Closing Date: 04-Jul-24  (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program (DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of support and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

Are you ready to join a dynamic clerical team?

As a Secretary, you will be at the heart of our department's administrative engine, ensuring seamless operations and providing vital support to our staff.

You'll be the welcoming face at the front desk, assisting visitors and stepping in as a reliable backup for your fellow clerical team members. If you're enthusiastic about maintaining efficiency and making a positive first impression, we invite you to be a key part of our team.

Primary Accountabilities

This role is diverse, requiring your efficiency, confidentiality, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. Your contributions will be integral to meeting tight operational deadlines and ensuring the smooth flow of our operations. Key responsibilities of yours include:

• Maintaining and organizing files using the STAR/STOR system, ensuring information retrieval is swift and accurate.
• Document management, including faxing, copying, scanning, and filing.
• Responding to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) requests by promptly retrieving the necessary information to facilitate requests.
• Processing incoming and outgoing mail efficiently. 
• Responding to general inquiries and routing calls to the appropriate contacts.
• Ensuring discretion when typing a range of documents, including confidential correspondence and reports, and entering client notes into the Integrated Case Management System (ICM).
• Ensuring files and documentation are organized and up-to-date.
• Scheduling meetings and managing calendars to keep operations on track.

Qualifications and Experience

You will have a one (1) year business course plus a minimum of two (2) years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. 

You thrive in a team-oriented environment, readily stepping in to support colleagues and displaying a proactive approach. You are proficient in Microsoft programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, or equivalent office software. Your ability to navigate these tools efficiently is crucial to your role. You're comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced, challenging work environment and manage tasks effectively. Demonstrating a high degree of tact and diplomacy is second nature to you, especially when dealing with sensitive issues. Meticulous organization is your forte and your keen eye for detail ensures nothing slips through the cracks. You demonstrate an ability to build and maintain positive working relationships and collaborate effectively.

While not required, familiarity with the Integrated Case Management (ICM) system would be a valuable asset.

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

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to: 

• Three (3) years of related experience
• A related two (2) year diploma and one (1) year of experience
• A related bachelor's degree

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

Benefits

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

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting. Occasionally you may need to move or lift objects such as boxes or files. You will have daily contact with the public, various Government Departments as well as other local Agencies.

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. You may need to work flexible and adjusted work hours, as 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.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

The Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service (PPS) was established in 1990 as the first statutorily based independent prosecution service in Canada. The Public Prosecution Service is responsible for all prosecutions and appeals within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General.

With the guiding mission of providing fair and equal treatment in the prosecution of offences, the PPS prosecutes charges laid under the Criminal Code and under Nova Scotia statutes such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act.  The Head Office is in Halifax and there are regional offices located throughout the province.

The core functions of the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service are to:

• Represent the Crown in the conduct of criminal trials and quasi criminal appeals before all levels of courts.
• Participate in the development of criminal law and criminal prosecutions policy.
• Provide advice to police in respect of prosecutions generally or in respect of specific investigations

 
For more information on the Public Prosecution Service please visit the following link: https://novascotia.ca/pps/
 

About Our Opportunity

The Records Administrator works under limited supervision through case management, records management, and file management within the Public Prosecution Service on a daily basis.

In this extremely busy office, you would be responsible for creating, managing and tracking all Public Prosecution Service criminal files and creating linkages between charges in the Justice Enterprise Information Network (JEIN) data base and the Prosecution Information Composite System (PICS). Updating offender history reports to assist Crown Attorney decision making and links PPS case files with court processes.
 

Primary Accountabilities

The Records Administrator is responsible for:

• Accurate case file management including liaising with court administration staff to verify file endorsements
• Interacting with Crown Attorneys, support staff, other Justice partners, law enforcement agencies, court administrative staff, the criminal defense bar, general public, victims, witnesses and accused persons to provide information and assistance
• Consulting with Records Management professionals internally and externally in the application of the STOR/STAR records classification system and manages PPS files in compliance with policies, procedures and standards
   

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role you will have a high school diploma plus four years of records administration experience is required.  An acceptable equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.  Experience in MS Word and Outlook (or other electronic email system) and Internet use is required, as well as accurate typing, word processing and data entry skills.

The following are considered assets in this role:

• Exposure to the justice system and government services
• Experience with JEIN and PICS
• Working knowledge and understanding of the STAR/STOR central file management system or other central file management systems
• Working knowledge of the justice system, including the Criminal Code and other relevant legislation
• Experience working with legal documents and forms

As the successful candidate, you will have demonstrated experience in an automated environment, you will possess strong prioritization and problem-solving skills, along with sound judgment, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.  You will have strong attention to detail, prioritization and problem-solving skills, and organizational skills with the ability to combine speed and accuracy while under pressure to meet deadlines.

Lifting of heavy boxes, weighing approximately 25 - 30 pounds, is a requirement in this role.

All successful candidates must be able to pass appropriate background checks.

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

Equivalency

Includes, but not limited to:

• A two year office administration diploma in a related field plus two years of related experience

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

Benefits

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
• May be required to work overtime on occasion
• Extensive keyboarding
• Lifting heavy boxes weighing approximately 25 to 30 pounds
• Exposure to emotionally disturbing and graphic materials, e.g. photographic materials involving victims of crime
   

Additional Information

This position requires the successful candidate to work on-site.

This is a Permanent employment opportunity, located in Halifax
 

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
• Department specific flexible working schedules