LP-02 Counsel (Advisory)

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

Persons requiring accommodation preventing them from applying on-line should contact the contact person identified below prior to the closing date. Otherwise, your job application should be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System.

You may also review jobs open to the public through INFOTEL at 1-800-645-5605. The INFOTEL number for persons using a TTY/TDD is 1-800-532-9397.

When submitting an application to this selection process, you will be prompted to answer screening questions concerning the essential and asset 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.

CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR MISSING INFORMATION.

Work environment

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are seeking driven-candidates who have a passion for Indigenous rights and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and who are looking to make a difference and contribute to important initiatives and priorities.

WHO WE ARE:

The INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND RELATIONS PORTFOLIO (IRRP) provides national direction and leadership on Aboriginal law and Indigenous rights across the Department of Justice, including in relation to section 35 of the Constitution Act, United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, the Principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples, and federal law concerning Indigenous peoples, through the provision of expert policy and legal advice, tools and training. The Portfolio also supports the Minister of Justice in his responsibilities in relation to the administration of justice in Indigenous communities and in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. Taken together, the Vision Statement of the IRRP calls for Advancing Reconciliation through legal, policy and business excellence.

The INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND RELATIONS SECTION (IRRS) provides legal resolution, advisory and litigation services to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

The advisory practice in IRRS combines traditional areas of property and commercial law, contract, torts, environmental law, estates law, constitutional law, with the dynamic and ever-evolving area of Aboriginal law. The challenge for legal counsel is to ensure CIRNAC/ISC fulfills its legal obligations to First Nations in British Columbia by recognizing and respecting First Nations’ desires to become more self-sufficient and self-governing while balancing the public interest.

Advisory lawyers have broad expertise in facilitating such things as on-reserve economic developments for shopping mall complexes, wineries, golf courses, casinos, eco-tourism, resort destinations, wind farms and more.

Intent of the process

This process will be used to fill immediate term and indeterminate vacancies within the National Litigation Sector - Indigenous Rights and Relations Section (IRRS) in Vancouver; and may be used to fill positions within the Indigenous Rights and Relations Portfolio (IRRP) – Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Legal Services Unit in Vancouver on an anticipatory basis.

More positions (term or indeterminate) may become available within the Department of Justice in Vancouver depending on the needs of the organization.

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.

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)

Occupational Certification:
• Eligibility for membership in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Chambre des notaires du Québec

Experience:
• Significant experience providing legal services as counsel*
* Significant experience providing legal services as counsel is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with performance of the duties working on legal and/or legal policy matters as counsel over a period of approximately four (4) years.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential or Bilingual Imperative (depending on position or as required).

Information on language requirements

Competencies:
• Demonstrating Integrity and Respect
• Thinking Things Through
• Working effectively with others
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication

Abilities:
• Ability to analyze legal issues and provide strategic advice.
• Ability to manage the legal practice, including using digital tools.

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

Education:
• Common or civil law degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience providing legal advice in one or more of the following areas of Canadian law: Indigenous law, commercial law, constitutional law, public law, real property law or human rights law.

• Experience in legal project management.

• Experience with negotiations or other dispute resolution processes.

• Experience in engaging with Indigenous communities or organisations.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of one or more of the following area(s) of Canadian law: Indigenous law, commercial law, constitutional law, public law, real property law or human rights law.

• Knowledge of Indigenous legal and policy issues in the Canadian context.

• Knowledge of the legal issues arising in the context of comprehensive land claims and self-government agreements.

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: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/appointment-framework/guides-tools-appointment-framework/affirmation-indigenous-identity-form.html

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.

Operational Requirements:
The following requirements can be accommodated based on a persons’ needs or status.
• Willing and able to work extended hours including weekends.
• Willing and able to travel, as required.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or willingness to obtain one (depending on the position being staffed).

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:
• Security clearance (according to the position Enhanced Reliability, Secret, Top Secret)
• Remain a member in good standing of the law society of a province or territory of Canada.

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.

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.