Counsel

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

Work environment

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) is a federal government organization responsible for the prosecution of criminal offenses under federal jurisdiction. Our organization consists of approximately 1000 employees in regional offices across the country who all play a key role in strengthening Canada’s criminal justice system. The PPSC handles the prosecution of all Criminal Code offences in the territories as well as offences under all other federal legislation, such as the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the Fisheries Act.

The Atlantic Regional Office is responsible for federal prosecutions in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The regional headquarters is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and there are local offices in Moncton, New Brunswick and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The region has four major areas of prosecution focus: CDSA prosecutions; regulatory prosecutions, including environmental and fisheries matters; proceeds of crime; and economic crime. The region’s resources and geography also contribute to the unique mix of offences prosecuted by these offices.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff 1 indeterminate position located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The results of this staffing process may also be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (term, indeterminate, etc.), linguistic requirements (bilingual imperative, English essential, etc.), language profiles (CBC/CBC, BBB/BBB, etc.), and/or security requirements (enhanced reliability, secret, etc.) in any of the PPSC’s Atlantic region offices, as needs arise. Therefore, we encourage you to apply if you are interested in working in any of our Atlantic Canada offices.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Occupational Certification:
- Eligibility for membership in the Bar of the province in which the position is located. The immediate need is located in Nova Scotia.

Experience:
- Recent* experience in the conduct of criminal or quasi-criminal litigation.

Experience is associated with a broad range of criminal litigation over a three (3) year period.
*Recent refers to the experience obtained in the last five (5) years.

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

Asset Qualifications - Experience:
- Significant* experience leading or in taking on a leadership role in a team of prosecutors, in the conduct of ill-defined and complex litigation concerned with homicides; terrorism; criminal organization offences; drug trafficking; money laundering or proceeds of crime offences; large scale frauds, tax evasion and similar economic crimes; or significant environmental protection offences.
- Experience working as a Crown prosecutor.
- Experience addressing Aboriginal justice issues in a litigation or advisory capacity.
- Experience handling prosecutions relating to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Experience handling prosecutions relating to a broad range of federal regulatory statutes such as the Income Tax Act, Fisheries Act, or Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
- Experience handling prosecutions with intercepted private communications evidence obtained pursuant to Part VI of the Criminal Code.

*Significant is defined as experience associated with a broad range of progressively increasing complexity of criminal litigation over a six (6) year period accumulated within the past twelve (12) years.

Operational Requirements:
- Requirement to travel which may include assignments on short notice and for extended periods.
- Ability and willingness to work outside normal working hours which may include working evenings, nights and weekends based on operational needs.

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

Various language requirements
Process could be used to staff positions with a variety of language requirements (i.e., CCC/CCC, CBC/CBC, BBB/BBB, English essential, etc.)

Immediate need:
- 1 English essential position

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
- Sound* knowledge of the role and practices of Crown Counsel in the conduct of criminal litigation in the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
- Sound* knowledge of criminal law and procedures including knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its relevant case law.

*Sound is defined as being capable of fulfilling their duties with minimal direction based on thorough knowledge.

Abilities and Skills:
- Specialized Skills and Knowledge (such as understanding one’s role, legal skills and legal knowledge)
- Professionalism (such as professional conduct, professional fortitude, service orientation and self assessment)
- Judgement (such as decision making, critical thinking, and adaptability)
- Practice Management (such as file management)
- Communicating effectively (such as verbally, in writing and by listening attentively)
- Interpersonal Relationships (such as building relationships and emotion management)
- Leadership (such as coaching and mentoring, influencing others and teamwork)

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

Organizational Needs
The organization is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. Qualified applicants who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and/or women may be selected for appointment to fulfill organizational needs.

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:
- Reliability and Security: Various: Enhanced Reliability, Secret
- Member in good standing in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada.
- Must be a member, in good standing, of the Law Society or Barristers’ Society of the province in which the position is located, within 100 days of appointment.
- Must be willing to be assigned to other types of work at the same group, level and tenure within the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Assignment of work may be made within or between the various teams of counsel within the office and will be based on operational considerations and will not require relocation of residence.
- Possession of a valid driver’s licence. Note: the licence class must, at a minimum, authorize the driver to drive a car, van or small truck, on all roads and highways without an accompanying driver.

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

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.