Senior Investigator

OFFICE OF THE OMBUD
Senior Investigator
Pay Band 6 - Full time
Open Competition/Secondment Opportunity
Fredericton/Dieppe

ABOUT THE OFFICE

The Office of the Ombud for New Brunswick is seeking to fill the position of Senior Investigator. This is a full-time permanent position; secondments will be considered. This competition may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates, which could be used to staff similar positions with various linguistic profiles and requirements and various tenures.

The Ombud is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly, who assists people and public sector organizations with their concerns by conducting impartial investigations, making recommendations, and providing guidance to ensure people are treated in a consistent, fair, and reasonable manner and that their rights to information and privacy are protected. The Ombud can investigate complaints involving provincial government departments and other public sector organizations, as well as organizations that may hold personal health information.

The majority of the workload within the Office is associated with complaints related to Administrative Fairness (where someone believes they have not been treated fairly by a public sector organization) and complaints related to Information and Privacy (where someone believes a public sector organization has not responded properly to an access to information request or that the privacy of their personal information has not been protected). Some employees are assigned to operational support functions needed to ensure that the Office can fulfill its mandates.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US

By joining Ombud NB, you will be part of a dedicated team focused on promoting fairness, transparency and accountability in the public sector. You will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by strengthening the public's trust in the provincial public sector across New Brunswick.

We offer a supportive and rewarding work environment complemented by a comprehensive benefits package. This includes paid vacation and sick leave, a health and dental plan, life insurance, long-term disability coverage, and participation in the Public Service Shared Risk Pension Plan. Employees also have access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), providing valuable services to support their well-being.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a respected office that plays a vital role in ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in the public sector across New Brunswick ¿ join us!

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Senior Investigator (SI) is responsible for conducting investigations or audits and monitoring progress on Ombud recommendations stemming from these investigations or audits. Investigations and audits can result in public reports and represent some of Ombud NB's most challenging and publicly visible work.

The Senior Investigator's main responsibilities are to conduct investigations on behalf of the Ombud, prepare draft reports and recommendations, and conduct monitoring and audits. These functions must be exercised in accordance with the Ombud's responsibility to conduct her work with fairness, impartiality and independence and to ensure confidentiality surrounding the investigative process. To accomplish these responsibilities, the Senior Investigator is required to:

• Conduct research, solicit additional information required, analyse voluminous and complex information, and review legislation, policies, standards and other relevant documentation;
• Develop investigation or audit plans, interview guides and conduct and document interviews;
• Participate in briefings and share the results of investigations with parties if required;
• Build an effective network and working relationships with management and executive levels within various public sector organizations;
• Identify innovative solutions within the legal and policy framework, as well as the authority of the organizations they are dealing with.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in a cover letter the following essential qualifications to be given further consideration.

Education

University degree in social sciences, human rights, law, social work, health, public or business administration, or other field relevant to the work of the Office, and a minimum of five years of related work experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Experience

• Experience in interpreting legislation and policies, conducting research and analysis, and providing advice or recommendations to senior management
• Experience in drafting briefing notes and reports intended for senior management and/or stakeholders
• Experience in leading multi-faceted projects independently, and as part of a team environment
• Experience working in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment
• Experience conducting investigations and/or working in an investigative environment

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

Preference may be given to candidates that indicate in a cover letter that they demonstrate one or more of the following asset qualifications, in addition to the essential qualifications:

• Experience working in mediation or conflict resolution
• Experience collaborating with marginalized individuals
• Experience in conducting fact-finding interviews
• Experience working with new technologies related to investigative techniques

SELECTION CRITERIA

As part of the selection process, candidates will be assessed on the following:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the role, responsibilities, and mandates of the Office of the Ombud

Competencies

• Analytical Thinking/Judgment
• Conceptual Thinking
• Effective Interactive Communication
• Flexibility
• Information Seeking
• Relationship / Network Building
• Self-confidence

Abilities

• Ability to analyze information, appropriately interpret legislation and policy, and draw conclusions to solve problems effectively
• Ability to manage time effectively and utilize organizational skills
• Ability to formulate a course of action to meet specific goals and objectives
• Ability to appropriately plan and prioritize responsibilities to ensure performance targets are met, as well as obligations on project teams
• Ability to conduct research including consulting with colleagues in other jurisdictions, subject-matter experts, etc.
• Ability to interview parties who may be very emotionally engaged or extremely reticent and/or cooperative
• Ability to develop well-researched and compelling reasoning and arguments supporting their advice and recommendations that will have a positive impact on the outcome of the issues being investigated
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner at a language adapted to the reader

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The position requires competence in English. Language proficiency may be assessed by administering the Government of NB Language Proficiency Evaluation. Candidates who have recently undergone this evaluation (within the last two years) may provide a copy of their evaluation results.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Successful candidates will be required to:

• have a valid New Brunswick driver's licence
• undergo criminal history and security checks prior to appointment
• undertake an oath of office related to the specific obligations of the Ombud, namely with regard to impartiality and confidentiality of information

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
Location: The position will be located in Fredericton or Dieppe.

Salary: Pay Band 6 - Management and Non-Union Pay Plan, $2,991 to $3,979 biweekly, depending upon education and experience.

Employment Equity: We are striving to build a diverse team to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of the people of New Brunswick. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons of all races and ethnicities, religions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Individuals interested in applying for this position must send a cover letter indicating how they meet the essential qualifications for this position and an updated resume no later than January 2nd, 2026 by email to:[email protected] .

For more information and/or a copy of the job description, please contact Amy Cronkhite at (506) 453-2789 or by email.

We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.