Victim Services Navigator (Term)

About Us

The Maintenance Enforcement and Victim Services Division of the Department of Justice helps facilitate court ordered child and spousal support and offers a range of services to help victims of crime.

Within Victim Services we offer a range of services to help victims of crime, promote victims’ rights and interests and advise government on issues relating to victims of crime; and work with justice partners and the community to develop policies and programs that address the needs of crime victims. We can help provide the victim, spouse, or relative, with information, support and assistance as their case moves through the criminal justice system. When criminal charges are laid, victims and family members can contact us directly for help.

We provide the following programs: Provincial Victim Services Program, Child Victim/Witness Program, Criminal Injuries Counselling Program, Victim Impact Statement Program, Restitution Program and the Sexual Offense Legal Representation Program.
For more information on the Department of Justice Victim Services please visit the following link: https://novascotia.ca/just/Victim Services/
 

About Our Opportunity

The Victim Services Navigator is responsible for delivering the Provincial Victim Services Program, in accordance with the rights of victims of crime as outlined in the Victim’s Rights and Services Act, the Criminal Code of Canada and the victim-related provisions of other federal and provincial statutes, including the Victim Bill of Rights.

As our Victim Services Navigator, you will provide information and support services directly to victims of crime, and act as a liaison between the victim and justice personnel such as police and Crown Attorneys. This work can include Court preparation sessions, Court accompaniment and assisting victims to access Criminal Injuries Counselling or to prepare and submit Victim Impact Statements to the Court. In this role, you will identify and analyze trends and common concerns of victims and employ a variety of strategies to meet those needs.
 

Primary Accountabilities

You will maintain a caseload of highly sensitive files and provide support to help meet clients' needs and provide referrals to specialists as needed. You will ensure the clients are provided information regarding the criminal justice system/process and assist in submitting documents.

You will liaise with Crown, Police, Correctional Services and community organizations in the development, delivery, coordination, and enhancement of services.

You will ensure the confidentiality of client information is maintained and that it is accurately entered into the Victim Services case management system. This includes utilizing a bring forward system to monitor and action time sensitive files.
 

Qualifications and Experience

You possess a Bachelor’s degree (typically in the Social Sciences) and three years of related experience. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. Related experience includes (but is not limited to) providing client services in the community. 

In this role, you are required to have experience in client assessment and interviewing techniques, as well as case management and computer skills. Your knowledge of the criminal justice system and community resources, the Victims’ Rights and Services Act, the Criminal Code of Canada, and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights is essential.

Our successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills, good organizational ability and strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work as part of a team. You will demonstrate empathy, warmth and tact along with an in-depth understanding of human dynamics and the effects of victimization. Sound judgment and the ability to work with self-confidence and decisiveness are also important in this role.

Access to reliable transportation is required as you will be responsible for multiple court locations in your coverage area.

The ability to speak French would be considered an asset.

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

Equivalency

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a Master’s degree in a related field and one year of related experience
• A two-year certificate/diploma in a related field plus five years of related experience
• A one-year certificate/diploma in a related field plus six years of related experience
• Seven years of experience working in a related field with no formal training

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

• May be required to work overtime on occasion
• Stressful work environment given extensive exposure to high emotional issues and dealing with clients in crisis who are often in fear for their lives and frustrated with a criminal justice system they may not understand
• Sitting at a computer for long periods of time
• Mentally challenging due to a high demand for accuracy and attention to detail with a high volume of work
• Potential for both physical and non-physical violence from hostile clients and offenders
• Possible exposure to domestic disturbances and aggressive attitudes towards government officials
• Travel is required to attend meetings and offer services in courts and clients’ communities
   

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with anticipated end date of September 14, 2025.  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.
• 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.