Inspector Specialist 4 (Investigations)

Competition # : 48907  

Department: Agriculture

Location: Kentville, Halifax, or Truro

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG  

Closing Date: ​18-Jun-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture supports a sustainable, safe, and competitive agri-food sector. Working collaboratively with the Department of Health and Wellness and other partners, the department delivers regulatory inspection, compliance, and enforcement programs that protect Nova Scotians and maintain confidence in the province’s agri-food and public health system.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Agri-Food Inspection Services, the Investigator is the subject matter expert in compliance, enforcement, investigations, and prosecutions for several functions across two Departments. The position provides coordination and expert advice to inspectorates within the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Wellness.

The Investigator supports complex investigations, intelligence gathering and analysis, court proceedings, and enforcement decision-making, and contributes to risk-based planning and continuous improvement of regulatory programs. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the consistent, effective, and legally sound application of provincial legislation related to food safety, public health, and agriculture.

Primary Accountabilities

• Support and coordinate investigations related to non-compliance with provincial legislation, regulations, and permit conditions under the Health Protection Act (Parts I and II), Meat Inspection Act, Safe Body Art Act, Smoke-Free Places Act, Tanning Beds Act, Snow Sport Helmets Act, Fur Industry Act, all associated regulations pursuant to these acts, and the Game Farm Regulations and Deer Farm Regulations.
• Gather, analyze, and assess intelligence and evidence; prepare investigative and legal documentation; and recommend or undertake appropriate enforcement action.
• Coordinate and support prosecutions and court proceedings, including consultation with Crown Prosecutors and court officials.
• Provide expert advice to management on compliance, enforcement, investigative practices, and legislative interpretation.
• Lead or contribute to the development, review, and implementation of compliance and enforcement policies, procedures, and standards.
• Monitor, audit, and analyze inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities to promote consistency and quality across inspectorates.
• Plan, develop, and deliver training, coaching, and mentorship to inspectors on enforcement-related topics.
• Identify trends, emerging risks, and issues related to public health, food safety, and agricultural compliance.
• Liaise and collaborate with provincial, federal, and municipal partners on joint enforcement initiatives.
• Deliver education and outreach to industry, stakeholders, and the public regarding legislative requirements and enforcement approaches.

Qualifications and Experience

• Completion of a related degree, trade or technical training and eight (8) years of experience in regulatory compliance, enforcement, investigations, or inspections within a public sector or regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in investigative techniques, evidence gathering, enforcement decision-making, and legal processes.
• Strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and ability to manage complex and sensitive matters independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be a Special Constable or eligible for appointment as a Special Constable under the Police Act.

Assets

• Experience in food safety, public health, agricultural inspection, or similar regulatory programs.
• Certification-in-good standing with the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.
• Formal training in law enforcement from a recognized institution.
• Experience delivering training, mentoring, or coaching in an enforcement environment.
• Experience participating in prosecutions or working with Crown Prosecutors.

Equivalency

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

• Combination of office and field work.
• Regular travel throughout the province; valid driver’s license required.
• Work may occur in regulated facilities, outdoor environments, or public events.
• Potential exposure to confrontational situations.
• Occasional irregular or extended work hours.

Additional Information

The work location (either: Kentville, Halifax, or Truro) will depend on the successful candidate and departmental approvals

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
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.

Pay Grade:TE 29  

Salary Range:  $3,182.69 - $3,698.14 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve.  The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented.  If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application. 

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at Show email.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued. 

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information. 

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Show email.