Court Officer 1-2 - Judicial Support

The Government of Nova Scotia; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 53,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a Court Officer (Judicial Support) in Dartmouth to coordinate and manage court hearings across levels of court, while providing confidential administrative support to the Judiciary. The role includes acting as court clerk for jury sittings and performing quasi-judicial duties as a Staff Justice of the Peace.

Candidates should have two years of post-secondary education and one year of related experience, plus strong keyboarding, data entry, and MS Office

Qualifications

• The candidate must have two years of post-secondary education in a related discipline plus one year of related experience, ideally in a legal environment.
• Experience and competency in keyboarding, data entry, transcribing, and standard computer applications including MS Office.
• Experience with virtual platforms such as MS Teams and video conferencing.
• Excellent proofreading, spelling, and grammar skills.
• Superior organizational abilities and strong prioritization skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with tact and discretion.
• Demonstrate knowledge of court rules, statutes, and legal terminology; initiative and problem-solving.
• Be fair and impartial with high confidentiality and strong interpersonal/communication skills.
• Legal bilingualism in English and French would be assets.
• Equivalency options: A 1-year certificate/diploma plus 2 years related experience; 3 years related experience with exposure to the justice system.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage court hearings at all levels of court.
• Provide confidential administrative and organizational support to the Judiciary.
• Act as the clerk in all courts, including jury sittings and quasi-judicial duties as a Staff Justice of the Peace.
• Train and mentor new staff in day-to-day operational activities.
• Draft and prepare complex orders and decisions arising from court hearings; apply relevant acts and procedures to court documentation.
• Record and transcribe court proceedings using electronic recording equipment.
• Facilitate all aspects of court hearings from opening court to calling cases and swearing witnesses, including supporting virtual or hybrid appearances.
• Exercise care and control of exhibits, including transportation, until transferred to the Exhibit Custodian.
• You may be required to perform duties in Court Administration.

Skills

Keyboarding

Data entry

Transcribing

MS Office

MS Teams

Video conferencing

Proofreading

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Discretion

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Post-secondary education in related discipline

Tools

Electronic recording equipment

Job description

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Closing Date:19-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Court Services 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 courts listed: Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (including Family Division), Provincial Court, Small Claims Court, Probate Court, and Bankruptcy Court. The courts act independently from the government to address individual cases. For more information on the Department of Justice Court Services please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/Court_Services/

As the Court Officer (Judicial Support), you may coordinate and manage court hearings held in all levels of Court, provide support to the Judiciary, and act as the liaison between the Court, and members of law enforcement agencies, the legal profession, and the public. You will also act in the role of the clerk of the Court in all courts, including jury sittings and perform quasi-judicial duties assigned as a Staff Justice of the Peace as appointed under the Justice of the Peace Act. You will perform your duties in accordance with, and as assigned under, the Court Officials Act.

Primary Accountabilities

The Judicial Support responsibilities include:

• Communicate with legal professionals and self-represented individuals to co-ordinate and manage court hearings held at all levels of court.
• Provide confidential administrative and organizational support to the Judiciary.
• Act in the role of the clerk in all courts, including jury sitting and performing quasi- judicial duties as a Staff Justice of the Peace.
• Train and mentor new staff in day-to-day operational activities.
• Under the Judge’s direction, draft and prepare complex orders and decisions arising from court hearings, review and apply relevant acts, statutes, policies, and procedures to all court documentation.
• Record and transcribe court proceedings by means of electronic recording equipment.
• Facilitate all aspects of court hearings from opening court, calling cases, swear or affirm witnesses or interpreters and translators, while simultaneously operating all required technology that may be required to support virtual court or hybrid models of court or appearances.
• Exercise care and control of exhibits, including transportation, until transferred to the Exhibit Custodian.
• You may be required to perform duties in Court Administration.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must have two years of post-secondary education in a related discipline plus one-year related experience, ideally in a legal environment, or an acceptable equivalent.

The successful candidate must also:

• Have experience and competency in keyboarding (combination of speed and accuracy), data entry, transcribing, and other standard computer applications including MS Office products.
• Have experience with virtual platforms such as MS Teams and video conferencing.
• Possess excellent proofreading, spelling, and grammar skills.
• Have superior organizational abilities and strong prioritization skills
• Have excellent attention to detail
• Have the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Have tact and discretion.
• Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the Rules and Statutes that govern the courts as well as a sound working knowledge of legal documents, forms, court procedures and legal terminology.
• Demonstrate a high level of initiative and problem-solving abilities and readily accept responsibilities. Errors can result in significant impacts for justice system participants.
• Be fair and impartial to all clients using a high degree of confidentiality while exercising your excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly listening skills, when dealing with difficult people in complex, sensitive and stressful situations.

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

Legal research skills and bilingualism, with oral and written skills in English and French, would be considered assets.

Equivalency

Include, but not limited to:

• A 1-year certificate/diploma in a related discipline plus 2years of related experience
• 3 years of related experience with exposure to the justice system

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day (typically the hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, this may vary depending on operational needs).
• Your personal resiliency is essential to meet the emotional demands of this position. You may be immersed in high stress situations and encounter distraught and difficult individuals.
• Handling of some exhibits may be mentally or physically disconcerting.
• May involve extensive keyboarding as well as long hours sitting in a formal courtroom environment.

Additional Information

This competition is seeking to fill three (3) permanentemployment opportunity, located in Dartmouth, NS. Candidates may be required to obtain training in Firearms Safety in relation to handling evidence and may be required to successfully complete the Nova Scotia Certified Transcribers qualification. This position will require an enhanced level of security screening for an external application. Some travel and overtime may be required.

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 18- TE 22

Salary Range: $2,046.28- $2,826.01Bi-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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons 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].

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.