Justice Officer

Competition # : 49819  

Department: Justice

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG  

Closing Date: ​23-Sep-26 ​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Court Services Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice is dedicated to excellent service and the provision of fair and accessible administration of justice, including court administration and security.  

The Division provides administrative support to the courts listed: Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (including Family Division), Provincial Court, Small Claims Court, Probate Court and Bankruptcy Court. The courts act independently from the government to address individual cases.  

For more information on the Department of Justice Court Services please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/Court_Services/

About Our Opportunity

As a Justice Officer, you will provide a broad range of administrative support, as well as being the first point of contact for the public and clients of the Court system.  You will receive and balance monies paid into the court and enter and retrieve data from automated systems.  You will also record and process documentation, adhere to policies and processes and maintain filing systems—all while working as a team player.

In the role of Justice Officer, you may be required to attend Court to call cases and swear or affirm witnesses, interpreters, and translators.  The incumbent will also perform quasi-judicial duties as a Staff Justice of the Peace as assigned and appointed under the Justice of the Peace Act. 

 

Primary Accountabilities

Responsibilities include: 

 

• Receive and respond to requests relating to all court matters dealt with by various levels of court by telephone, fax and email.
• Receive and receipt all monies paid to the court, balance monies received on a daily basis, prepare daily cash reports and bank deposits in accordance with departmental account procedures.
• Process correspondence and other documentation received electronically, by mail, fax or otherwise.
• Maintain court filing systems by entering data in automated and manual systems, filing and retrieving documents, ensuring documents are placed in the proper court file and forwarding information to court officials or judiciary as required.
• Maintains records management and retention systems, ensuring that files are opened and closed in accordance with STAR and STOR retention policy.
• Schedule court cases and monitor the court calendar of pending cases.
• Provide a broad range of administrative support services.
• Provide legal information to the public regarding navigating the court system, court forms and procedures.
  
   

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful Justice Officer, you will have one-year post-secondary education in a related field plus three years related experience, or an acceptable equivalent. Exposure to a legal environment is considered an asset. 

The successful candidate must also:

• Have experience and competency in a computerized environment with proficient and accurate keyboarding and data entry skills. 
• Have experience adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and procedures.
• Possess strong communication and customer service skills 
• Have experience handling cash and debit/credit card payment transactions.      
• Have ability to deal effectively with the public in a multifaceted and stressful environment, often in confrontational and sensitive situations.  
• Possess strong organizational, time management and multi-tasking skills. 
• Have excellent attention to detail, maintain confidentiality, and the ability to work under pressure and deadlines. 

Sound knowledge of the justice system and government services for referral are assets in this position.  Bilingualism with oral and written skills in English and French will also be considered an asset.  

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:

 

• Three years of post-secondary education plus one year of related experience
• Two-years of post-secondary education plus two years of related experience
• Four years of related experience.

PLEASE NOTE:  Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information. 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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day (typically the hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, this may vary depending on operational needs).
• You will be exposed to emotional and sensitive issues. Dealing with difficult or distraught individuals creates a stressful environment.
• There is a high demand for accuracy and attention to detail while working in a high volume and complex service area. Errors can result in significant impacts for justice system participants. 
• Regardless of the situation you must be able to display a completely impartial attitude at all times. 
  
   

Additional Information

This competition is seeking to fill two (2) permanent employment opportunities.
Some travel and overtime may be required.

This position will require an enhanced level of security screening for external applicants.

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 for Nova Scotians. 
  
   

Pay Grade:CL 21  

Salary Range:  $2,013.12 - $2,244.03 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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons 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.