Area Firearms Officer (Compliance Officer 3)

The Government of Nova Scotia; Halifax; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career Development

Engaging workplace

Countless career paths

Job summary

The Government of Nova Scotia in Halifax is seeking an Area Firearms Officer (Compliance Officer 3) to administer the Firearms Act and its regulations. You will inspect ranges and premises, conduct investigations, and advise clients on compliance while coordinating with CFO and other agencies.

With a degree in a relevant field and 5 years of related experience, you will demonstrate strong judgement, bilingual capabilities (French/English), and readiness for field travel across Nova Scotia.

Qualifications

• Certification or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 5 years of related experience.
• Experience conducting complex investigations, eligibility assessments, or risk assessments requiring interviewing individuals and analyzing multiple sources.
• Strong judgement, problem-solving, and decision-making in consultation with a manager.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex investigations to assess the risk of allowing individuals access to firearms by researching records and interviewing relevant persons.
• Conduct thorough inspections of ranges, businesses or premises to ensure compliance and public safety.
• Provide advice and guidance to clients on regulatory compliance and applicable regulations.
• Build strong working relationships with the public, licensees, other compliance agencies, police, and government bodies.

Skills

Bilingual FR/EN

Education

Bachelor’s degree or cert in relevant field

Job description

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Area Firearms Officer (Compliance Officer 3)

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 is responsible 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

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.
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.

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 .

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- $3,301.71Bi-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 Womenin 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].

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 concernsmay be directed [e-mail].