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

Work environment

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.

As a Legal Assistant at the PPSC, you will be exposed to various areas of criminal law, such as, drug prosecutions, organized crime, and regulatory offences. You will work in dynamic teams consisting of Team Leaders, Counsel, and Paralegals all working towards common goals.

This is an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience working with prosecutors within the overall context of large, complex criminal prosecutions.

Intent of the process

This staffing process is anticipatory. Candidates who are found qualified through this process may be considered for appointment to positions within the Public Prosecution Service of Canada's Halifax office, with varying tenures (such as indeterminate, specified period, acting, assignment/secondment), with various linguistic profiles and requirements, and with various security requirements (Reliability, Enhanced Reliability, Secret) according to the position to be staffed.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Education:
- A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training, and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
- Experience in the delivery of administrative support services.
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (such as Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, or Excel).

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

Asset Qualifications:
- Possession of a legal secretarial certificate or diploma (already obtained OR obtained before appointment).
- Experience preparing cases for litigation.
- Experience providing support to counsel.
- Experience working in a Crown Prosecutor’s Office.
- Experience dealing with legal correspondence and legal files.
- Experience working with an electronic information management system (such as iCase, iRims, etc.).
- Experience booking travel.
- Experience working in a legal environment.

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

Various language requirements

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
- Knowledge of legal terminology.
- Knowledge of legal practices and procedures.

Abilities:
- Ability to proofread documents for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors in English and/or French (depending on the language requirements of the position).
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team.

Personal Suitabilities:
- Reliability
- Judgment
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Initiative
- Attention to detail

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.

Operational Requirements:
- Ability and willingness to work outside normal working hours which may include working evenings and weekends based on operational needs.
- Ability to lift heavy boxes (approx. 15 kg).

Conditions of employment

Enhanced Reliability 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 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.