Job Type: Permanent full-time
Location: Dartmouth, NS, CANADA
Job Title: Chief Inspector
Number of Positions: 1
Date Posted: June 28, 2024
Start date: As soon as possible
Compensation: Range $80,000 – $110,000 annual salary dependent on experience
Purpose
The Nova Scotia SPCA Chief Inspector position supports the Society’s objective to enforce legislation and by-laws the Society is contracted to administer throughout Nova Scotia.
The Chief Inspector plans, directs, organizes, coordinates, and evaluates animal protection, care & control activities including the enforcement of the Nova Scotia Animal Protection Act and other laws related to animal protection and the sheltering of animals; develops and implements animal control programs and field enforcement policies and assists with the coordination of activities with other departments and outside agencies. As this is a leadership role, it is imperative that the Chief Inspector shapes and promotes a positive work culture, fostering collaboration and communication among all staff.
Responsibilities
Depending upon the assignments, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Establishes, implements, and reviews goals and objectives for Animal Protection Staff; identifies resource needs; develops animal control policies and procedures required to meet the mission and vision of the Nova Scotia SPCA.
- Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides advice and assistance to staff; ensures adequate coverage of operations.
- Receives and responds to citizen and elected official complaints and inquiries as they pertain to Animal Protection Operations.
- Oversees and coordinates provincial and criminal investigations related to animal control and animal welfare issues.
- Researches and analyzes legislation related to animal protection and the sheltering of animals; evaluates the impact to the Nova Scotia SPCA operations and implements changes to policy, procedure, and practice; maintains a current understanding and knowledge of issues concerning animal control and the sheltering of animals.
- Oversees and coordinates enforcement activities related to the enforcement of the Nova Scotia Animal Protection Act, various municipal bylaws, and other animal welfare issues.
- As requested by the CEO, acts as liaison between the Nova Scotia SPCA and municipalities and outside agencies; represents the Nova Scotia SPCA at council meetings, community organizations, and related committees for animal protection matters.
- Assists with the development and monitoring of a divisional budget; reviews and authorizes requests for the purchase of new equipment and supplies.
- Actively be involved in animal protection training, public and partner relations, case file development and litigation support.
- At the request of the CEO, is the Society’s point of contact for emergency responders during a Provincial emergency response activity.
- Participates in the development of an SPCA Community Emergency Response Plan
- Performs other or related duties as assigned.
Legislated Duties & Requirements
Possess and maintain all the following duties and requirements, as outlined in the Animal Protection Act of Nova Scotia, specifically under Section 11 (1), Section 12 (1), (2), (3), Section 13 (1), (2) and Section 14 (1) and such requirements as outlined in the Chief Inspector Qualifications Regulations (N.S. Reg. 185/2019).
Qualifications & Required Skills
Key Skills and Competencies:
- Principles of administration, personnel management, and budgeting.
- Various methods, procedures, equipment, technology, and software related to animal control and the sheltering of animals.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Strong conflict resolution skills
- Computer literate
- Knowledgeable about the Canadian Judicial system
- Knowledge of the regulatory investigation and prosecution process
- Experience and proficiency with Investigative database usage and software programs such as Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience with report writing and statistics.
- Strong Interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with demonstrated team building and supervisory capabilities.
- Assertive leader who will take initiative.
- Comfortable around domestic and potentially fractious animals.
Ability to:
- Remain neutral, independent, and objective in all investigations.
- Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive work-related information.
- Handle multiple assignments by effectively planning, organizing, and prioritizing assignments (multi-tasking of work).
- Maintain exceptional tact, diplomacy, discretion, professionalism, and judgment in the exercise of decision making.
- Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise the operational functions of the Animal Protection Department.
- Train and evaluate subordinates.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with those within in the course of work.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Analyze and enforce local, Provincial, and federal laws related to animal control and the sheltering of animals. Respond to client/public inquiries and complaints and handle sensitive and confidential information in a trusted and responsible manner.
- Prepare and maintain investigation and legal records in an accurate, complete, and timely manner. Maintain information integrity, security, and confidentiality to an exceptional degree.
- Provide related education to the public, clients, staff, volunteers, other animal welfare organizations and law enforcement agencies and entities.
- Perform data entry and maintain performance statistics using provided electronic tools and applications using Microsoft office and CEIS or other database management software used by the Society.
- Work daily with animals of varying sizes and temperaments, including deceased, ill or injured animals, carrying, handling, and capturing individual animals in a safe, caring and respectful manner.
- Work in all weather conditions (cold, hot, rain, etc) and this position may require bending, lifting, and transporting animals in need.
- Work with other staff, volunteers, and the public in a positive, practical manner and be able to work with minimum supervision.
- Maintain and operate all job-related equipment, tools, and vehicles in a safe and reliable manner, and within the guidelines prescribed by the Society’s policies.
- Write cogent and concise reports and possess excellent presentation and communication skills (oral and written).
Formal Education, Training and Experience
- Ten years of paid full-time experience in the administration and operation of an animal care, enforcement, or control operation, including supervising, training, and reviewing the work of subordinate staff.
AND
- Completion of Grade Twelve (12) or equivalent.
- Completion of an Enforcement training from a recognized institution required (an equivalent combination of education and experience could be considered).
- Courses in safe handling of dogs/handling of dangerous dogs would be an asset.
- Valid NS Class 5 Driver’s license (or equivalent) with a safe driving record.
- Minimum of three (3) years’ related experience working in enforcement combined with a demonstrated ability to interpret legislation, and an understanding of the legal system and procedures involved with enforcement of legislation and its regulations.
- Possess a minimum of two (2) years dog handling experience.
Special Qualifications
Driver License:
Possession of a valid Canadian Driver License at the time of appointment. Loss of the License is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Background:
Must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check for job related convictions and be free of any criminal convictions.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The conditions are typically required of an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Work Conditions:
Must perform shift work as assigned, including days/evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Environmental Conditions:
Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting but could include exposure to various types of weather and unsanitary conditions, work around dead animals, excrement, animal fur, dander, disorganized and/or substandard houses; infectious, emotionally distressed and confrontational people and aggressive animals, chemical used to perform euthanasia and people who may be under influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Must be willing to obtain revaccination shots.
Physical Conditions:
Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, restrain, and capture animals between 60-70 pounds; walk, run, stand, or climb on slipper, even or uneven, and paved or unpaved surfaces as well as bend, step, squat, and crawl in small, low and/or confined areas.
Hours of Work
This position requires extensive travel and a varied, flexible work schedule. Hours of work will be a minimum of 40 per week, subject to budget limitations and complaint volume.
It is understood that the Chief Inspector must provide a clean drivers abstract, will be subject to a criminal background check and must be approved by the Minister of Agriculture and the Department of Justice for Peace Officer status.
Submission Requirement
Nova Scotia SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability. SPCA provides a competitive salary and a rewarding work environment. Interested applicants are asked to submit their resume and cover letter indicating salary expectations to emurphy@spcans.ca.
Please quote “Chief Inspector” in the subject heading in your email reply.
As a part of our hiring process, we require applicants to complete behavioural and cognitive assessments – please follow this link to complete:
https://assessment.predictiveindex.com/bo/5AM/Chief
We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at the Nova Scotia SPCA, however, only those selected for interview will be contacted.
