Legal Research Editor (AMENDMENT TO THE CLOSING DATE)

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

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 (https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32694), 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.

Duties

The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (FJA) was established in 1978 to safeguard the independence of the judiciary and provide services to federally appointed judges.

The Federal Courts Reports, which are published by FJA, are the official reports of the decisions of the Federal Court of Appeal and of the Federal Court. Only those decisions that are deemed by the Editor to be of sufficient significance or importance are published in the Reports.

The Legal Research Editor is principally responsible for copy-editing those decisions. This includes verifying the accuracy of all legal citations and quotations, as well as grammar, formatting, spelling, syntax and punctuation. The Legal Research Editor also prepares and compiles lists of legislative and bibliographical references as well as of case law.

Intent of the process

CURRENT NEEDS: The immediate intent of this selection process is to staff one (1) position in Ottawa, Ontario.

FUTURE NEEDS: Although the immediate intent of this selection process is to fill one (1) indeterminate position, this process may also be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to staff similar positions for the future.

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:
Successful completion of two years of a post-secondary program with acceptable specialization in social science, statistics, library/archival work or a law-related field.

Part B Notes:
1. An indeterminate incumbent of a former SI position who became an EC on June 22, 2009, who does not possess the minimum level of education as indicated in Part B above, is deemed to meet this minimum educational standard based on his/her education, training and/or experience. He/she must be accepted as having met the minimum educational standard for appointment or deployment to Part B EC positions. This note also applies to a person appointed or deployed for an indeterminate period to a Part B EC position after that date as the result of a staffing transaction started before June 22, 2009.
2. At the manager’s discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience that is comparable to the minimum education stated above, may serve as an alternative. Whenever the minimum educational standard is met through an alternative, it is met only for the position being staffed, and a candidate must be re-assessed for future appointments and deployments if the manager has asked for this alternative.
3. "Social science" includes economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, history, psychology, geography, criminology, and other disciplines associated with social science. “Library/archival work” includes gallery and museum functions.
4. It is the recognized educational institution (e.g. community college, CÉGEP or university) that determines whether the courses taken by a candidate correspond to two years of a post-secondary program at that institution.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
-Experience in conducting legal research using online tools.
-Experience in comparison of texts in both official languages to ensure consistency of meaning.
-Experience in proofreading in both official languages
-Experience using Microsoft Word or equivalent.
-Experience using Adobe Products or equivalent.

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

EXPERIENCE:
-Professional* experience copy-editing in both official languages.
-Experience using LexisNexis or WestLaw.
-Experience in conducting legal research using traditional tools.

*”Professional experience" means experience in a context where copy-editing is an important component of the job.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (PPB/PPB)

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
-Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of legal research such as conventions governing citation of cases, statutes and subordinate legislation and secondary materials.
- Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of copy-editing including the rules of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and legal terminology in both official languages.
-Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of proofreading in both official languages, including formatting.

ABILITIES:
-Ability to copy-edit legal documents in both official languages.
-Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines.
-Ability to proofread accurately in both official languages.
-Ability to communicate effectively orally.
-Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
-Effective interpersonal skills.
-Thoroughness.
-Reliability.

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

KNOWLEDGE:
-Knowledge of the Canadian judicial system and its hierarchy.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status 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

A test may be administered.

An interview will be administered.

Reference checks will be sought.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications, depending on the requirements of the position being staffed.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Candidates with foreign credentials will be asked to provide proof of Canadian Equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

Please ensure that your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) is included in your application, if you have one.

Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice.

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.

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.

Assessments and interviews may be held in-person or virtually and the use of technology may be required.

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.