Correctional Officer

About Us

The Correctional Services division of the Department of Justice is responsible for the administration and operation of community and custody-based programs and services for adults and young persons. Within the Correctional Services core business area there are two programs: community corrections & correctional facilities. Each of these program areas is broken down into closely related activities that have a specific impact on the program’s target group.

Four (4) adult correctional facilities and one (1) youth centre provide the safety and security of person in custody while providing programs that address dynamic criminogenic factors to assist with their successful, reintegration back into the community.

Nova Scotia Correctional Services utilizes an evidence-based approach in both Community Corrections and custodial facilities. Core Correctional Practices (CCP) is the foundational practice that drives reintegration and rehabilitation practices deployed within Correctional Services. Utilizing CCP, Correctional Services staff can effectively interact, manage behavior, and help facilitate change, within target populations.

For more information on the Department of Justice Correctional Services please visit ourwebsite: https://novascotia.ca/just/Corrections/
 

About Our Opportunity

As a Correctional Officer, you are responsible for the safe secure custody, control and supervision of sentence and remand offenders in an adult correctional facility on a rotating shift basis.  Our Correctional Officer undertakes duties associated with your shift assignment in various areas of the facility.  These areas include Offender Living Units, Admission and Discharge, Reception/Visitation, Recreation, Laundry, and Canteen Services.  In this role, you will have regular and ongoing interaction with offenders, while encouraging pro-social behaviour.  You are also responsible for administrative functions related to the case management database (JEIN) and the Offender Behavioural Management System.

Correctional Officers work with a diverse offender population and are accountable for promoting and adhering to policy and procedures, standard operating procedures, post orders and directives.  As part of this role, you will be involved with conducting offender counts and searches, writing reports, ensuring offender security and safety, and compiling tasks related to physical plant cleanliness and maintenance requirements.
 

Primary Accountabilities

Facility Security

• Provides dynamic supervision of persons in custody and safe secure custody, control, and supervision of the persons in custody
   

Persons in Custody Supervision

• Includes, but not limited to participate in the case management of persons in custody; approve and arrange professional and personal visits and professional persons in custody phone calls, and escort persons in custody within the facility; respond to persons in custody complaints and requests; assist  in the completion of forms (e.g. requests, complaints); supervise persons in custody work activity inside and outside the facility
   

Physical Plant Maintenance

• Supervise facility cleaning by persons in custody, supervise persons in custody trustees on outside work detail, submit maintenance work orders when required
   

Programs

• Advise persons in custody of available programs and referring and adhering to the posted program schedule and support persons in custody program work in the living units
   

Administration & Communication

• Record and communicate information through reports, forms, logbooks, email and JEIN documentation and participate in committees or meetings as requested by the Superintendent or designate
• Communicate in a timely, transparent, and effective manner and participate in workplace wellness initiatives by promoting teamwork, leadership, diversity, and a healthy workplace
   

Qualifications and Experience

You possess a High School diploma and 2 years of related experience.  An equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered.  Typical equivalencies include:  a certificate/diploma from an accredited Correctional Officer program or a University degree in a related field of study.

Your experience and knowledge in the following areas are considered assets in this role:
 

• Experience in law enforcement, security, or the military
• Previous employment as a Correctional Officer
• Knowledge or experience in a computerized/automated environment
• Leadership experience (i.e. leading youth programs, groups, or committees
   

Equivalency

Include, but not limited to:
 

• A related 2 year post secondary diploma
• A related 1 year post secondary diploma and 1 year of related experience
• 5+ years of continuous employment in an unrelated field

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.
 

Additional Information

The facility is a 24-hour operation and is a tobacco-free environment.

This position requires a valid Driver’s License, a Driver’s Abstract, Standard First Aid/CPR Certificate, and proof of all stated education and training, which shall be provided at time of interview.

Assessment Process 
Qualified applicants will be invited to competency-based job interview.  During the interview, applicants must demonstrate well developed communication, interpersonal and interviewing/counseling and conflict resolution skills to deal effectively with offenders and function well as a member of the team. Correctional Officers serve as role models to offenders and therefore must possess sound observation, decision making and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to respond effectively in crisis situations.

If you are selected for an interview, you are required to bring copies of a valid drivers license, proof of all stated education and training, and references.

An in-depth medical form must be completed by a doctor confirming your ability to work as a Correctional Officer. Click here for the form.

You will be asked to submit a completed Pre-Employment Questionnaire Form (PEQ), prior to the appointment with staff to discuss your PEQ Form. The questionnaire focuses on honesty and integrity and candidates must answer all questions accurately and truthfully. Dishonesty or non-disclosure will result in elimination of the candidate’s application. Click here for the form.

If selected for the position, you must provide a current copy of an Emergency First Aid Certificate and Vulnerable Sector Check.
 

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.