Counsel - LP01

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.

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

Applications will be pulled from the system and considered in the following order:
January 15, 2020
March 18, 2020
April 30, 2020
May 29, 2020 (final pull, inventory is closed)

There are two steps in the application process:
1) You must apply online at www.canada.ca/government-jobs.

2) You must send your last official transcript available, of your grades achieved in law studies by EMAIL to: . Otherwise, your application may be rejected.

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.

Work environment

Would you like to join Canada’s largest and most exciting legal team? Working at the Department of Justice, you can be a leader in your community and the guardian of Canada’s justice system. Your legal team will exude integrity, fairness and professionalism.

You can make your mark as Counsel in the British Columbia Regional Office working and collaborating with experienced lawyers on groundbreaking, important and interesting cases.

Apply your experience and legal knowledge in these key areas of practice:

Aboriginal Law Services;
Business & Regulatory Law;
Criminal Law and International Assistance;
Public Safety, Defense & Immigration; and
Tax Law Services

Your professionalism and drive to succeed will be rewarded with challenging opportunities in a team-oriented workplace. Training opportunities and a National Mentoring Program will help you further develop personal and technical skills and excellence in legal knowledge.

Experience a healthy work-life balance! We support and encourage the wellness and mental health of our employees. We are committed to workplace policies such as employment equity, flexible work hours, job sharing and teleworking. At the Department of Justice, we also offer a supportive work environment, competitive compensation, a pension and full range of benefits.

Intent of the process

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: 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."

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

Common Law degree from a recognized university.

Degree equivalency

EX1: Experience gained within approximately the last three years providing legal services (i.e. working on legal and/or legal policy matters) as a lawyer, articling student or law clerk to a judge.

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

AEX1: Experience working as a lawyer, clerk or articling student in one or more of the following areas of Canadian law: aboriginal law, administrative law, civil litigation, class actions, commercial law, constitutional law, criminal law, Crown law, eDiscovery, environmental law, extradition law, files involving the General Anti-Avoidance Rule, files relating to transfer-pricing issues, human rights law, immigration law, mutual legal assistance, national security law, police law, procurement law, real property law, federal real property transactions, tax law, tort law.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Eligibility for membership of the law society of British Columbia.

K1: Knowledge of recent and significant case law relevant to the position(s) to be staffed.

K2: Knowledge of litigation practices and procedures

CO1: Demonstrating Integrity and Respect

CO2: Thinking Things Through

CO3: Working effectively with others

CO4: Showing initiative and being action-oriented

A1: Ability to communicate effectively orally.

A2: Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

A3: Ability to analyse legal issues and provide advice.

A4: Ability to work effectively under pressure.

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

Strong academic standing in Law School.

Degree equivalency

AK1: Knowledge of the following area(s) of law: aboriginal law, administrative law, Civil procedure, class actions, commercial law, constitutional law, criminal law, public law, eDiscovery law, environmental law, extradition law, files involving the General Anti-Avoidance Rule, files relating to transfer-pricing issues, human rights law, immigration law, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, national security law, police law, procurement law, real property law, federal real property transactions, tax law, tort law.

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 including reducing representation gaps.

Willing and able to work extended hours including weekends.

Willing to travel as required and for extended periods of time.

Conditions of employment

Security clearance (according to the position Enhanced Reliability, Secret, Top Secret)

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

CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR MISSING INFORMATION.

Your application in this inventory will be active for 120 days. A notice that your application is about to expire will be posted to the My jobs menu of your account 20 days before the end of your active period. If you do not take action, your application will no longer be active and therefore no longer be considered for this inventory. Should your application become inactive while the inventory is still open, a notice will be posted to your account indicating that your application has expired; you may select the link Update my Inventory Status to reaffirm your interest.

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

A written test may be administered.

Interviews may be administered.

Reference checks may be administered.

Interviews will be conducted at locations of the employer's choice and may require candidates to travel to the 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.

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.

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.