Correctional Officer

Government of Nova Scotia; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A governmental organization is seeking a Correctional Officer responsible for the safe custody and supervision of individuals in an adult correctional facility. This role involves administrative duties, direct interaction with persons in custody, and could demand availability for shifts, including nights and weekends. Candidates should possess a high school diploma and relevant experience, especially in community engagement. The position emphasizes employment equity for Indigenous Peoples and African Nova Scotians.

Benefits

Career Development programs

Engaging workplace culture

Qualifications

• You possess a High School diploma and 2 years of related experience.
• Experience working with Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities.
• Experience in restorative practices.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and secure custody of persons in custody.
• Conduct counts and searches of persons in custody.
• Supervise facility cleaning and maintenance tasks.

Skills

Leadership experience

Ability to speak the Mi’kmaq Language

Experience in law enforcement

Knowledge of computerized environments

Education

High School diploma

Related 2-year post secondary diploma

Job description

Job Information

Competition #: 47532

Department: Justice

Location: DARTMOUTH, SYDNEY, NEW GLASGOW and YARMOUTH

Type of Employment: Relief

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 28-May-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status: This opportunity is designated to applicants that are and/or identify as an Indigenous Person, or African Nova Scotian.
See the Nova Scotia Government’s Employment Equity Policy for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.

About Us

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 people 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 behaviour, and help facilitate change, within target populations.

For more information on the Department of Justice Correctional Services please visit our website.

About Our Opportunity

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. You will undertake duties associated with your shift assignment in various areas of the facility: 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.

Primary Accountabilities

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, participation 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.

Qualifications And Experience

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).

• Experience in law enforcement, the court system, security or the military.
• Previous employment as a Correctional Officer.
• Knowledge or experience in a computerized/automated environment.
• Experience working with Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities and comprehensive cultural knowledge.
• Ability to speak the Mi’kmaq Language.
• Leadership experience (i.e. leading youth programs, groups, or committees, working with vulnerable populations, educators and coaching).
• Experience in restorative practices.

Equivalency

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

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Additional Information

Candidates that are selected for an interview will be provided a medical assessment form to be completed by an approved medical clinic.

The facility is a 24‑hour operation and is a tobacco‑free environment.

Casual correctional officers are required to work shift work (day shift, night shifts, holidays, weekends on short notice).

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 certificates should be uploaded to your online application or emailed to [e-mail] in order for your application to be considered.

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.

Candidates must identify the geographic location(s) in cover letter where they prefer to work when applying. The location(s) of the vacancies are Dartmouth, Pictou, Yarmouth and Sydney.

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 lead 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 selected for the position, you must provide a current copy of an Emergency First Aid Certificate and Vulnerable Sector Check with Criminal Record Check included.

You will be asked to submit a completed Pre‑Employment Questionnaire Form (PEQ), prior to the appointment with staff to discuss your PEQ 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. Click here for the link to the form.

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

ACC 04 - ACC 04 Hourly

Salary Range

$27.22 - $33.37 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 [e-mail].

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 [e-mail].