Legal Assistant

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

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

When submitting an application to this selection process, you will be prompted to answer screening questions concerning the essential and asset education and experience qualifications. It is your responsibility to provide clear and concrete examples in your responses to each question, including when (from-to), where (occupational title, organization) and how you obtained your education and experience. It is recommended that you describe the experience examples in specific terms, providing sufficient details so that the Assessment Board can clearly understand. The content of your response must be supported by your resume as your responses to these questions will be used as a primary source of information and your resume will only be used to validate this information.

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Northern Allowances:
In addition to your base salary, you will receive an Isolated Post Allowance:
• approximately $19,833 – $27,387 per year (rates vary)
• Vacation Travel Assistance provided upon request once per year for each eligible member of the household.
• Please see the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive for more information http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/ipgh-pile/index-eng.php
• Please note that rates and conditions above are subject to change.


We also offer:
• Relocation Assistance: Applicants may be eligible for relocation assistance and may wish to review the Relocation Directive: NJC Relocation Directive (http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/ipgh-pile/index-eng.php)
• Pension & Benefits package: For more information, see: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/topics/pension-plan.html and https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/topics/benefit-plans.html.
• Training, Development & Education Opportunities: Multi-year career development plans which include opportunities for education assistance funding and training opportunities
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The Department of Justice is committed to ensure we achieve representativeness, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our business. In reflecting on the composition of our workforce, we must do better to build representation. In hopes to increase the representation of Indigenous Peoples, Black and other racialized group members and Persons with disabilities, we invite and encourage members of these groups to apply.

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Please note: Applications will be pulled from the system and considered in the following order:
January 19, 2023
February 2, 2023
February 16, 2023
Subsequent pulls will be done as needed.

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This process is being carried out in conjunction with the following selection process numbers: 2023-JUS-EA-142435 & 2023-JUS-EA-142446. The same assessment tools will be used. Should you apply on the other processes, you will be assessed only once, and the assessment results carried over. Separate pools of qualified candidates will be established for each process.

Work environment

ABOUT THE POSITION:

This is an opportunity to join the Northern legal team of Justice Canada as a Legal Assistant.

The Northern Region has offices in each of the three territories – the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. There are currently 26 employees across the region – 14 lawyers, 2 paralegals, 3 legal assistants, 4 administrative staff, and 3 managerial level employees.

The Yellowknife office is comprised of six lawyers, a paralegal, two legal assistants, an office administrator/executive assistant, an administrative support clerk/receptionist, the regional LEX/records administrator, the regional business manager and the deputy regional director general of the Northern Region. The Yellowknife Office provides general civil litigation to all federal departments operating in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The Office also has an advisory practice focusing primarily on assessment and regulation of natural resource initiatives, real property transactions, and implementation and negotiation of modern treaties. Its main clientele is made up of Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The legal assistant in the Yellowknife Office is an integral part of the legal team. Main functions include opening and closing files, drafting letters and preparing court filings, organizing legal records, etc. and providing back-up for the receptionist. Given the varied general legal practice of the office, there is always something new going on. And given the limited staff, there is always something new to learn. We are looking for an individual with an interest and a capacity to learn, and a willingness to share knowledge.

WORK LOCATION:

Yellowknife is a city with a population of approximately 20,000 residents, situated on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake in typical Canadian Shield landscape. The story of Yellowknife is a rich and colourful one, still very much on display today. It is easy to find and experience ancient and modern indigenous culture, tradition and influence and see evidence of the humble beginnings of the community founded on the fur trading empire and later the search for precious metals. Mining has moved from precious metals largely, to diamonds. Vintage planes and ice roads still provide steady service to surrounding communities. Yellowknife is an eclectic mix of old and new, an important cultural landmark and a gateway to much of Canada’s North. Those who work in the Yellowknife Office have chosen to work and live in the North given that work-life balance is not only encouraged but easily achieved.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one position in the Yellowknife, Northwest Territories office.

A pool of partially or fully qualified candidates may be established to staff similar positions within the Department of Justice with various tenures, various linguistic requirements, various operational requirements and/or various conditions of employment.

Please note that if successful and offered a position, you would be required to relocate.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

A secondary school (high school) diploma from a recognized institution or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience providing administrative support services in an office environment.

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

A diploma or certificate from a law-related program (e.g. legal assistant, law clerk, paralegal assistant program or an equivalent program) from a recognized institution.

Degree equivalency

Experience in providing legal support services to legal professionals.

Experience working in the Territorial North of Canada.

Experience working with legal terminology and standardized court documents in civil litigation.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Demonstrating Integrity and Respect.
Thinking Things Through.
Working effectively with others.
Showing initiative and being action-oriented.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively orally.

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

Ability to prepare and format routine legal documents.

Organizational Needs:

The Department of Justice believes that to be able to effectively serve the public, its workforce needs to reflect the diversity of the Canadian population. Diversity is a great source of strength in driving Canada’s Legal Team in ensuring that Canada’s justice system is as fair, accessible and efficient as possible. The Department is committed to a representative workforce that represents the Canadian public we serve. If you are an Indigenous person, a woman, a person with a disability, a member of a racialized group* or a member of the 2SLGBTQI+**/Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) community we encourage you to self-declare in this staffing process.
* Please note that this group is currently designated as members of visible minorities in the Employment Equity Act and the self-declaration form.
** 2SLGBTQI+: Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and people who identify as being part of sexual and gender diverse communities.

INFORMATION ON SELF-DECLARATION
Self-declaration information can be factored into the screening, assessment or selection decision to address our commitment to eliminate gaps and increase representation for these groups. This information will only be used in connection with this selection process.

HOW TO SELF-DECLARE
If you are an Indigenous person, woman, member of a racialized group*, Person with a disability:
· when you apply for a job through GC Jobs, complete the Employment Equity section under Requirements.
· Please note that your self-declaration as a member of First Nations, Inuit or Métis will be verified via the Affirmation of Indigenous Identity Form to be provided later in the staffing process. For more information on this requirement, please consult the Questions and Answers page.

If you are a member of the 2SLGBTQI+/ Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) community:

· For employees of the Department of Justice, please self-declare through the EE Self-Declaration tab in PeopleSoft by accessing the “Self Service” module and providing consent that your information can be used for Staffing actions, such as actings, appointments, assignments.
· For candidates external to the Public Service and employees of the Public Service outside of the Department of Justice, candidates will be provided an opportunity to self-declare during the assessment process.

The following requirements may be accommodated based on a persons' needs or status:
- Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice.
- Willingness and ability to travel on occasion.

Conditions of employment

Reliability and Security: Reliability, Secret or Top Secret security clearance (depending on the position or as required).

Medical Clearance*
*The incumbent and their dependents may be required to obtain Health Canada medical clearance in accordance with the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive.

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

We will only accept on-line applications received via the GC Jobs site.

CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR MISSING INFORMATION.

Proof of citizenship or permanent residency will be required.

Communication for this process will be sent via e-mail. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that a current and valid e-mail address is provided and updated accordingly and that it accepts messages from unknown senders. We encourage candidates to provide a second e-mail address in their application.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

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

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.