Area Firearms Officer (Compliance Officer 3)

Government of Nova Scotia; Halifax; On-site; CAD 3,343,000 - 3,906,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Health insurance

Dental care

Life Insurance

Disability coverage

Vacation & EAP

Job summary

Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a Provincial Firearms Officer to enforce the Firearms Act and related regulations. You will investigate, assess risk, and issue licences or authorizations while collaborating with the CFO, District Leads, and stakeholders across Nova Scotia.

The role requires strong judgement, compliance expertise, and the ability to balance public safety with service delivery. Regular travel and security clearances are part of the position.

Qualifications

• Certification or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 5 years of related experience.
• Experience in complex investigations, eligibility assessments, background investigations, or risk assessments.
• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions in consultation with management.

Responsibilities

• Conducting complex investigations to assess risk for firearms access by researching records and interviewing relevant persons.
• Conducting thorough inspections of ranges, businesses, or premises to ensure compliance.
• Providing advice and guidance to clients on regulatory compliance and interpretations of regulations.
• Build strong working relationships with the public, licensees, and law enforcement agencies.

Skills

Bilingual English/French

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Social Work, Psychology, Law/Justice Studies

Job description

Competition # : 49529 Department: Justice Location: HALIFAX Type of Employment: Permanent Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG Closing Date: 09-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Justice isresponsible for the administration of justice and for promoting access to justice and the safety and security of Nova Scotians through justice-related programs, services, and initiatives.

The Public Safety and Security Division provides service based on mutual respect, consultation, and collaboration with government, stakeholders, and the diverse communities we serve. We are committed to continuous improvement and fairness in our efforts to reduce crime and its effects, while enhancing public confidence in the justice system.

Our Division Includes

• Policing Strategies and Governance
• Police Modernization Unit
• Safety and Security Investigations Unit
• Public Safety Audit Function
• Provincial Firearms Program
• Security Programs Office
• Service Dog Program

For more information on the Department of Justice Public Safety and Security Division please visit the following link: https://novascotia.ca/just/public_safety

About Our Opportunity

You will be designated a firearms officer and inspector by the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) in accordance with the Firearms Act. Under the direction of the CFO and the supervision of the Program Lead, you will be responsible to administer the Firearms Act, its regulations and Part III of the Criminal Code.

The Area Firearms Officer plays a key role in promoting public safety through the administration of Canada's firearms legislation in Nova Scotia. Working within the Provincial Firearms Program, you will conduct investigations, assess risk, and make informed decisions related to firearms licences, authorizations, and approvals.

You will engage with individuals, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to gather information, evaluate eligibility, conduct inspections, and support compliance with legislative requirements. This position requires strong judgment, sound decision-making, and the ability to balance public safety considerations with fair and consistent service delivery.

This position reports to the Provincial Firearms Office Program Lead.

Primary Accountabilities

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Conducting complex investigations to assess the risk of allowing individuals access to firearms by researching records or reports and by interviewing any person who may provide relevant information pertaining to the eligibility to hold a licence or authorization.
• Conducting thorough inspections of shooting ranges, businesses or premises, including records, to ensure compliance and enhance public safety.
• Providing advice and guidance to clients and responding to enquiries relating to regulatory compliance and adherence to the regulations.
• Build strong working relationships with the public, licensees, other compliance agencies, police agencies, and other levels of government.

Qualifications And Experience

As the successful candidate, you have a certification or bachelors’ degree in a relevant field (e.g., Criminology, Social Work, Psychology, Law/Justice Studies) and 5 years of related experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Recent experience conducting complex investigations, eligibility assessments, background investigations, or risk assessments that required interviewing individuals, analyzing information from multiple sources, and making evidence-based decisions.

You will require motivation and an ability to problem‑solve while making decisions in consultation with your manager. Your sound judgement and application of common sense, with the proven ability to offer solutions to sensitive problems, is required.

Strong Analytical, Interpersonal And Communication Skills Are Essential.

Assets for this role include:

• Successful completion of a recognized educational or training program in law enforcement or investigations.
• Bilingualism in French and English
• Proficiency in records management practices and data storage.
• Successful completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course.
• Recent experience in managing complex investigations and knowledge of diverse investigative techniques.
• Experience interpreting and applying legislation, regulations, policies, or compliance requirements.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Benefits

• 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.

Additional Information

This role combines office-based investigative work with field inspections and stakeholder engagement throughout Nova Scotia. Regular travel is required. A valid Nova Scotia driver’s license is needed.

A successful candidate must obtain an RCMP Enhanced Reliability Status security clearance before this position can be offered. For this purpose, the successful candidate must provide suitable criminal background checks and two (2) copies of fingerprints at their cost.

If you have not successfully completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and 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

Pay Grade:

TE 26

Salary Range:

$2,826.01 - $3,301.71 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.

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 [e-mail].

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 [e-mail].