Maintenance Enforcement Officer in Sydney

The Justice Supports and Services Division of the Department of Justice consists of three programs: each providing Nova Scotians access to critical programming and support. The Maintenance Enforcement Program helps to facilitate the payment of court-ordered child and spousal support; the NS Restorative Justice Program provides opportunities for those harmed by crime, the person who caused the harm and the communities affected to communicate (directly or indirectly) about the causes, circumstances, and impact of that crime, and to address their related needs. Victim Services offers support to victims of crime as their case moves through the justice system.

The Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) is a free service of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice that helps you make or receive court-ordered maintenance payments when your court order is enrolled with the program and can take steps to enforce maintenance orders when payments are not made. The MEP operates under the laws set out in the Maintenance Enforcement Act. Benefits of enrolling in the MEP include: we keep an accurate record of all payments made and received; we protect your personal information; we act as a buffer between payors and recipients; we work with the MEPs in other provinces if the payor or recipient lives outside Nova Scotia; and we can take enforcement action if payments are not made. No other than the MEP can enforce an order to pay maintenance.

As the Enforcement Officer, you will be supported by the Coordinator and in accordance with the Maintenance Enforcement Act, you will be responsible to exercise the authority of the Director of Maintenance Enforcement.

You Will Have The Authority To:

• Conduct traces and to search information to locate a payor and the payor's resources;
• Garnish/seize resources;
• Issue liens/judgements against resources;
• Request revocation of various provincial and federal licenses;
• Negotiate arrangements with the payor for payment of maintenance arrears based on analysis of detailed financial information;
• Represent the Director in court proceedings;
• Manage a large caseload which may include high conflict cases;
• Communicate on a regular basis with payors, recipients, lawyers, court staff, financial institutions, other government agencies and the business community;
• Respond to inquiries and requests for assistance from clients and stakeholders.

Act as a subject matter expert on a project to operationalize current processes into a Dashboard design and identify key process indicators that will align the day to day activities to our overall business goals.

Qualifications And Experience:

As the successful candidate you will have an undergraduate degree plus 5 years related experience (or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience). In addition, you hold the following training and work experience:

• Computer proficiency with the ability to utilize various databases to collect and process information;
• Work within a structured policy environment;
• Manage a high-volume case management assignment;
• Deal with the public on complex and sensitive issues;
• Conduct client interviews and assessments;
• Apply working knowledge and understanding of legislation, policies, procedures, and directives governing an operational program;
• Interpret/analyze financial information provided by clients;
• Exercise discretion, judgement, analytical and negotiation skills;
• High level, independent decision-making;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
• Ability to work within a team.

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.

Working Conditions:

• May be required to work overtime on occasion;
• Normal office environment, modern, automated office;
• May be exposed to distraught clients;
• Constant use of computer workstation and telephone for extended periods of time;
• Frequent interruptions; high volume of work;
• Must manage pressure in response to management and staff requests to meet deadlines;
• Required to handle and process several tasks concurrently;
• Challenge of a large caseload and high call volume, while ensuring cases are managed in compliance with policy and procedures.

This competition will be used to establish a Relief Roster. This roster will be used to fill multiple relief opportunities over the next several months. As a Relief employee flexibility is paramount, it is expected you will be available for shifts with short notice.

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.

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 competitions@novascotia.ca.

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:

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 concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.