Trust Officer

The Opportunity:

The Public Guardian and Trustee of Saskatchewan requires a confident, well-organized, highly motivated, energetic and committed individual to assume the role of Trust Officer, Estate Services. The Estate Services Unit is responsible for administering deceased estates when there is no one else willing or able to do so.

Using your estate administration knowledge and experience, you will be responsible for:

• Identifying, securing and appropriately dealing with estate assets, debts and claims in accordance with relevant legal rules;
• Locating and determining beneficiaries/heirs who may be entitled to the estate under the Last Will and Testament and/or applicable law;
• Directly contributing to the tax planning process for assigned estates;
• Ensuring all income tax matters are dealt with within required deadlines;
• Creating and maintaining estate accountings;
• Preparing legal documents and court materials including applications for Letters of Administration or Letters Probate; and
• Directing Assistant Trust Officers with respect to the files.

Our candidate of choice will have excellent problem solving and analytical skills and the ability to accurately reference, interpret, and appropriately apply legal principles; policies, and guidelines relevant to estate administration. Knowledge of relevant legal, accounting, and tax principles and practices is critical to this position. The successful candidate will possess strong interpersonal and written communication skills and an ability to develop effective working relationships with beneficiaries, lawyers, and the general public including an ability to engage and calm individuals who may be grieving, angry or resistant. You may be required to attend residences of deceased individuals to locate a Last Will and Testament and to ensure valuable estate assets are secured.

Typically, the knowledge and skills required for this position would be obtained through relevant work experience and a post-secondary education that provides problem-solving and analytical skills, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant estate administration experience. Skills in critical thinking and research are an asset.

• Provide specialized administrative and program support for an assigned program, service area, or business unit.
• Review, verify, process, update, and track applications, files, forms, accounts, payments, transactions, records, and/or correspondence.
• Apply established legislation, regulations, policies, procedures, agreements, guidelines, program criteria, and business rules when processing work.
• Respond to client, stakeholder, colleague, agency, and/or public inquiries by providing program information, explaining requirements, and identifying next steps.
• Review information for completeness, accuracy, consistency, eligibility, compliance, and/or required action.
• Process financial, statistical, program, client, employee, or case-related information, including calculations, reconciliations, audits, and data checks.
• Enter, retrieve, update, verify, format, transmit, and/or maintain information in databases, spreadsheets, records systems, case management systems, online portals, and/or other business applications.
• Prepare, proofread, issue, and maintain correspondence, reports, forms, notices, decisions, records, checklists, tools, and other administrative or program documents.
• Identify and follow up on missing information, discrepancies, processing errors, service issues, or file/document concerns.
• Coordinate, confirm, exchange, and obtain information from internal and external contacts to support program administration and service delivery.
• Maintain hard copy and electronic records in accordance with records management, privacy, confidentiality, and program requirements.
• Organize, prioritize, and complete assigned work to meet program timelines, service standards, reporting requirements, and operational needs.

Job Capabilities:

As a public servant, we are seeking someone who:

• Is accountable, takes ownership of their work by contributing to organizational outcomes and demonstrates the corporate values in our Commitment to Excellence.
• Is innovative and seeks out ways for improvement by thinking creatively, identifying new ideas and taking responsible risks.
• Works collaboratively with others to understand, engage and have meaningful dialogue to achieve work outcomes.
• Is inclusive, identifies and is aware of personal bias, and readily seeks out and appreciates diverse perspectives.
• Is adaptable, continuously learns from experience and applies those learnings to new situations.
• Focuses on achieving public service excellence.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Identifying, securing and appropriately dealing with estate assets, debts and claims in accordance with relevant legal rules;
• Locating and determining beneficiaries/heirs who may be entitled to the estate under the Last Will and Testament and/or applicable law;
• Knowledge of estate tax planning;
• Creating and maintaining estate accountings;
• Preparing legal documents and court materials including applications for Letters of Administration or Letters Probate
  

Job Skills:

• Communication (Level B)
• Critical Thinking (Level B)
• Digital Skills (Level B)
• Interacting with Others (Level B)
• Navigating Ambiguity (Level B)
• Managing Self (Level B)
• Health, Safety and Wellness (Level A)
• Data Literacy (Level B)
• Influence (Level B)
• Political and Organizational Awareness (Level A)
• Managing Organizational Resources (Level B)
  

Learn more about the Government of Saskatchewan’s Capabilities and Skills Framework here.

What We Offer:

• Dynamic and challenging work
• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension
• Vacation, scheduled days off, and other types of leave
• Inclusive work environments
• Career growth, development, and advancement opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements

Our Commitment to Excellence:

The Government of Saskatchewan upholds deep-rooted values of Respect and Integrity, Serving Citizens, Excellence and Innovation, and Acting as One Team.

The Ministry of Education provides leadership and direction to Saskatchewan's education, early learning, library and literacy sectors. The ministry is committed to providing equitable and inclusive education, early years and library systems that benefit all learners. It foundationally places Indigenous knowledge systems, cultures and languages within structures, policies and curricula. The Ministry of Education is advancing reconciliation with early years, PreK-12 and library First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners by acknowledging our shared history to build a brighter future together. The Government of Saskatchewan provides the services, programs and supports the people of Saskatchewan need. We deliver on the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth to build a strong economy, strong communities and strong families, ultimately building a stronger Saskatchewan. Dedicated to service excellence, we demonstrate innovation, collaboration and transparency, practice effective and accountable use of resources and promote engagement and leadership at all levels.