Legal Assistant

Important messages

To apply for this process, you:
- Do not need to provide a cover letter (just a résumé);
- Answer screening questions online. (Your answers to the screening questions will be assessed against the resume that you submit. Any noticeable information that cannot be supported by your resume will be deemed invalid and may result in your application being screened-out from this process.)

Tips for applicants:
- Please provide complete and thorough details of your education and experience.
- Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each Experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided.
- Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the process.

Persons with a disability preventing them from applying on-line should contact us at 1-800-645-5605.

Work environment

Are you interested in an exciting career as a Legal Assistant or position with similar duties working for the largest law firm in Canada? The Department of Justice offers an inclusive environment, a variety of learning and professional development opportunities for career progression, and competitive compensation, including pension and a full range of benefits. Your professionalism and results oriented attitude will be recognized and rewarded with challenging opportunities in this team-oriented workplace.

Duties:
• Prepares and processes a variety of legal and non-legal documents.
• Organizes and maintains legal files.
• Locates and retrieves case law and carries out file and registry and database searches for counsel.
• Handles correspondence and inquiries related to legal files.
• Provides administrative support services.

The Department of Justice is often described as Canada's largest and most prestigious law firm. The Department makes and upholds federal laws and is the guardian of the Canadian justice system. By setting for itself the highest standards of integrity, fairness and professionalism, the Department of Justice has earned a reputation as a leader within the legal community.

No matter what your expertise, you will benefit from Justice Canada's supportive atmosphere, its emphasis on training and mentoring, and the ability to balance the personal and professional aspects of your life.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates will be established and may be used to staff similar, term and/or indeterminate positions, acting, or assignments/secondments situations with various tenures, and security levels at the Department of Justice.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Recent* experience providing legal secretarial support to legal counsel working in civil litigation.

*Recent experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience obtained over a period of approximately one (1) year within the last four (4) years.

Experience working with legal terminology and standardized court documents in civil litigation.

Experience using MS Word and Outlook, or using similar software applications.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

A diploma or certificate from a recognized Canadian legal secretary program.

*Candidates who do not have a legal assistant certificate may be accepted on the basis of relevant work experience and / or education.

Degree equivalency

Knowledge of general office procedures.

Knowledge of legal procedures and practices related to litigation in British Columbia.

Communication (Oral): Verbally exchanges information clearly, concisely and accurately to communicate appropriately with a target audience.

Communication (Written): Writes clear, concise and accurate documents that communicate appropriately to the target audience.

Initiative: Undertakes new work activities without prompting or specific direction, and acts appropriately to achieve positive results.

Organization: Effectively organizes work and prioritizes activities.

Thoroughness: Pays attention to detail; and produces high quality work.

Dependability: Consistently demonstrates professionalism and a solid work ethic. Demonstrated regular and punctual attendance.

Judgment: Respects the confidential nature of information and deals with appropriate authorities; identifies available alternatives, selects the best alternative and acts appropriately.

Thinking Skills: Identifies and analyses problems and situations drawing logical conclusions and viable solutions.

Interpersonal Relations: Interacts with others in ways that advance the work of the group or the organization by developing respect, mutual understanding and productive working relationships.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Graduation with a degree from a recognized university.

Successful completion of two (2) years of a post-secondary school program with acceptable specialization in paralegal studies.

Degree equivalency

Recent and significant** experience providing legal secretarial support to legal counsel in civil litigation.

**Recent and significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience obtained over a period of approximately 2 years within the last 4 years.

Experience providing legal secretarial support to multiple legal counsel working in various levels of court litigation including BC Supreme Court, Tax Court of Canada, Federal Court and/or Supreme Court of Canada.

Experience corresponding and liaising with a regulatory investigative agency (i.e. Canada Revenue Agency).

Experience corresponding and liaising with an enforcement agency (i.e. RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency).

Experience working in Aboriginal Law.

Experience working in Tax Law.

Experience working in Business & Regulatory Law.

Experience working with Ringtail.

Experience working in the Federal Public Service.

Experience working in the Department of Justice.

Experience providing legal support to a legal team preparing for or during a civil litigation trial or administrative hearing.

Knowledge of Land Title Office procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:

The Department of Justice is committed to maintaining a representative workforce reflective of Canadian society. In support of achieving a diversified workforce and our employment equity goals, qualified candidates who self-declare in a staffing process as members of Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and/or women may be selected for appointment to fulfill organizational needs.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability and willingness to work overtime when required.

Ability and willingness to travel when required.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Reliability or Secret security clearance (depending on the position or as required).

Other information

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

Proof of education must be submitted at the interview. Failure to do so may result in you not being considered further in the selection process.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position. Candidates may be required to meet the other qualifications (may be needed for the job) or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Selection decision may be based on the level, breadth or degree of qualifications.

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

Successful candidate(s) must meet and maintain the Conditions of Employment throughout their employment.

Candidates from outside the federal public service may be required to pay for their own travel and relocation expenses.

The Department of Justice encourages persons with priority entitlements to self-refer to our selection processes in circumstances where they believe that they meet the essential qualifications of the advertised position.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.