Judicial Assistant (Legal)

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

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.

Only applications submitted via this portal will be accepted. Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter. Instead, they are required to answer screening questions and provide the requested information through the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) online portal. As such, applicants must clearly demonstrate with specific and concrete examples, in their answers, how they meet the education and experience factors listed in the essential qualifications. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information, and as such, will be eliminated from the selection process.

While the Courts Administration Service pays their employees through Phoenix, we have in-house Compensation services which include direct access to a Compensation Advisor in Ottawa for timely resolution of any pay issues that arise.

1. Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.

2. You will be required to show how you demonstrate the essential qualifications (i.e. Education, Experience and/or Occupational Certification) for the initial screening through your résumé and in answering online screening questions. It is NOT sufficient to only state that the qualifications are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Rather you must clearly demonstrate HOW, WHEN, and WHERE the qualification was met through substantiation by examples. Information on your described skills, experience, etc. provided in the screening questions should be supported by your résumé. Failure to provide the above information in the format required may result in your application being rejected from the process.

3. If you do not fully complete the screening questions as instructed, you may be screened out.

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

5. Asset qualifications may be applied in this selection process.

6. Please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your résumé and/or application form (if applicable).

7. Please ensure that your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) is included in your application (if applicable).

Duties

You will be called upon to provide executive, administrative and legal support services, as well as office management services, to one or more Judges or Prothonotaries of the Federal Court. The duties include, but are not limited to:
• managing and coordinating the assignment schedule and agenda;
• providing logistical support and making travel and hospitality arrangements;
• planning, organizing and implementing arrangements for the appointments and attendance at meetings, committees and seminars;
• monitoring and submitting incidental, travel, and conference allowance claims in accordance with the applicable policy, directives and guidelines; and
• preparing, proofreading, editing and formatting legal and administrative documents.

Work environment

The Courts Administration Service (CAS) provides services to the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada.

The CAS’s mission is to provide timely and accurate registry, judicial and corporate services to the four superior courts and to their clients in the most innovative and effective manner, while promoting a healthy workplace and encouraging employees’ ongoing contribution to service delivery excellence.

Join our team in a work environment that fosters creativity and new ideas to improve our business practices and the quality of our services.

*Supporting the delivery of justice for all Canadians*

Intent of the process

A pool of pre-qualified or fully qualified candidates may be created to staff similar or identical positions with various tenure, various bilingual linguistic profiles and security requirements within the Courts Administration Service.

Positions to be filled: 4

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Completion of a post-secondary school program, certificate or diploma related to the position, such as a legal assistant certificate program OR an acceptable combination of education, training and experience related to the position.

Degree equivalency

Extensive (1) experience as a judicial or legal assistant or legal secretary in a legal, judicial or quasi-judicial environment (2).

Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Outlook and Excel.

Definitions:
(1) Extensive: refers to the depth and breadth of experience associated with the performance of a broad range of relevant activities which were primarily the candidate’s responsibility on a regular and continuous basis for a period of approximately three (3) years.
(2) Legal, judicial or quasi-judicial environment means:
i. A tribunal/court;
ii. an administrative tribunal/court;
iii. a legal office (law firm, community legal clinic); or
iv. a legal department within the public or private sector.

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

Completion of a post-secondary paralegal program.

Degree equivalency

Experience working for several members of the judiciary or lawyers at once, and juggling conflicting priorities and deadlines of these persons.

Experience in sharing knowledge with colleagues through coaching and mentoring.

Experience working with Microsoft Office Suites 2010 and 2016.

Experience in preparing and formatting documents to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Experience in transcribing information from voice recordings or handwritten notes or electronically transmitted legal texts or digital audio recordings.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (CCC/CCC)
And Bilingual Imperative CCB/CCB.

Information on language requirements

Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to proofread and revise legal documents for quality assurance.
Ability to manage multiple and conflicting priorities in a busy work environment.
Ability to make travel and accommodation arrangements.

Adaptability
Attention to detail
Effective interpersonal skills
Judgment
Reliability

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

Willing and able to work from 9:00 to 17:00.
The working hours may vary depending on the positions being staffed.
Willing and able to work overtime, often on short notice.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

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

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.