LP-02 Counsel 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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

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.

Applications will be pulled from the system and considered in the following order:
January 14, 2019
March 11, 2019
May 31, 2019 (final pull, inventory is closed)

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.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate candidates.

Please note that if your application is screened in, a work sample will be requested to assess your written communication. You will be required to confirm that you were solely or principally responsible for the work sample you provide. Examples of a suitable work sample include: factum, written argument, legal opinion, case comment, journal article etc.

Work environment

In addition to regular litigation positions in Vancouver, positions in Victoria are being staffed for the purpose of an Aboriginal rights and title claim that is set for a 300 day hearing in the BCSC commencing in 2019. Counsel hired in Victoria will form a core part of the litigation team for the duration and will be dedicated to trial work, including witness and document preparation, research and occasional court appearances. A Department of Justice satellite office will be established in Victoria for the duration of the trial and will consist of paralegals and legal assistants in addition to counsel. Litigation team members from Vancouver will work out of the Victoria satellite office on a rotating basis as well.

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.

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, linguistic profiles and security levels.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 1,500 words (maximum) "Please detail in your resume and cover letter how you meet each of the screening criteria (i.e. Education, Occupational Certification, and Experience Qualifications) using concrete examples, and indicate time lines of when experience was gained (please indicate the month and year). Do not provide a list of current responsibilities."

A response to a text question addressing the following:

• Please note that the positions being staffed through this process is are located in Vancouver, B.C. and/or Victoria, B.C. If a job offer is extended to you, you will be required to relocate. Given this, please confirm your intention and interest in relocating, and list the work locations in order of preference (from most preferred to least preferred).

Contact information for 3 references.

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

Law degree from a recognized university.

Degree equivalency

Membership in good standing in a Law Society of one of the provinces or territories of Canada; and eligibility for membership in the Law Society of British Columbia within a specified period of time.

Recent and significant* experience in litigation.

*Recent and significant experience in litigation means the candidate has spent approximately four of the past seven years working as counsel primarily on files involving the litigation of disputes before courts. This experience must include having sole conduct or conduct of discrete issues within litigation files, making strategic decisions on such files and communicating those decisions to clients or colleagues.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of issues, both legal and policy, of concern to the Government of Canada.

Oral Communication: Demonstrated ability to present ideas, proposals, concepts and other information clearly, succinctly and with credibility. Adjusts the language, style and tone of communication to suit the audience.

Written Communication: Demonstrated ability to present ideas, proposals, concepts and other information clearly, succinctly and with credibility.

Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to strategically manage files involving legal and/or policy issues, including appropriately managing legal risk. Demonstrated ability to analyze problems and find solutions. Appropriately manages legal risk. Considers diverse perspectives and makes the appropriate “call” given what is known.

Interpersonal Relations: Demonstrated ability to interact with various individuals such as: staff, colleagues, clients, officials of government departments and others. Demonstrated ability to develop respect, mutual understanding, and productive working relationships; Demonstrated ability to work as a contributing member of a team and occasionally lead on particular issues of low to moderate risk; Shares information in an open manner to help others make informed decisions; Values and encourages the exchange of ideas.

Dependability: Chooses appropriate actions and responds calmly and professionally; Conveys a professional and positive image; Demonstrates a solid work ethic; Completes assignments and work in established or appropriate timeframes while demonstrating flexibility; Can be relied upon to work discretely on highly sensitive and confidential files.

Initiative: Willingly seeks out, assumes and discharges responsibility for matters.

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)

Experience conducting trials in British Columbia Supreme Court.

Experience conducting trials in the Tax Court of Canada.

Experience conducting trials in Federal Court.

Experience in personal injury litigation.

Experience in Indigenous litigation.

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.

Conditions of employment

Reliability or Secret security clearance (depending on position or as required).
Willingness and ability to work overtime when required.
Willingness and ability to travel when required.
Membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia.

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 designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

All information pertaining to this process will be sent by e-mail and/or will be indicated in your account. Candidates who participate in this selection process must include an electronic e-mail address which accepts e-mails from unknown users (some e-mail systems block this kind of e-mail). It is your responsibility to verify your e-mail and account on a regular basis for new communication regarding this selection process.

You will be required to provide proof of your education credentials at a later date. Foreign educational credentials must be assessed by a recognized credential assessment service. If the candidate has been educated outside of Canada, it is the candidate’s responsibility to have his or her certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian educational standards. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education during the assessment phase of the staffing process. Guidance may be found at the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) at http://www.cicic.ca

To submit an application on-line, please click on the button "Apply Now" below. If you are unable to apply online, email your application to: , or fax to (604) 666-5765.

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

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

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.

Please identify clearly for which position(s) you are submitting an application.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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