Counsel

Important messages

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

The Federal Public Service is stronger and most effective when we reflect the diversity of the Canadian population we serve. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) is dedicated to building a diverse workforce and an equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace culture. We are committed to being representative of Canadian society and ensuring that our workforce feels they belong. All candidates in the area of selection who believe they are qualified are encouraged to apply, especially equity groups like members of a racialized group, persons living with a disability, Indigenous Peoples, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Bringing your whole self to work each day is important to us. We are genuinely interested in understanding who you are and what your identity factors are.

Accessibility:

Set yourself up for success! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position(s) to be staffed, it is important to us that you feel included and that you can participate without barriers. We are committed to improving accessibility in all areas of our organization and adopting a “Yes, by default” approach when necessary requirements are requested. You are encouraged to communicate your unique needs for accessibility and/or accommodation. 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, but not limited to, a different test format, an adaptive technology, additional time, a new date, etc.). Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so that candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.

Please use the Contact information below to request accommodation during any phase of this assessment process. This information 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 Miguel Lozada Rubiano by email at .

Duties

The Atlantic Regional Office is responsible for federal prosecutions in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The regional headquarters is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and there are local offices in Moncton, New Brunswick and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The region has four major areas of prosecution focus: Controlled Drugs and Substances Act prosecutions; regulatory prosecutions, including environmental and fisheries matters; proceeds of crime; and economic crime. The region’s resources and geography also contribute to the unique mix of offences prosecuted by these offices.

Work environment

The Department:

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) is a national organization that prosecutes federal offences. We offer career opportunities for prosecutors, paralegals, legal assistants, and a wide range of business professionals. Our organization consists of approximately 1000 employees across the country.

In 2023, we updated our Mission and Values to reflect our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation as well as Equity and Inclusion. The PPSC acknowledges the realities faced by individuals subjected to systemic discrimination and the significant over-representation of racialized and Indigenous persons in the criminal justice system. The PPSC’s mission is to serve the public interest and help make Canada a safe and just society by conducting prosecutions in a manner that is equitable, objective and independent, while protecting the rights of every individual; and contributing to the change necessary to support a criminal justice system that is fair to all.

The PPSC also updated the Decision to Prosecute test, which provides clear guidance to prosecutors on how to be more proactive and conscious about recognizing bias, discrimination, and other factors contributing to over-representation. Prosecutors now have a framework to consider background and systemic factors. These factors are considered not only as they relate to the accused, but also to the victim and affected communities, particularly Indigenous women and girls. It also seeks to clarify situations where the public interest may not require a prosecution.

To learn more about the PPSC’s guiding mission and values, visit: https://www.ppsc-sppc.gc.ca/eng/bas/mis-mis.html.

Every PPSC employee has a role to play in creating a work environment where every person can bring their whole self to work and feel valued and empowered to contribute. Being informed and influenced by our diverse employees helps change the heart and conscience of the PPSC. As part of the larger PPSC Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) governance structure, you can join one of five National Councils for Employees: Persons living with Disabilities, Racialized Persons, Black Persons, Indigenous Peoples, and 2SLGBTQIA+.

Intent of the process

This process is anticipatory. The intent of this process is to establish a list of fully qualified or partially qualified candidates to fill vacancies that may arise in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The durations may vary from temporary to indeterminate depending on the needs.

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 Nova Scotia Barristers' Society.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
• 3 years' experience conducting criminal or quasi-criminal litigation.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE
• Experience conducting litigation related to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Experience conducting litigation related to regulatory or economic crimes.
• Experience addressing Indigenous justice issues in a litigation or advisory capacity.
• Experience conducting judicial interim release proceedings, trials and Charter motions.
• Experience conducting jury trials.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
• The PPSC is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. We encourage candidates belonging to one or more of the following equity groups to self-declare: Indigenous peoples, persons living with a disability, members of a visible minority group, and women. Applications from those who self-declare as belonging to one of these groups could be considered first. They could also be given preference at the hiring stage.

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.
• Ability and willingness 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.

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 at the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
• Sound* knowledge of criminal law and procedure 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.

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)

Conditions of employment

• Security Clearance: Enhanced Reliability, Enhanced Reliability and Secret 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 Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society 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.

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.