Paralegal (EC-02 Inventory)

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Persons with a disability who require accommodations with the on-line application process should contact the Public Service Commission at 1-800-645-5605.

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.

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.
- Your responses may be used to assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing.

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.

The inventory will be updated every 90 days. You will receive a notice in your applicant account 7 days before the end of your active period to determine whether or not you wish to keep being considered for an additional 90 days.

Duties

Under the guidance of a legal professional, paralegals perform a variety of tasks in different areas of law, including research, compiling documents, drafting various procedures, creating court files, providing assistance for some trials, dealing with clients, and organizing information from clients and governmental or other institutions.

Work environment

The work of a paralegal is multi-faceted, stimulating and enriching. Paralegals working for the Department of Justice have an opportunity to gain valuable work experience with Canada’s single largest legal organization. The working conditions and the experienced teams are assets for those who like challenges.

At the Department of Justice, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and dynamic team-oriented workplace where your drive for results can be recognized and rewarded with challenging opportunities.

You will have the opportunity to increase your experience and expertise, benefit from a healthy work-life balance and a positive workplace where we support and encourage the wellness and mental health of our employees. At the Department of Justice, we also offer a supportive work environment, competitive compensation, a pension and full range of benefits.

Are you ready for a new challenge? Apply online today for an opportunity to join our legal team.

Intent of the process

Depending on the needs of the organization, candidates may 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.

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

ED.1 Successful completion of two years of post-secondary school program with acceptable specialization in paralegal studies or in a law-related field from a recognized institution or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EX.1 Experience in providing support services (paralegal or legal assistant) to legal practitioners (counsel, paralegals, notaries). Experience can be gained through, among others, student work, apprenticeship, volunteer activities.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

AED.1 Paralegal or Law Clerk degree or diploma or certificate or diploma of collegial studies (DCS) in paralegal studies from a recognized institution.

AED.2 Graduation from a recognized university with an acceptable specialization in law, political science, public administration or social sciences

Degree equivalency

AEX.1 Experience providing civil litigation support services (paralegal or legal assistant) to legal practitioners (counsel, paralegals, notaries) in a government context.

AEX.2 Experience providing civil litigation support services as a legal assistant to legal practitioners (counsel, paralegals, notaries). Experience is defined as over a period of approximately two years within the last five years OR at least six (6) months of experience providing paralegal services in a civil litigation law practice, which may include experience obtained during a paralegal practicum.

AEX.3 Experience in working with a litigation support software such as Ringtail or Summation to organize and review large volumes of documents/information.

AEX.4 Experience in working on national security litigation files.

AEX.5 Experience in aboriginal law.

AEX.6 Experience in property law.

AEX.7 Experience in personal injury law.

AEX.8 Experience in immigration law.

AEX.9 Experience in tax law.

AEX.10 Experience in the debt collection.

AEX.11 Experience in the bankruptcy and insolvency law.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative: BBB/BBB, CBB/CBB, CCB/CCB, CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

K.1 Knowledge of civil litigation rules, procedures and practices as it relates to the Federal Court or applicable provincial superior courts.

C.1 Demonstrating Integrity and Respect
C.2 Thinking Things Through
C.3 Working Effectively with Others
C.4 Showing Initiative and Being Action-Oriented

A.1 Ability to identify and analyse factual and legal issues.
A.2 Ability to plan, organize and work effectively under pressure.

PS.1 Oral Communication: Presents and discusses ideas, concepts and issues in a clear, concise, and effective manner orally.
PS.2 Written Communication: Presents and discusses ideas, concepts and issues in a clear, concise, and effective manner in writing.

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

AK.1 Knowledge of privilege issues as they relate to Crown litigation.
AK.2 Knowledge of the Government Security Policy and the handling of designated and classified documents.
AK.3 Knowledge of the litigation process, including document collection, analysis and organization.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

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.

Willingness and ability to travel as required.
Willingness and ability to work overtime as required.

Conditions of employment

Various security clearance levels such as reliability, secret and top secret.

Medical Clearance* for positions located in the Department of Justice, Northern Regional Offices (Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit) only.

*The incumbent and his/her dependents may be required to obtain Health Canada medical clearance in accordance with the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

We will only accept on-line applications received via the jobs.gc.ca site.

CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR MISSING INFORMATION.

Proof of education, in the form of a diploma, degree, or official transcripts, will be requested at the assessment stage of this process. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

Proof of citizenship will be required.

A written test may be administered.

Interviews may be administered.

Reference checks may be administered.

As part of the selection process, the use of online, innovative tools may be used for testing purposes. As a result, selected candidates will require access to a device that has internet capabilities.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required and to update their personal information when it changes. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Time sensitive correspondence may be transmitted via e-mail and it will be the candidate's responsibility to ensure they check their e-mail regularly. Failure to respond to communications may result in elimination from this process.

Testing/interviews will be conducted at locations of the employer's choice and may require candidates to travel to the test/interview location. Please note that candidates (including employees of the Public Service) will not be considered to be in travel status or on government business and that travel costs will not be reimbursed. Consequently, candidates will be responsible for travel costs.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

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.

For Current Federal Public Service employees:

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level, your employment status, and Personal Record Identifier (PRI) on your application.

Employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for deployment or secondment.

An assignment or acting appointment or secondment requires approval of your supervisor.

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.