Counsel - Positions available in Yellowknife and Iqaluit

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

If you are unable to apply online, please contact Denise Tremblay at before the closing date.

Work environment

Northwest Territories Regional Office:

The Northwest Territories Regional Office (NWTRO) is responsible for the prosecution of all federal offences in the NWT. The regional headquarters is located in Yellowknife. Communities throughout the NWT are served by circuit in both the Territorial and Supreme Court and prosecutors travel by air to some 20 communities and by road to one community.

The NWTRO prosecutes Criminal Code offences, in addition to offences under other federal statutes typically prosecuted by the PPSC. The caseload of the regional office includes a high number of personal injury offences, including homicide cases, aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm or with a weapon. The region actively reviews the files of high risk offenders and applies in appropriate cases for dangerous or long-term offender status following conviction.

Yellowknife sits on the shore of Great Slave Lake, the tenth largest lake in the world. There are many attractions, seasonal festivities and plenty of activities to take part in year round for everybody to enjoy.

Nunavut Regional Office:

The Nunavut Regional Office is located in Iqaluit. As Counsel working in Nunavut, you will join a dedicated team in a collaborative environment. You will quickly gain a breadth of knowledge and experience as you work on a variety of legal files from Criminal Code offences to fishing infractions.

You will also have the unique opportunity to travel the territory on circuit to various communities and get to know the people in Canada’s newest territory. Nunavut is an Inuit territory, where societal values are guided by the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit Traditional Knowledge). As a PPSC employee, you will have a particular responsibility to respect traditional approaches to justice, including restorative justice programs that incorporate Inuit values and culture, and embody the spirit of Inuit Qaujmajatuqangit. Your sense of adventure will captivate you as you travel to remote communities and experience the diverse beauty of this arctic wonderland. This unique experience will shape the rest of your life!

Additional benefits of working in the North:

1) In addition to your base salary, you will receive an Isolated Post Allowance (Northern Allowance) which ranges from $18,000 - $34 000 annually depending on your circumstances and location.
2) Relocation assistance.
3) You are guaranteed subsidized housing (Iqaluit only).
4) You will also receive a Vacation Travel Assistance (VTA) once a year (in Yellowknife) or twice a year (in Iqaluit) that will support you to travel on vacation outside of the territory. The amount allocated varies.
5) Room for growth in our organization.
6) Training opportunities.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff two (2) positions on an indeterminate or specified period basis in Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) and Iqaluit (Nunavut).

Please note that if successful and offered a position with PPSC, you would be required to relocate to Yellowknife or Iqaluit. This process is not intended to staff positons in other locations. We thank you for your interest in the PPSC.

Positions to be filled: 2

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 Law Society of Northwest Territories or the Law Society of Nunavut.

Experience:
- LP-01: Experience in making appearances in court as counsel, articling student or law student.
- LP-02: 3+ years of experience in the last 5 years in the conduct of criminal or quasi-criminal litigation.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
- LP-01 & LP-02: Knowledge of criminal law and procedures including knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its relevant case law.
- LP-02: Knowledge of the role and practices of Crown Counsel in the conduct of criminal litigation in the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

Competencies:
- Specialized Skills and Knowledge
- Professionalism
- Judgement
- Practice management
- Communicating effectively
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Leadership

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

Asset Qualification - Experience:
- Experience working as Crown Prosecutor or criminal defence counsel.
- Experience working in a cross cultural environment, particularly in Indigenous communities.
- Experience working in a northern environment.

Asset Qualification - Ability:
- Ability to speak Inuktitut (Nunavut only).

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, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and/or women may be selected for appointment to fulfill organizational needs.
- Persons self-identifying as Nunavut Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement may be selected for appointment in Nunavut to fulfill organizational needs.

Operational Requirements:
- 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 (Northwest Territories only).
- 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.

Conditions of employment

- Enhanced Reliability security clearance - Some positions may require a secret clearance.
- Member in good standing in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada.
- Authority to work and appear as counsel with respect to matters under federal and territorial jurisdiction in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.
- Applicants 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.
- Medical clearance.
- All conditions of employment must be met and maintained throughout the tenure in the position.

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.