Director, Court Services

Nova Scotia; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 136,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health plan

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Vacation time

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Government of Nova Scotia's Court Services Division seeks a Director, Court Services, to oversee the province-wide operations of courthouses and program delivery. You will report to the Executive Director and join the Senior Management Team to ensure policies and activities align with strategic goals, while maintaining judicial independence and service excellence.

The role requires a university degree in a relevant discipline and substantial senior management experience in the public sector or

Qualifications

• A university degree in law, public administration or business administration, with several years of progressive management experience at a senior level.
• A law degree and experience as a lawyer would be an asset.
• Experience in finance, HR, facilities, project management, program and service development and delivery, legislative/regulatory development, policy development, and planning.

Responsibilities

• Ensure cost-effective provision of court services and help shape the Division's strategic vision.
• Provide strategic and operational direction to staff and maintain strong relationships with advisors and judiciary.
• Foster teamwork in planning, service improvements and problem solving within the Division.
• Lead delivery of programs and services for the courts while upholding judicial independence.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders with diverse interests.
• Coordinate and review new or amended legislation, policies, and programs in court services.
• Oversee family and/or criminal law programs and services province-wide.
• Manage externally funded programs under MOUs and report on activities.
• Participate in federal/provincial/territorial committees and task groups.

Skills

Finance

Human resources

Facilities

Project management

Program development

Policy development

Program evaluation

Planning

Intergovernmental involvement

Analytical thinking

Education

Law degree

Public administration/Business administration degree

Job description

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Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date:24-Sep-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 system 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, Family 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 .

About Our Opportunity

As Director, Court Services, you report to the Executive Director and are a member of the Division’s Senior Management Team, which is accountable to ensure the Division’s policies, procedures and activities support its strategic goals. In this position, you are responsible for the overall operation and management of courthouses and program delivery across the province.

Primary Accountabilities

• Ensure the cost-effective provision of court services to a varied client base and help shape the corporate vision of the Division;
• Motivate and provide strategic and operational direction to staff, and maintain close working relationships with staff, senior government officials, the judiciary and the legal community;
• Create and maintain a team approach to planning, service improvements and problem solving in the Division;
• Lead the delivery of programs, services and support to the courts, while ensuring judicial independence is respected;
• Take the lead in developing and sustaining strong relationships with clients, and stakeholders with widely divergent interests;
• Co-ordinate, develop, implement, and review new or amended legislation, policy, procedure, and program development in all areas of court services;
• Responsible for family and/or criminal law matters and has specific responsibilities to lead delivery of provincial and court-based family and/or criminal law programs and services throughout the province;
• Manage Externally Funded Programs delivered under Memoranda of Understanding and report on activities.
  
• Participate in the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Committees, Sub-committees, and Task Groups.
  

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you hold a hold a university degree in an appropriate discipline, i.e. law, public administration, business administration, in addition to several years of progressive management experience at a senior level, in the public service or justice system. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
You also have experience in several of the following areas: finance, human resources, facilities, project management, program and service development and delivery, legislative and regulatory development, policy development, program evaluation, planning, and intergovernmental involvement. Furthermore, you are also highly motivated and achievement-oriented, can analyze and problem-solve effectively, and work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.
A law degree and previous experience as a lawyer would be considered an asset.
The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviors and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains include Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions, and Systems Transformation.
Please follow LEADS for more information.
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.

Equivalency

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

Based on the employment status, 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
• Travel throughout, and occasionally outside, Province is required
• Will work under time pressure and with competing priorities
• Will work in a dynamic environment of varying complexity and in a constant state of change
  

Additional Information

This is a permanent position, based in Halifax, NS.

What We Offer

• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus
  

Pay Grade:EC 15

Salary Range:$5,229.78- $6,537.21Bi-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].

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

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 concernsmay be directed [e-mail].