Legal Assistant

Important messages

Set yourself up for success! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position to be staffed, let us know if you have a functional limitation or disability, which may affect your participation. For example, you may contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application. Should you proceed to a future assessment stage, such as an exam or interview, we will send you an e-mail with additional information and you can determine if you may require an accommodation at that time (such as a different test format, an adaptive technology, or additional time). Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so that candidates with functional limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

If you require an accommodation during any phase of this assessment process, please use the Contact information below to request accommodation. All information received in relation to your accommodation will be kept confidential and your right to privacy will be protected.

Work environment

The National Capital Regional Office is expanding with the creation of a brand new office in Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay is the most populous municipality in Northwestern Ontario and is located on beautiful Lake Superior. Thunder Bay’s economy is a "knowledge economy" based on medical research and education. It has become the regional center for most provincial departments as well as the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Lakehead University and Confederation College.

Thunder Bay rests on the Canadian Shield with an abundance of nature activities and trails including the one on the famous Sleeping Giant, a large formation of mesas in Lake Superior that resembles a reclining giant. Thunder Bay is also home to a variety of music performance arts venues and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, the only professional orchestra between Winnipeg and Toronto.

Thunder Bay’s main tourist attraction is Fort William Historical Park, a reconstruction of the North West Company's Fort William fur trade post as it was in 1815, which attracts 100,000 visitors annually.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one (1) indeterminate Legal Assistant position in Thunder Bay with a linguistic profile of English Essential and a secret security clearance.

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:
- 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:
- Successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree in a law related field (already obtained OR obtained before appointment).
- Possession of a legal secretarial certificate or diploma (already obtained OR obtained before appointment).
- Experience in preparing cases for litigation.
- Experience providing support to counsel.
- Experience in dealing with legal correspondence and legal files.
- Experience in reviewing, formatting and processing a variety of legal and non-legal documents.
- Experience working with an electronic information management system (such as iCase, iRims, etc.).
- Experience working in a legal environment.
- Experience working in a cross-cultural environment, particularly in Indigenous communities.
- Experience resolving computer hardware and software problems. (with minimal technician support).

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.

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).

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

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

Abilities:
- 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 Suitability:
- Reliability
- Judgment
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Initiative
- Attention to detail

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

Asset Qualification - Knowledge:
- Knowledge of legal research methods and practices.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

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

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service.

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

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.