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

To address a need in representation, the selection board has decided to apply the organizational need and will give preference to applicants who have self-declared as part of the following equity-seeking groups: Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities or women. If you self-identify as part of one of these groups, we encourage you to fill in the employment equity declaration form before submitting your application.

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.

We are located at Place Bell situated at 160 Elgin Street, an office complex in downtown Ottawa and next to the Rideau Canal and the Rideau Shopping Centre. This location offers easy access to restaurants, fitness facilities, walking/running paths and parks. We are conveniently located close to major bus routes making it easy to commute from all points across the city.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff 1 specified period position (1 – 2 years) located in Ottawa, Ontario. 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.), as needs arise.

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 one of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Order of Notaries in the Province of Québec.

Experience:
- Significant and recent* experience in providing legal advice on issues pertaining to Crown law matters such as Crown Liability, Information Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Labour Law, or Contracts.

*Recent and significant refers to the experience associated with a broad range of legal files acquired over a two (2) year period 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:
- Experience in the conduct of criminal or quasi-criminal litigation.
- Experience in addressing criminal law issues in an advisory capacity.

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.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

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 Crown law, such as Crown Liability, Information Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Labour Law, or Contracts.

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

Abilities and Skills/ Personal Suitability:
- 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)

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.

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:
- Secret security clearance
- Member in good standing in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Order of Notaries in the Province of Québec.
- 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.

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.