Competition # : 49374
Department: Justice
Location: Dartmouth, New Glasgow, Sydney and Yarmouth
Type of Employment: Relief
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 18-Jul-27 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
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 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
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
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)
- Experience in the following areas may also be given consideration towards an equivalency: Security, Military, 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)
- Experience working with diverse communities, including Elders, knowledge keepers, cultural leaders, and community organizations, is considered an asset.
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 employment in a related field, for example Social Work; Residential Counselling, working with vulnerable populations
Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
- Required to work shiftwork which can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding
- Must be constantly alert when in contact with facility population
- Required to perform person and area searches and use restraint equipment which is physically demanding
- Potential for disruption to personal and family life when there is a disturbance at the facility
- The position requires the ability to work effectively in a facility setting that may be noisy during periods of peak operational and resident activity.
- Regularly interact with persons in custody and manage challenging behaviours in a professional and respectful manner.
- Perform searches, security checks, escorts, and respond to emergencies and critical incidents as required.
- Work collaboratively as part of a team while maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to established policies, procedures, and security protocols.
- Must maintain constant awareness and professionalism while engaging with facility populations, including individuals who may have difficulty controlling emotional responses.
Relief employees fill gaps in the schedule and replace full time employees when operational requirements demand as determined by the Employer – as a relief employee there is no guarantee of hours.
Relief correctional officers are required to work shift work (day shift, night shifts, holidays, weekends on short notice)
The facility is a 24-hour operation and is a tobacco-free/vape-free environment, and is not permitted on the property.
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. This should be uploaded to your profile at the time of application.
Assessment Process
Qualified applicants will be invited to a competency-based job interview. During the interview, applicants must demonstrate well developed communication, interpersonal and interviewing counselling and conflict resolution skills that leads to effectively dealing with persons in custody and to function well as a member of a team. 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 a Vulnerable Sector Check and a Criminal Record Check.
An in-depth medical assessment must be completed by a designated clinic which will be provided to you confirming your ability to work as a Correctional Officer.
You will be asked to submit a completed Pre-Employment Questionnaire (PEQ) prior to the appointment with staff to discuss your responses to the form. Click here for the link to the 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.
- 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.
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Pay Grade: ACC 09 - ACC 11 Hourly
Salary Range: $30.76 - $39.22 Hourly
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 [email protected].
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: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
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.
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 [email protected].
