Summer Students - The Legal Excellence Program

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

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE ATTENTION OF GLORIA CHAO, THROUGH THE VILAW PORTAL AT: http://www.vilawportal.com

THIS POSTING IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION BY CLICKING THE 'APPLY NOW' BUTTON ON THIS POSTING. ANY APPLICATIONS RECEIVED HERE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

YOU MUST APPLY THROUGH THE VILAW PORTAL.

For summer students participating in the On-Campus Interview (OCI) process, application deadlines may be earlier than the application deadlines set out by the Vancouver Bar Association, as posted below. Contact your Career Services Office at your Law School for the applicable OCI deadlines.

If your Law School is following the application deadlines set out by the Vancouver Bar Association, they are as follows:

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟯𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 (𝟭𝟭:𝟱𝟵 𝗣𝗠 𝗣𝗧)
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 (𝟴:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠 𝗣𝗧)
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸: 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟯 – 𝟮𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 (𝟴:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠 𝗣𝗧)

Preference will be given to applicants who have not graduated from law school.

Applicants must be qualified for enrollment as temporary articling students by the Law Society of British Columbia.

Please indicate in your application the reason for which you are entitled to work in Canada: Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or work permit. Please also confirm if you are a veteran. Note that proof will be requested at a later time.

Your application package must include the following: a cover letter, resume, undergraduate transcript, law school transcript and list of complete contact information for at least three references we can contact, including their phone number and email address.

Please indicate on the list of names where you worked with the reference and in what capacity (for example, supervisor, colleague, client, professor, or stakeholder).

References will be contacted to provide examples that demonstrate the following competencies: Ability to communicate effectively in writing; Demonstrating integrity and respect; Thinking things through; Working effectively with others; and Showing initiative and being action-oriented.

References should meet certain criteria in order for them to make a meaningful contribution to the appointment process. In particular, references should have had an adequate opportunity to observe the applicant so that they are able to provide constructive comments regarding the consistency and quality of the applicant's behaviour.

Please direct all enquiries to: Gloria Chao
Email:

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

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

Minimum of 2 years successful completion towards a law degree from a recognized post secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

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

Solid academic standing in Law School
Demonstrated interest in public law
Demonstrated interest in litigation

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

A general knowledge of law

Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Demonstrating integrity and respect
Thinking things through
Working effectively with others
Showing initiative and being action-oriented

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

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 a woman, an Indigenous person, 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 a member of the employment equity groups, we strongly recommend you self-declare in your application by adding the following sentence in your cover letter:

I voluntarily self-declare that I am a member of the following employment equity group(s):
• Indigenous persons***
• Persons with Disabilities
• Member of a racialized group
• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+ / SOGIE

*** Please note that your self-declaration as a member of First Nations, Inuit or Métis may 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

Conditions of employment

Reliability or Secret security clearance (depending on the position or as required) – At the time of appointment, candidates must meet the condition of employment and maintain this condition throughout their employment.

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

Due to the number of applicants and the strict hiring deadlines imposed by the Vancouver Bar Association, not all applicants will be interviewed. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Screening may be conducted on a top-down basis for grades.

Selection for interviews may be based on asset qualifications.

A combination of additional education, training or experience relevant to the position may be used in selection decisions.

Additionally, summer law students may have the opportunity to article with the Department of Justice if they meet all requirements.

In the event that summer law students article with the Department of Justice, these appointments will be made under the Justice Canada LP-01 Training and Development Program. This program provides for the progression of participants from LP-00 (articling student) to LP-02 (counsel) over approximately 5 years. As such, it is expected that an initial appointment to this program would ultimately result in an indeterminate non-advertised LP-02 appointment (subject to meeting all program requirements).

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.