Counsel (Inventory)

Important messages

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

The inventory will be updated every 90 days. You will receive a notice in your applicant account 14 days before the end of your active period to determine whether or not you wish to keep being considered for an additional 90 days.

There are two steps in the application process:
1) You must apply online at www.canada.ca/government-jobs.

2) You must send your last official transcript available, of your grades achieved in law studies by EMAIL to: . Otherwise, your application may be rejected.

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

Your résumé must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Your answer to the questionnaire 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.

Work environment

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. It is an unrivalled repository of Canadian legal skill and knowledge. Since Confederation, the Department has worked diligently to ensure Canada is a just and law-abiding society with an accessible, efficient and fair system of justice. 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. A career with us is your opportunity to add to, and benefit from, this tradition of excellence.

Intent of the process

Depending on the needs of the organization, candidates will be randomly selected from the inventory for assessment purposes. 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)

Education:
Bachelor of Law degree

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. This will enable you to provide proof of Canadian equivalency when applying for a job in the public service. The public service will accept any Foreign Educational Credentials as long as they are deemed comparable to Canadian standards, through a recognized credential assessment service (http://www.cicic.ca/415/credential-assessment-services.canada).

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience in drafting legal documents required in the conduct of litigation.

Experience in conducting legal research and analysis, including using computerized databases.

Recent* experience in litigation (i.e.as a lawyer, an articling student or as a law clerk to a judge).

*Recent means experience acquired within the last 18 months.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Occupational Certification:
Eligibility for membership in the Law Society of British Columbia

Knowledge:
Knowledge of court rules and procedures of the Tax Court of Canada or the British Columbia Supreme Court or the Federal Court of Canada

Knowledge of the responsibilities and mandate of the Attorney General of Canada.

Knowledge of general principles of public law

Written Communication: Presents and discusses legal concepts and issues in a clear, concise and effective manner in writing.

Oral Communication: Presents and discusses legal concepts and issues in a clear, concise and effective manner orally.

Judgment: Identifies available alternatives, selects the best alternatives and acts appropriately; makes appropriate decisions which are logical and practical.

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

Effective Interpersonal Relationships: Interacts with others in ways that develops respect, mutual understanding and productive working relationships; responsibly contributes value to the work of the team; undertakes efforts to keep all team members informed and up-to-date about the work of the group.

Initiative: Initiates changes by acting to improve an existing situation and proactively takes positive actions to influence events and achieve desired results rather than passively accepting the status quo. Undertakes new work activities without specific direction where appropriate.

Professionalism: Performs in a professional manner at all times; maintains effectiveness and composure in stressful situations; takes personal responsibility in meeting targets or deadlines.

Thoroughness: Pays attention to details, produces high quality work.

Values and Ethics: Treats people with fairness, integrity, dignity and honours commitments. Demonstrates, through words and actions, the core values and ethics of the Department of Justice that form the basis for all action; demonstrates personal commitment to these values and ethics and follows the code of conduct.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:
Strong academic standing in Law School
Masters of Laws (LL.M.) degree.

Degree equivalency

Experience and/or knowledge of the legal framework in one or more of the following areas:
-Fisheries law;
-Administrative law;
-Immigration law;
-Corrections law;
-Policing law;
-Tort law;
-Bankruptcy and insolvency law;
-Debt collection;
-Debtor-Creditor law;
-Income Tax Act;
-Excise Tax Act;
-Employment Insurance Act;
-Property and commercial law;
-Aboriginal law;
-Class actions.
Experience working at a court or tribunal.
Experience in the conduct of interlocutory motions, tribunal hearings, judicial reviews or trials.
Experience in the conduct of examinations for discovery.
Experience in the conduct of alternative dispute resolution processes.
Experience in the conduct of mediations or judicial settlement conferences.

Knowledge of recent and significant case law and its impact on litigation practices and 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
Willingness and ability to travel as required.
Willingness and ability to work overtime as required.
Membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia.

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Reliability or Secret security clearance (depending on the position or as required).
Membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia.

Other information

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A written examination may be administered.

A role play may be administered.

Proof of citizenship will be required.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

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

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.

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.

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

In order to manage the number of applications in the selection process, management may use top-down consideration of scores at various steps in the process, to determine the number of candidates who will be further considered in the process.

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

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.