Public Safety and Policing Advisor (Auditor)

About Us

Public Safety and Security Division (PSSD) is committed to supporting the safety and security of Nova Scotians by collaborating with various interested parties and communities across the country. We provide a range of programs, supports, and services, which are in accordance with provincial and federal legislation. We are committed to ensuring services are accessible and representative of the communities we serve.

The Public Safety and Security Division is comprised of the following Units:

• Crime Prevention and Indigenous Policing;
• Police Modernization;
• Policing Strategies and Governance;
• Provincial Firearms Program;
• Public Safety Audit Function;
• Safety and Security Investigations Unit;
• Security Programs Office; and
• Service Dog Program.

For more information on the Department of Justice Public Safety and Security Division please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/public_safety/

About Our Opportunity

The Public Safety and Policing Advisor (Auditor) is responsible to provide audit, advisory, consultative, and research services on all matters relating to public safety and policing, including but not limited to: monitoring public safety and policing services to ensure they comply with prescribed standards for adequate and effective service delivery in accordance with the Police Act; representing the Province on issues relating to public safety and policing on federal/provincial/territorial committees; representing the Department of Justice at law enforcement and public safety functions; serving as liaison on interdepartmental committees; and working with policing, government and community partners to make Nova Scotia a safer place to live and work. 

Part of a team of professionals, the successful applicant will play a crucial role helping ensure PSSD has accurate, reliable, and timely information, based on the most relevant available data and/or policies from internal and external sources.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated and able to work under tight deadlines. The candidate must be detail-oriented with superior analytical capabilities and works well in a team environment comprised of both internal and external parties.

This position reports to the Managing Auditor.

Primary Accountabilities

• Conduct audits and performance evaluations to monitor the adequacy and effectiveness of policing services, based on established Nove Scotia Policing Standards or other standards which may have been adopted as guidelines, and additional criteria which encompass accepted police practices. Related duties include, but are not limited to:
• Developing detailed audit plans;
• Evaluating resource needs and expertise required to properly perform audits;
• Obtaining and maintaining a strong understanding of the agencies and their business needs;
• Performing sufficient audit testing;
• Identifying findings and drafting reports, inclusive of any applicable recommendations providing practical direction to address barriers/opportunities to resolve identified issues; and
• Completing a thorough review of audit work on a timely basis and ensuring documentation complies with professional and Divisional standards.
• Conduct follow-up to ensure implementation of audit recommendations and submit supplementary reports on the effectiveness of changes or the requirement for further recommendations.
• Provide consultative and advisory services to police boards, chiefs of police, and/or police associations.
• Prepare written briefs, including briefing notes, correspondence, research reports, discussion papers and proposals, as required.
• Identify, analyze, and respond to emergent issues on behalf of the Department in a manner that is consistent with Division practice.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you have a bachelors’ degree and a relevant master’s degree, such as Public Administration or Criminology, or an audit-related designation such as a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), with 3 years of related experience.

To be successful in this role you value a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce and have recent experience in internal audit, program evaluation, policy analysis, performance measurement/auditing or experience applying analysis and research techniques. You also have:

• Recent experience in reporting and/or presenting research and analysis findings in written documents (e.g., reports, briefing notes, program or policy etc.).
• Recent experience in audit, program evaluation, policy analysis, performance measurement or experience applying analysis and research techniques.
• Excellent time management skills to ensure engagements are completed within budget and time constraints.
• Ability to advance partnerships with external organizations.
• Ability to problem-solve while making decisions in consultation with Divisional senior leadership.
• Provide sound judgement and application of common sense, with proven ability to offer creative and innovative solutions to sensitive problems.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• An understanding of budgeting and auditing.

Assets for this role include:

• Working knowledge of performance or internal auditing.  

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

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

• Majority of time is spent in a comfortable office setting.
• The position involves pressure to meet deadlines.
• Travel within Nova Scotia required, occasionally from Monday to Friday (inclusive).

Additional Information

As part of the background check the candidate must submit to and obtain an Enhanced Reliability Status with Top-Secret Security Clearance prior to their start date.

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.