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

Set yourself up for success! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position(s) 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.

If you are unable to submit your application before the closing date, please do not hesitate to contact Denise Tremblay, Human Resources Assistant, by email at .

Work environment

The British Columbia Regional Office (BCRO) is responsible for federal prosecutions throughout the province of British Columbia.

The region has four major areas of prosecution focus: drug prosecutions, national security prosecutions, economic crimes, and regulatory prosecutions, including environmental protection, fisheries, and immigration cases.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff four (4) positions in the Surrey Office and four (4) positions in the Vancouver Office of the Public Prosecution Services of Canada (PPSC) on an indeterminate basis (permanent). The results of this staffing process may also be used to staff similar positions with various tenures and/or security requirements, as needs arise.

Positions to be filled: 8

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 British Columbia.

Experience:
- Recent* and in-depth** experience in the conduct of criminal or quasi-criminal litigation. *Recent refers to experience obtained in the last five (5) years. **In-depth experience is associated with a broad range of criminal litigation over a three (3) year period.

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

Organizational Needs:
The organization is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. Selection of qualified candidates for appointments may be made to specifically increase this representation.

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.
- 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.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

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 criminal law and procedures including knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its relevant case law
*Sound is defined as being capable of fulfilling their duties with minimal direction based on thorough knowledge.

Abilities, Skills and Personal Suitabilities:
- 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)

ASSET QUALIFICATION (Vancouver positions only):
Experience or demonstrated interest in economic crime prosecutions or tax law.

Conditions of employment

Conditions of employment:
- Security clearance: Enhance Reliability and Secret Security Clearance.
- Member in good standing in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada.
- Must be a member, in good standing, of the Law Society of British Columbia within 100 days of appointment.
- 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 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.
- 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

The Federal Public Service is stronger and most effective when we reflect the diversity of the Canadian population we serve. PPSC is dedicated to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, representative of Canadian society. All candidates who believe they are qualified are encouraged to apply, including Black, other racialized and Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of the LGBTQ2+ community.

If you have general questions about PPSC’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives and the workplace culture, please contact the PPSC’s BC Diversity and Inclusion Committee at:

Depending on the number of applicants and our staffing needs, we may need to use volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach, and/or cut-off scores for the purpose of managing applications.

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.