Senior Counsel

Important messages

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 where everyone feels they belong. All candidates in the area of selection who believe they are qualified are encouraged to apply, including Black, other racialized and Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

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 by email at .

Duties

The PPSC’s Headquarters Counsel Group is divided into two teams.

1. The Prosecutions Advice and Support Directorate focuses on operational issues arising from criminal prosecutions, including complex drug cases, proceeds of crime/money-laundering cases, economic crimes and regulatory prosecutions.

2. The Prosecution Policy Knowledge and Knowledge Integration Directorate is responsible for developing prosecution policy via the PPSC Deskbook, as well as managing knowledge transfers through the School for Prosecutions, the Knowledge Management site, and the National Library. It is also responsible for the Corporate Counsel Office, and the coordination of activities at the HQ level for Northern Affairs.

In this role, you would be reporting to the Prosecution Advice and Support Directorate as a Senior Counsel assigned to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Your primary role will be to provide investigative advice to investigators and to liaise with the regional office that will be responsible for the prosecution and with Headquarters. You may also, from time to time, receive other assignments from Headquarters Counsel Group management related to their role in supporting the regional offices and PPSC senior management.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one (1) position with a linguistic profile of bilingual imperative CBC/CBC within the Public Prosecution Service of Canada's Headquarters Council Group (HQCG). The main responsibility of the HQCG is to support the PPSC Senior management and regions in the fulfilment of their roles and responsibilities. The successful candidate of this process will be expected to be seconded* to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to provide prosecutorial advice to the RCMP at the investigative stage.

The results of this staffing process may also be used to staff similar positions with various tenures, language requirements, and/or security requirements, as needs arise.

* A secondment is a temporary lateral movement of an employee to another department or agency in the Public Service to perform the functions of a position that already exists or to take on a special project.

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 Quebec.

Experience:
- Significant* experience in dealing with ill-defined and complex criminal law issues in a litigation and advisory capacity.
- Experience in coaching and mentoring others on matters relating to criminal investigations and litigation.

*Significant is defined as experience associated with a broad range of progressively increasing complexity of criminal litigation over a six (6) year period accumulated within the past twelve (12) 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 national security and terrorism files and prosecutions.
- Experience in economic crime files and prosecutions.

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)

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB
Bilingual Imperative CBB/CBB
Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC
Bilingual Imperative CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
- In-depth* knowledge of the role and practices of Crown Counsel in the conduct of criminal litigation in the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
- In-depth* knowledge of criminal law and procedures including knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its relevant case law.

*In-depth is defined as specialist in one or more areas of law, having thorough knowledge.

Competencies:
- 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)

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.

Conditions of employment

- Security Clearance: Enhanced Reliability & Secret, or Top Secret
- Member in good standing in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada.
- 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 by applicants throughout their 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 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.