License Compliance Analyst (Research and Statistical Officer 4)

About Us

The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (the Department) has a legislated mandate to manage, promote, support, and develop the fishing, aquaculture and seafood processing industries that contribute to the economic, environmental and social prosperity of Nova Scotia’s coastal and rural communities. We work to promote Nova Scotia as Canada’s premier fish and seafood province.

About Our Opportunity

The License Compliance Analyst, within the Marine Division, is at the center of the Department’s initiatives related to strengthened enforcement and deterrence of illegal fisheries activity, a top priority of the Department. The License Compliance Analyst reports to the Manager, Licensing and Registration, and is responsible for the development, implementation, and operation of a new and comprehensive compliance review program to assess fish buyers/processors licence holder's compliance with the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act and related regulations, policies, and conditions of licence. The License Compliance Analyst is responsible for leading the development of this complex task which will involve strong communication with multiple partners including the fishing/seafood industry.
 

The License Compliance Analyst will work closely with the Conservation Officer Service in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) who are responsible for enforcement under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act, as well as coordinate and liaise with other provincial and federal agencies. Using comprehensive industry knowledge and sector data obtained from industry reports and compliance activities, the License Compliance Analyst will contribute to the review of business plans and other documents in support of licence application reviews. This leadership role will influence and shape the Department's direction, will inform and advise senior leadership, and will shape future policy decisions related to the Department’s legislated mandate.

Primary Accountabilities

• Build an enforcement program that currently does not exist and develop the methodology and schedule to review records, reports and other information that are required to be kept and submitted by fish buyers and processors licence holders.
• Determine data requirements and design collection procedures to gather and analyze data, ensuring accurate and privacy-compliant collection, storage, access and retrieval. Develop report templates to communicate compliance review findings.
• Select licences for compliance review and request records, financial statements, and other information from licence holders. Acquire information by mail, electronically, or in-person at business locations.
• Regularly travel in the Province to obtain documents and conduct compliance reviews. May be accompanied by a DNR Conservation Officer.
• Review/analyze third-party audits and other reports to identify non-compliances for referral to Conservation Officers.
• Summarize and interpret information and make recommendations to senior management to provide informed advice on policy decisions from audit reports. Prepare and submit written reports containing a summation of all facts and details found in singular compliance reviews and those conducted over a certain period and/or for a certain sub-sector of the industry. Written reports may be complex and will commonly shape the direction of the Department, leading to change in Departmental policy.
• Provide information and guidance to licensees and their professional representatives, regarding their mandated requirements.
• Conduct education sessions for licensees to promote compliance.
• Work closely with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources to develop compliance strategies and operational plans and chair structured meetings to lead and coordinate information gathering activities and information exchange.

Primary Accountabilities Continued

• Liaise with other government agencies such as, but not limited to, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and other provincial fisheries and compliance agencies to support the development of information sharing agreements and collaborative operational plans. Represent DFA/the Province of Nova Scotia - including its legislated mandate as it pertains to fish buying/fish processing - at various roundtables/working groups, establishing MOUs with these federal and provincial departments and agencies and ensuring the MOUs remain relevant and best serve the Department.
• Create scheduled analysis of data that does not currently exist and will involve ongoing changes/improvements.
• Carry out analyses of fish buyer/processor and other relevant data and create data outputs to help inform policy decisions that support the industry.
• Support the Licensing Coordinator with tasks related but not limited to, processing licence applications, compiling and maintaining datasets, when necessary.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this role, you will hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as accounting or finance, plus 7 years of experience in compliance monitoring/auditing; or a master’s degree in a related field, such as accounting or finance, plus 5 years of experience in compliance monitoring/auditing.

The successful candidate must work well under pressure, possess strong analytical skills, and demonstrate the ability to work independently to ensure the delivery of departmental programs and services. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills are essential to effectively interact and converse with diverse groups and individuals from industry stakeholders, government organizations, and the public. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. They must be administratively self-sufficient with strong computer skills in spreadsheets, word processing, data management and presentation packages.

Experience in fisheries-related work, auditing against regulatory frameworks, and forensic accounting, and designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), are considered assets.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. 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 is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. May be required to work overtime on occasion.

This position will be required to occasionally travel throughout the province; therefore, the incumbent must have access to a personal vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license.

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