilities

• Leading the strategic planning and direction of Sheriff Services to ensure high level service delivery to the courts, judiciary, and other agencies and partners. 
• Leading significant change management initiatives which are aligned with standards, legislation, and departmental goals. 
• Ensuring the effective management of human and financial resources by setting performance and training targets, completing performance appraisals, promoting diversity, and demonstrating leadership capabilities. 
• Ensuring the effective delivery of a compliance-based audit and review program.
• Ensuring a responsive review and investigation program is delivered to respond to incidents and complaints related to Occupational Health and Safety matters. 
• Ensuring an effective recruiting, hiring, and training program that meets the needs of the strategic plan, government policy and training objectives. 
• Accountable for the negotiation of Memorandum of Understandings between related Federal Institutions and other agencies, or exchange of services between different levels of government as it relates to Sheriff Services. 
• Providing strategic advice to the Executive Director, Deputy Minister, or Minister. 
• Working collaboratively and consulting with Ministers, MLAs, justice sector stakeholders including the legal community,  NS Legal Aid, public prosecution service, Judiciary, senior police officials, and other service delivery organizations and advocacy groups to gather their input to assist with program development.  
   

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you hold a university degree in an appropriate discipline, i.e. law, safety/security, public administration, business administration, in addition to several years of progressive management experience at a senior level, in the public service or justice system. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. You also have experience in several of the following areas: public safety and security, strategic planning, change management, the management of human and financial resources, program and service development and delivery, legislative and regulatory development, and intergovernmental involvement. You find creative solutions to complex problems and can respond quickly with operational deployment strategies. Furthermore, you are also highly motivated and achievement-oriented, can analyze and problem-solve effectively, and partner collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve common goals. Through your decisions and actions, you promote public trust and confidence in public safety, and ensure a safe, secure and supportive environment for all staff, the Judiciary, and the public in varied justice centres, and courthouses throughout the province. You are capable of making effective decisions during urgent, stressful, and potentially volatile situations. 

The following competencies are important for this position: Partnering & Relationship Building Change Leadership, Effective Interactive Communication, Team Leadership, Decisiveness, Strategic Orientation, Self-Awareness & Personal Impact, Intercultural Diversity Proficiency.

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, 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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• Regular overtime work required
• Travel throughout the province is required
• Must be able to work in urgent, crisis situations 
• Will work under time pressure and with competing priorities
• Will work in a dynamic continuously evolving environment 
   

Additional Information

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

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.