Assistant Director, SIRT

Department: Justice

Location: Fredericton, NB

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 09-Nov-23 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) independently investigates all serious incidents which arise from the actions of police in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. SiRT’s mandate is to investigate all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and domestic violence or other matters of significant public interest. There does not have to be an allegation of wrongdoing. If an incident meets the SiRT's mandate, the SiRT will conduct a thorough and objective investigation to determine what happened. At the conclusion of every investigation, the Director of the SiRT will determine whether criminal charges should result from the actions of the police officer. SiRT is independent of the police and government. The Director of SiRT is a civilian and is responsible for the general direction of all investigations. This ensures a more transparent and independent way to investigate serious incidents involving police. The SiRT recently opened an office in New Brunswick.

For more information on the Serious Incident Response Team please visit our website: https://sirt.novascotia.ca/

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director in charge of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), the Assistant Director will be part of a civilian led team responsible for investigating incidents under Section 26 of the Nova Scotia Police Act and Section 24 of the New Brunswick Police Act. This includes incidents or allegations involving serious injury, death, or sexual assault of any person, domestic violence, or any matter of public interest, that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer.

Primary Accountabilities

The Assistant Director is accountable to oversee and review investigations conducted by the SiRT to ensure impartiality, objectivity, independence, high investigative standards, and the completeness of investigative reports in a timely and expeditious manner. The Assistant Director is also accountable to promote, foster and create a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment and team to lead and foster the development of relationships in diverse communities. Other accountabilities include:

• Responsible to conduct investigations into all matters that fall within section 26 of the Nova Scotia Police Act and section 24 of the New Brunswick Police Act.
• Provide legal oversight and management, advice, and opinion on a variety of matters including warrants and wiretap authorizations.
• Provide legal advice and opinion, direction, and guidance on investigative files.
• Manage operations in New Brunswick at the direction of the Director by assisting with establishing policies and practices for daily operation of the unit to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of investigative, administrative, and professional programs and services.
• Lead and supervise SiRT staff by direct supervision of Team Commanders and seconded officers. Indirect supervision of police and support staff.
• Liaise with municipal Chiefs of Police and Commanding Officer of “J” Division of RCMP as required.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships between the SiRT and a broad range of community groups, police services, media liaisons, other stakeholders, and the public.
• Ensures public confidence in SiRT’s independence

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you hold a Bachelor of laws degree with experience in criminal law. The successful applicant will have experience in managing major case files. The Assistant Director must understand and exercise the proper use of discretion. They must have knowledge and a sound understanding of law enforcement principles and techniques; and federal and provincial legislation, statutes, regulations, and policies related to law enforcement. The incumbent will possess excellent administrative, organizational, management, mediation and conflict resolution skills and be able to provide leadership to investigative staff in a high energy and sometimes challenging working environment. To ensure there is no perception of bias, the Assistant Director must not be and must never have been a police officer in any jurisdiction.

The Assistant Director must demonstrate good judgement, integrity, objectivity, tact, and strong ethical values. You also possess excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and demonstrate understanding and sensitivity to the needs of all persons involved in the investigative process and to the public and its communities.

Bilingualism (English/French) is required.

Candidates will be assessed for the above qualifications 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.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

This position may involve irregular working hours, including nighttime and weekend work; and, considerable travel, at times during inclement weather. The incumbent will be required to hold a valid driver’s license and pass all appropriate background clearance checks.

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.

Salary Range: $6,277.51 - $6,779.71 Bi-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 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.

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.

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 Competitions@novascotia.ca.