Competition # : 41682

Department: Justice

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 13-Feb-24 ( Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The mandate of the Nova Scotia Provincial Firearms Office is the administration of the Firearms Act and its regulations and programs in Nova Scotia, on behalf of Canada, and in accordance with the deliverables of the federal-provincial agreement to administer the Firearms Act in Nova Scotia. Our mission is to enhance public safety by reducing risk of harm from misuse of firearms.

About Our Opportunity

You will be designated a firearms officer by the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) in accordance with the Firearms Act . Acting under the direction of the CFO and the supervision of the Operations Coordinator (OC) you will be responsible to administer the Firearms Act, its regulations and part III of the Criminal Code as part of a team responsible for regulatory compliance.

You will be directly involved and responsible for conducting eligibility investigations and risk assessments on applicants seeking to obtain firearms licenses or who hold a firearms licence where concerns have been identified. You will assess and process applications for authorizations made pursuant to the Firearms Act. These responsibilities involve the issuing of firearms licenses, authorizations, and approvals in accordance with the legislation and when required refusing or revoking an authorization. Where a public safety reason exists, you will recommend refusal or revocation of a license to the CFO. You will also be required to routinely respond to public inquiries through email and by telephone.

You may be required to attend court to support your decisions or recommendations.

Primary Accountabilities

• Screening and evaluating information from a variety of sources and using that information to make decisions about the eligibility of individuals to obtain or hold firearms licences and authorizations that give access to firearms and/or ammunition.
• When necessary, directly contacting and interviewing individuals about their eligibility to obtain or hold a firearms licence or authorization.
• Sending correspondence to individuals to address deficiencies with their applications.
• Updating licence information on the federal firearms database,
• Issuing, updating and rescinding firearms related authorizations.
• Managing the firearms licence processes for minors,
• Monitoring email and telephone and answering public inquiries about the Firearms Act, licencing and authorizations process and legislation.
• Reviewing and recording court orders made regarding firearms possession or ownership.,
• Providing public awareness sessions,
• Assisting with training and development of other firearms officers,
• Performing duties of an area firearms officer, operations coordinator or CFO if required,
• Facilitating delivery of the Canadian Firearms Safety Courses by assisting delivery agents and instructors and maintaining required documentation.
  
  

Qualifications And Experience

An offer of employment is contingent on the candidate obtaining an RCMP Enhanced Reliability Status security clearance before the position can offered.

To be successful in for this opportunity you hold a bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 1 year of related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Related experience means recent (within the past two years) experience performing detailed background checks on individuals, conducting investigations, interviews and risk assessments. You must be able to evaluate public safety risks and make decisions on whether an individuals access to firearms or ammunition poses a risk. You must demonstrate good communication skills and be able to interpret and explain complex legislation and regulations to members of the public.

You also;

• Must be able to keep secure confidential information,
• Must be able to prioritize and manage a heavy workload focused on public safety,
• Can work with minimal supervision in a team environment,
• Understand legal terminology.
  
  

The Following Would Be Viewed As Assets

• Recent experience interpreting legislation or regulations,
• Fluency in French
  
  

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

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 Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.

Working Conditions

• Majority of time is spent in an office setting with long hours in front of a computer screen and on the telephone.
• Much of the work must be performed in the office due to job requirements such as secure networks, protected information, phone and email requirements etc. Flexible work arrangements are limited.
• May be exposed to irate clients, primarily through phone calls or email.
• Little control over the volume of work, which is significant,
• Many cases will involve events related to domestic violence and/or mental health and require that you possess confidence in your judgement.
• Decision making about an individuals firearms licences and access to firearms can cause stress.
• Major, local events involving firearms can cause stress.
• Occasionally required to lift full standard size bankers boxes
  
  

Additional Information

This is a (3 year) Term employment opportunity based in Halifax with an anticipated end date of February 5, 2027.

As part of the background check for a security clearance the successful candidate must provide suitable criminal records checks and fingerprints. You will be responsible for any costs associated with these.

The RCMP security clearance process can take 8-12 weeks.

If you have not successfully completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course, you must successfully complete these courses within six (6) months of your start date.

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
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules
  
  

Pay Grade: PR 06 - PR10

Salary Range: $1,915.37 - $2,746.69 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. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing 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 Competitions@novascotia.ca.