Maintenance Enforcement Officer (Casual Relief)

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.

The Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) is a free service of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice that helps you make or receive court-ordered maintenance payments when your court order is enrolled with the program and can take steps to enforce maintenance orders when payments are not made. The MEP operates under the laws set out in the Maintenance Enforcement Act.  Benefits of enrolling in the MEP include: we keep an accurate record of all payments made and received; we protect your personal information; we act as a buffer between payors and recipients; we work with the MEPs in other provinces if the payor or recipient lives outside Nova Scotia; and we can take enforcement action if payments are not made. No one other than the MEP can enforce an order to pay maintenance.

For more information on the Department of Justice MEP please visit our website: https://mep.novascotia.ca/
 

About Our Opportunity

As the Enforcement Officer, you will be supported by the Coordinator and in accordance with the Maintenance Enforcement Act, you will be responsible to exercise the authority of the Director of Maintenance Enforcement.

You will have the authority to:

• Conduct traces and to search information to locate a payor and the payor's resources;
• Garnish/seize resources;
• Issue liens/judgements against resources;
• Request revocation of various provincial and federal licenses;
• Negotiate arrangements with the payor for payment of maintenance arrears based on analysis of detailed financial information;
• Represent the Director in court proceedings;
• Manages a large caseload which may include high conflict cases;
• Communicate on a regular basis with payors, recipients, lawyers, court staff, financial institutions, other government agencies and the business community;
• Respond to inquiries and requests for assistance from clients and stakeholders.
• Act as a subject matter expert on a project to operationalize current processes into a Dashboard design and identify key process indicators that will align the day to day activities to our overall business goals.
   

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate you will have an undergraduate degree plus 5 years related experience (or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience).

In addition, you hold the following training and work experience:

• Computer proficiency with the ability to utilize various databases to collect and process information;  
• Work within a structured policy environment;
• Manage a high-volume case management assignment;
• Deal with the public on complex and sensitive issues;
• Conduct client interviews and assessments;
• Apply working knowledge and understanding of legislation, policies, procedures, and directives governing an operational program;
• Interpret/analyze financial information provided by clients;
• Exercise discretion, judgement, analytical and negotiation skills;
• High level, independent decision-making;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
• Ability to work within a team.

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

Equivalency

Include, but not limited to, 

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a Master’s degree in a related field and three years of related experience
• A two-year certificate/diploma in a related field plus seven years of related experience
• A one-year certificate/diploma in a related field plus eight years of related experience
• Nine 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.
 

Working Conditions

• May be required to work overtime on occasion
• Normal office environment, modern, automated office
• May be exposed to distraught clients
• Constant use of computer workstation and telephone for extended periods of time
• Frequent interruptions; high volume of work
• Must manage pressure in response to management and staff requests to meet deadlines
• Required to handle and process several tasks concurrently
• Challenge of a large caseload and high call volume, while ensuring cases are managed in compliance with policy and procedures
   

Additional Information

This competition will be used to fill positions on the Relief Roster.  This roster is used to cover absences and leaves.

As a Relief employee flexibility is paramount, it is expected you will be available for shifts with short notice.

A relief employee is an employee who is not regularly scheduled by the Employer, but who works relief assignments on an as-needed basis as operational requirements demand. As such, a relief employee does not have guaranteed hours of work. Please note when competing for vacancies, a successful Temporary, Term or Permanent Relief Employee who is currently employed with the Province will maintain their bargaining unit status, seniority and benefit level at the new workplace.
 

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.