Casual Correctional Officer I

Permanent
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. 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 our website.

As a Correctional Officer, you are responsible for the safe secure custody, control and supervision of sentence and remand persons in custody 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 persons in custody Living Units, Admission and Discharge, Reception/Visitation, Recreation, Laundry, and Canteen Services. In this role, you will have regular and ongoing interaction with persons in custody, 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 person in custody 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 persons in custody counts and searches, writing reports, ensuring persons in custody security and safety, and compiling tasks related to physical plant cleanliness and maintenance requirements.

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
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
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
Communicate in a timely, transparent, and effective manner and participate in workplace wellness initiatives by promoting teamwork, leadership, diversity, and a healthy workplace

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 (Criminology, Psychology or other Social Science programs). Your experience and knowledge in the following areas are considered assets in this role:

• Previous employment as a Correctional Officer, or within Adult/Youth Custody
• Experience in law enforcement (Police, Sheriffs, Border Services, Military Police)
• Security, Military (other than Military Police), Firefighting, Social Workers, Residential Counsellors/Caseworkers/Support Workers, Occupational Health & Safety.
• Leadership experience (i.e. leading youth programs, groups, or committees, working with vulnerable populations)

5 years of employment in a related field, for example Social Work; 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. Required to work shiftwork which can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding

• Must be constantly alert when in contact with facility population, not being aware of your surroundings may create the potential for violence and or injury
• Potential for disruption to personal and family life when there is a disturbance at the facility
• A significant proportion of the persons in custody are identified as being a high-risk population for infection of hepatitis, MRSA, HIV and or AIDS.
• This is a Permanent employment opportunity, located in New Glasgow, NS.

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.
Correctional Officers serve as role models to persons in custody, and therefore must possess sound observation, decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to respond effectively to crisis situations.
If you are selected for an interview, you are required to upload copies of a valid Drivers License, Drivers Abstract, proof of all stated education and training, and references to your candidate profile, if not already uploaded at time of application.
If selected for the position, you must provide a current copy of an Emergency First Aid Certificate and Vulnerable Sector Check with Criminal Record Check included. An in-depth medical form must be completed by a medical doctor confirming your ability to work as a Correctional Officer. Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.

• We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Salary Range: $2,343.46 - $2,872.96 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.

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.