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

Work environment

The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) protects the core principle of equal opportunity and promotes a vision of an inclusive society free from discrimination by promoting human rights through research and policy development; protecting human rights through a fair and effective complaints process; representing the public interest to advance human rights for all Canadians; auditing employers, in addition to implementing three (3) new program areas (Accessible Canada Act, Pay Equity Act and the Office of the Federal Housing Advocate).

We are one of Canada’s most dynamic organizations with highly engaged and talented employees! We are located in downtown Ottawa, are part of the Core Public Administration and are subject to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). We are fortunate to have our own in-house compensation services, meaning you will have access to in-person Compensation Advisors.

Intent of the process

Our current need is to staff one indeterminate position. A pool of qualified candidates may be established to staff similar positions.

We encourage candidates from across the country to apply but note that once it is deemed safe to return to an office, you could be required to relocate to the National Capital Region (Ottawa/Gatineau) to perform the duties of this position.

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)

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Laws Degree from a recognized university.

Degree equivalency

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION:

Membership 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.

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

Various language requirements
Various linguistic profiles: Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB, Bilingual imperative CCC/CCC, English Essential

Information on language requirements

EXPERIENCE:

- Recent* and significant** experience providing legal advice in the area of statutory human rights or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

- Recent* experience in providing legal advice in the area of administrative law

OR

- Recent* and significant** experience in the conduct of litigation and mediation as counsel appearing before administrative tribunals or Federal, superior or provincial court(s) of a province or territory of Canada, including in the area of statutory human rights or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

OR

- Recent* or significant** experience providing legal advice to administrative tribunals or Agents of Parliament

* Recent experience is defined as experience obtained within the last eight (8) years

** Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience typically associated with having performed a broad range of related activities over a period of at least two (2) years

KNOWLEDGE:

-Knowledge of human rights legislation and related case law, in particular the Canadian Human Rights Act
-Knowledge of administrative law

ABILITIES:

-Effective oral communication skills
-Written communication: ability to analyze and explain legal concepts in writing
-Ability to analyse issues, develop options and propose recommendations for the consideration of senior executives
-Ability to work under pressure

PERSONAL SUITABILITIES:

-Teamwork
-Initiative
-Reliability
-Judgement.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE:

-Experience working as in-house counsel or providing corporate advice in the context of a governmental department or organization
-Experience providing legal advice in the areas of pay equity, accessibility or housing as a human right
-Experience providing legal advice on and/or litigating Indigenous law cases

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS

Fostering diversity and inclusion is a government-wide corporate priority for 2020-21, as announced by the Clerk of the Privy Council.

In order to meet this priority, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one or more of the three following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal Persons, Visible Minorities and Persons with Disabilities

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

-Hours of work based on Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Reliability status

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

ASSESSMENT
• Candidates must meet all the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.
• Meeting criteria such as asset qualifications, operational requirements or organizational needs is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the right fit. Asset qualifications could be applied at any step of the selection process.
• You may be assessed using a variety of assessment tools, such as, but not limited to: standardized tests, written exams, interviews, simulation exercises, reference checks (the Assessment Committee reserves the right to contact references other than those provided by the candidates, within the Public Service only), if found necessary, in order to adequately assess the candidates), recent and past performance evaluations, self-assessments, candidate achievement record, etc.
• Your overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence, throughout the entire process may be used in the assessment of qualifications and competencies.
• You must provide proof of your education credentials. If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. For more information please click on “Degree Equivalency” in the Education section above.
• A top down approach and/or random selection may be invoked at any stage in this process to limit the number of candidates or for appointment purposes.
• Please note that achieving the pass mark on any of the assessments used does not mean you will move forward in the selection process. Management may decide to use a score that is higher than the pass mark on any of the evaluations used throughout the selection process.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
• Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.
• Official language proficiency could be assessed and required solely upon appointment. Each candidate can only undergo SLE testing one time within the context of an appointment process. Also, a person who initially failed linguistic testing could be introduced into the pool of qualified candidates during the pool’s validity period if he/she is assessed again through another selection process or following linguistic training.

SELECTION
• Appointments will be made in accordance with the organizational needs, if applicable.
• Deployments may be preferred for candidates at the same group and level or equivalent.
• Appointments may be made by applying the following criteria: (1) Matching specific qualification(s) to the need of the team, division, branch, or Commission; (2) Breadth and depth of specific qualification(s); and/or (3) Level of specific qualification(s)

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.