Department: Justice
Location: Multiple Locations
Type of Employment: Relief
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 22-Aug-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
The Court Services Division (hereinafter the 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 following courts: Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (including Family Division), Provincial Court, Family Court, Small Claims Court, Probate Court and Bankruptcy Court.
For more information on the Division, please visit https://novascotia.ca/just/Court_Services/
Successful applicants will be placed in a hiring pool to attend training and fill potential casual relief vacancies in 2025/2026.
Locations include Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), HRM Transport, Northeast Transport, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Digby, Kentville, Shubenacadie, Truro, Amherst, Pictou, Antigonish, Port Hawkesbury, and Sydney.
About Our Opportunity
As part of a team, Deputy Sheriff’s (DSs) 1-2 are peace officers responsible for providing comprehensive support to all levels of the court on matters pertaining to court security, the transportation of Persons in Custody (PICs), jury management and court orders.
As a Deputy Sheriff, you will be accountable for the timely, safe and efficient escort and transportation of PICs to and from correctional institutions, facilities, hospitals, police agencies and elsewhere. You will also be responsible for providing security to all levels of court.
Casual relief Deputy Sheriffs must be available to work varying shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Casual relief Deputy Sheriffs have no set schedule or guarantee of hours.
Primary Accountabilities
- Maintain order and security in the court
- Maintain the proper operation of the cell block
- Ensure that PIC's and/or other detained persons are transported safely
- Ensuring that court orders relating to criminal and civil procedures are complied with, executed and/or served properly.
- Assisting to conduct Sheriff Sales and/or seizing real and personal property.
- Developing risk assessments regarding cases and individuals before the court, PICs being transported, and civil document services.
- Remaining proficient in all required use of force options and other physical skills.
- Creating factual reports and maintaining detailed and accurate records.
- Safekeeping Government vehicles, equipment, and the personal effects of PICs.
- Obtaining DNA and fingerprints as required.
Qualifications and Experience
- Completion of a recognized law enforcement training program or relevant college/university diploma/degree.
- High school completion and an equivalent combination of training and experience in a relevant environment (i.e. policing, sheriffs, law enforcement, military, corrections, security, etc.) may be acceptable.
The following are requirements in this position:
- A valid unrestricted driver’s licence
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Computer literacy, including email, word processing, and spreadsheets
The following would be considered assets:
- Training and experience in Use of Force (UOF), Crisis Intervention and De-escalation (CID) and Intermediate and/or Conducted Energy Weapons (CEW's)
- Training in defensive driving and the operation of emergency vehicles
- Understanding of the Criminal Code and/or Federal Statutes
- Knowledge of Courthouse operations
- Experience compiling written reports
As a Deputy Sheriff, you will serve as a role model in the community and to clients. As such, it is essential that you possess integrity, sound observation, decision making and problem-solving skills, and the ability to respond effectively in crisis situations.
Qualifications will be assessed using one or more of the following tools: written examination(s), standardized test(s), oral presentation(s), interview(s), and background/reference check(s).
PLEASE NOTE: Applications and applicants may not be considered or advanced in the process if applications are incomplete, missing information or submitted after communicated deadlines.
Equivalency
Applicants that do not meet the minimum qualifications and experience identified above, may be considered if they meet the minimum equivalencies, that include but are not limited to:
- One year of full-time, directly related, work experience (policing, sheriffs, law enforcement, quasi-law enforcement, military, corrections, security, etc.).
- Five years of continuous full-time employment (does not need to be in a related field).
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
- Relief employees fill gaps in the schedule and replace full time employees when operational requirements demand as determined by the Employer
- While there is no shift work associated with this position, there is potential for travel, overtime and disruptions to personal and family life due to position responsibilities, workload, and other unplanned activities
- Deputy Sheriffs may be required to perform highway driving, including during inclement weather
- Most of the work is contained in a courthouse where the climate is managed – some of this work is in a cell block which can be noisy and disruptive. Some of this work may require standing for periods of time in a court room
- As court issues can be emotionally charged there is the potential for violence/verbal abuse by aggressive persons
- There is potential for elevated risk when required to service court orders (i.e. evictions, property seizures, etc.)
- May be required to apply force while physically subduing PIC's and/or making arrests where back-up may not be readily available
- Must use considerable tact, independent judgment and initiatives during frequent exposure to very emotional and/or potentially volatile situations
- Exposure to emotional and sensitive issues which may create a stressful environment that can be emotionally draining
- High demand for accuracy and attention to detail
Additional Information
Candidates that have been screened for the criteria above will progress through additional screening and testing, that may include the following:
- Successful completion of a fitness testing requiring a level of physical fitness reflective of the position requirements. Preparatory training is recommended.
- A written test that assesses knowledge, judgment and written communication abilities
- A Competency-Based Interview (CBI), assessing verbal communication, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, knowledge of safety and security, and teamwork ability.
- A pre-employment questionnaire (PEW) and PEQ Interview to determine if you have the personal characteristics necessary to succeed in this position.
- A comprehensive background investigation and reference check(s)
- Psychological and medical screening.
- At the completion of each stage, only candidates that are successful will move onto the next stage.
Successful applicants will be placed in a hiring pool to attend training and fill potential casual relief vacancies in 2025/2026.
Offers of employment will be dependent on the operational needs of the employer.
Applicants who successfully complete all testing phases and who are placed in a hiring pool but do not receive offers of employment may be moved into a 2026/2027 competition.
Offers of employment will only be made upon the successful completion of all stages of testing, confirmation of credentials and the completion of all applicable background, criminal record, child abuse registry and reference checks, driver’s license and driver’s abstract, fitness testing, CBI, PEQ and PEQ Interview, psychological and medical testing, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer.
- If you require assistance or have questions about this process, you can reach a member of our Talent Acquisition, Training and Development Team at [email protected]
- Successful candidates will be required to work varying shifts – including days, evenings and occasionally weekends and holidays. Scheduling and time off are granted based on length of service.
- Candidates will be required to successfully complete the 8-week paid Sheriff Officer Training Program.
- Candidates will be required to successfully complete a paid field training program for up to one year.
- Candidates will be required to successfully complete additional in-service training throughout their appointment.
What We Offer
- A favourable work-life balance.
- Access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training.
- An engaging workplace where our employees feel valued and respected.
Pay Grade: TE 21 - TE 23 Hourly
Salary Range: $30.07 - $38.33 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.
Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:
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].
