Program Investigator

About Us

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration – Immigration & Population Growth (IPG) has a big job. We are responsible for attracting, integrating and retaining immigrants to our province. Nova Scotia has been welcoming people from around the world for centuries. Immigrants have helped make Nova Scotia a vibrant, dynamic society in which everyone can build their dreams. Over 1,000,000 people call Nova Scotia home, where we have room to breathe and room to grow. As a small but passionate team, we are continually evolving to meet the needs of the province.

About Our Opportunity

As the Program Investigator you will Report to the Manager, Investigations & Compliance at IPG.  The Program Investigator is a critical role in the office to ensure the long-term success of immigration programs and service delivery.  The mandate of the role is to demonstrate leadership, direction, and guidance on matters of program fraud risk prevention as it relates to immigration programs delivered by IPG, carry out investigations into immigration fraud matters, and to support the Director in all work of the Investigations & Compliance Unit.

Primary Accountabilities

The Program Investigator leads the implementation of higher program integrity standards and practices. The Program Investigator supports the Branch by executing the following duties:

• Leading investigations into cases of suspected fraud or fraud risk across all immigration programs.

• Creation and implementation of clear policies, processes, and standards related to anti-fraud and program integrity.

• Work closely with staff of all provincial immigration programs and government partners, and closely collaborate on matters of fraud risk.

• Provide expert advice to the Director, Manager, and to IPG staff to prevent, detect and address issues of fraud or suspected fraud.

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal Program Managers and Program Officers, as well as colleagues in the Atlantic Region, to identify regional issues of immigration risk and integrity.

• The Program Investigators will also work with federal counterparts at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), as well as other provincial immigration departments.

• Perform compliance verification tasks, including monitoring participants. This may involve analyzing financial capacity, operational analysis, verifying document authenticity, and conducting site visits to businesses related to program case files.

• Work with program participant employers and employees to provide education and guidance on appropriately participating in Immigration & Population Growth programs.

• Offer coaching and job shadowing to new or less experienced officers in a specific program area. Provide technical guidance as needed, helping them analyze data from multiple sources to draw accurate conclusions and make appropriate recommendations based on program criteria.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of one year experience in a role dedicated to criminal investigations which may have resulted in criminal proceedings in an enforcement agency AND
• Minimum of three years working in a criminal or regulatory enforcement agency

University degree in a related field such as:

• Business
• Public administration
• Political science
• Law
• Acceptable equivalent

Demonstrated ability to:

• Interpret policy or legislation
• Analyze complex data
• Manage a large case workload
• Writing and presenting reports at a professional level
• Conduct investigative interviews to extract crucial information from people who may be resistant to cooperation
• Navigating difficult situations, such as managing adversarial clients or interacting with argumentative or manipulative individuals
• Provide advice to senior leaders
• Collaborating with government agencies and external stakeholders

Continued

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated competencies in the LEADS framework

• Ability to manage complex issues, large workloads, and take decisive action with tact and diplomacy

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written), focusing on case analysis and reporting

• Strong time management, with the ability to handle competing demands and meet deadlines

• Collaborative team player with a focus on aligning work to organizational goals

Experience conducting investigations into suspected cases of fraud, experience in financial analysis, CPA designation, strong working knowledge of immigration legislation / programs / policies and stakeholders are considered assets.

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework.  During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and capabilities using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. 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

• May be required to work outside of normal business hours as required.

• Will be required to travel throughout the province.

• Will be required to use your personal vehicle in adherence with the Provincial travel policy.

• Will be required to work full-time out of the Branch office as a base of operations.

• The job is fast paced, you may be dealing with persons who have been victims of fraud. You will be dealing with persons who are adversarial and may be dealing with persons who are confrontational.

• Outcomes of investigations may have significant impacts on employers and affect the immigration status of candidates’ ability to work in Nova Scotia.

Additional Information

 This is a TERM employment opportunity with anticipated end date of March 31, 2026.  The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• An engaging workplace. Our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.