Legal Assistant

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

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.

Work environment

Why should you join the Justice team?

The Department of Justice can offer you a rewarding career, where you are part of a team working to ensure that Canada has an accessible, efficient and fair system of justice.

The Department of Justice supports the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada in virtually every area of law, from the development of policy to the drafting of legislation, and from litigation to the provision of legal advice to other federal departments and agencies. The issues Justice lawyers deal with on a daily basis are often on the cutting edge of legal trends and have significant impacts on Canadian society.

The tradition of excellence at the Department of Justice is embodied in its culture, which values inclusiveness, fairness and respect for Canada's legal system.

The work of a legal assistants is multi-faceted, stimulating and enriching. Legal Assistants 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.

Department of Justice legal assistants work in a collaborative and mutually supportive team environment. Their contribution is essential to the achievement of the mandate of the Department, which is a leader in the field of justice.

Intent of the process

The purpose of this process is to staff one (1) indeterminate English essential position within the Atlantic Regional Office. A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar or identical positions with various linguistic profiles and requirements, security profiles and various tenures.

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)

A diploma or certificate from a law-related program (e.g. legal assistant, law clerk, paralegal assistant program or an equivalent program) from a registered institution or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience in providing legal assistant support to a legal practitioner.

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

Experience providing legal assistant support to a civil litigation practitioner acquired during the last 3 years.

Experience providing legal assistant support to a prosecutor or criminal law practitioner.

Experience in Tax Law.

Experience in Aboriginal Law.

Experience in Property Law.

Experience in Personal Injury Law.

Experience working with evidence management software, such as Ringtail.

Experience scheduling and organizing travel arrangements and in completing travel expense claims using the current Government of Canada travel system.

Experience working in the Federal Public Service within the Minister of Justice portfolio (e.g. Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Courts Administration Service, etc.).

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

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative: CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of legal terminology and legal documents.
Knowledge of the rules of Canadian courts as they apply to legal proceedings and procedures.

Demonstrating Integrity and Respect.
Thinking Things Through.
Working Effectively with Others.
Showing Initiative and Being Action-Oriented.

Ability to prepare routine correspondence and routine legal documents.
Ability to format non-legal documents and legal documents.
Ability to proof-read documents.
Oral Communication: Presents and discusses ideas, concepts and issues in a clear, concise, and effective manner orally.
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)

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 and secret.

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

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.

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

A written test may be administered.

Language tests will be administered to confirm proficiency for bilingual positions.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

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

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

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

Communication for this process will be sent via e-mail. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

The "Cracking the Code" video helps people who are looking for a new career with the Government of Canada to navigate the application process step by step. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GW7P3g9hhI

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, 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.