Manager, Sheriff Services (Deputy Chief Sheriff)

About Us

The Department of Justice is responsible for the administration of justice and for promoting access to justice and the safety and security of Nova Scotians through justice-related programs, services and initiatives. A Sheriff is an officer of the court who is referred to as a "peace officer." A Sheriff's work focuses on the safety and security of the judiciary, court staff, the public, and persons in custody. There are local Sheriffs for every county of Nova Scotia. They work with individuals in custody and travel over 2 million kilometers in a year.

Sheriffs are responsible for:

• court security
• transportation of prisoners to and from institutions and all levels of court
• the service of some civil and criminal documents
• the execution of court orders
  

About Our Opportunity

As the Manager Sheriff Services (Deputy Chief Sheriff), you are responsible for providing senior leadership, administrative and operational support for the delivery of Sheriff Services programs at all court locations across the province. Sheriff Services provides court security at 13 Justice Centers; prisoner transportation within and to/from the province, and civil document services as ordered by the court. Sheriff Services has a staff complement of approximately 230. You will supervise Sheriffs who are located at provincial justice centers, as well as oversee the functional areas of training, risk management and policy development.

Primary Accountabilities

• Ensuring a 24/7 response to the client base, through leading and mentoring Sheriffs (managers). 
• Developing programs, policy and procedures, and implementing change management initiatives
• Ensuring that functions are consistent with standards and legislation, that operational issues are addressed properly, and that services are provided in an efficient and effective and professional manner. 
• Developing and fostering key partnerships with Justice stakeholders, both internal and external to government.  
• Managing human and financial resources, including setting manager performance targets, managing discipline, providing for a healthy and respectful workplace and developing, monitoring and forecasting budget requirements and expenditures.
  

Qualifications and Experience

Graduation from a police/law enforcement-related training program and several years of strategic senior management/leadership experience in a law enforcement or security environment, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience, may be considered.

The following is required:

• Experience in managing multiple units of work.
• A working knowledge of legislation, including the Criminal Code, Provincial and Federal Statutes.
• Experience in the administration of a (nationally recognized) Use of Force program and an operational application and understanding of weapons systems in a law enforcement environment, including critical incident management.
• Experience in the development and implementation of policy and programs.
• A valid driver's license.
• Experience in change and project management initiatives.
• Experience conducting audits and performance reviews in a law enforcement setting.
• Experience in managing human resources, including matters of discipline (preferably in a unionized environment), budgeting, training and development.
  
  

The following are considered assets:

• Experience and knowledge of OHS programs or legislation as it applies to a security and or law enforcement environment.
• Some experience in civil enforcement-related legislation, such as The Courts of N.S. Civil Procedure Rules and The Sale of Land Under Execution Act.
• Current certification in First Aid and CPR (will be required upon hire).
  
  

Sheriff Officers carry various Use of Force options and Personal Protective Equipment; therefore, you must understand the complexity of a Use of Force program, as you will be responsible for overseeing the application of policy and procedure to ensure that Occupational Health and Safety provisions are met.

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 is required
• Responding to late-hour or weekend/holiday calls regarding transport service requirements or officers seeking operational direction is common
• Will work under time pressure and with competing priorities
• Will work in a dynamic, continuously evolving environment
• Travel within the Province of Nova Scotia will be required
  

Additional Information

This is a permanent full-time position based in Halifax. The work location may be flexible based on the successful candidates specific location within the Province of Nova Scotia, however no remote (work from home) option is available.

As this position is designated as a peace officer, you will be required to participate in and complete elements of the Sheriff Officer Orientation Program, which includes the use of force components; therefore, successful candidates must be in good physical/medical condition.  You will also be required to complete a security clearance to the level expected by affiliated agencies (Secret, Federal Government).  Additional successful completion of appropriate background checks is required; these include a criminal record check, employment references, driver's abstract, child abuse registry check, credit and other records checks.

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.