Administrative Assistant ; Court and Sheriff Services

Administrative Assistant 2 (Court and Sheriff Services)

Competition #: 49348

Department: Justice

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 28-Jul-26

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, 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:

As an Administrative Assistant, you will report to the Director and will support the routine day‑to‑day operational management of the office of the division by serving as a resource for the Director and staff. You will also contribute to the development of administrative process improvements/standards to meet the division/department standards.

• Prepare routine and non‑routine correspondence, memos, reports etc.;
• Assess and assign priority to mail and e‑mail, redirecting and/or answering as appropriate;
• Identify urgent items for the attention of the Director or others;
• Develop and prepare professional presentations and reports;
• Coordinate and control the Director’s electronic calendar;
• Coordinate/arrange meetings and travel accommodations;
• Prepare agendas, and accurate minutes/notes, ensuring senior leadership decisions are recorded;
• Identify urgent items for the attention of the Director;
• Maintain filing and retrieval systems, keeping manuals and reference materials current;
• Perform reception duties for the division, when required;
• Respond and direct incoming calls, emails, and inquiries;
• Update information for the division including the website, business plan, accountability framework, when required;
• Assist with coordinating the division’s budget, monitor forecast documents, order and receive goods and process invoices for payment;
• Handle divisional financial transactions and ensures proper procurement procedures are followed;
• Train, assign work, and mentor new employees or administrative staff when appropriate;
• Other related duties as assigned

As the successful candidate you will have a one‑year secretarial or commercial course along with at least three years of related clerical/administrative experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

You will have a good knowledge of office practices and procedures and a comprehensive knowledge of divisional functions.

You will be proficient in typing, word processing and other standard computer applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and internet use. You will demonstrate the ability to multi‑task, prioritize your work and you will be skilled with managing electronic filing systems. You will be organized and adaptable in a fac‑paced environment, be a strong team player, have good interpersonal skills, be sensitive to the needs of clients and display tact, sound judgement, and able to exercise discretion and confidentiality.

Effective verbal and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work independently are essential in this role.

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.

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, :
Benefits for government…