Paralegal (Litigation)

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

Tips for applicants:

- Please provide complete and thorough details of your education.
- Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided.
- Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the process.
- Your answers to the questionnaire will be assessed against the resume that you submit. Any noticeable information that cannot be supported by your resume will be deemed invalid and may result in your application being screened-out from this process.
- Your responses may be used to assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Work environment

The work of a paralegal is multi-faceted, stimulating and enriching. Paralegals working for the Department of Justice have an opportunity to gain valuable work experience with Canada’s single largest legal organization. The working conditions and the experienced teams are assets for those who like challenges.

At the Department of Justice, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and dynamic team-oriented workplace where your drive for results can be recognized and rewarded with challenging opportunities.

You will have the opportunity to increase your experience and expertise, benefit from a healthy work-life balance and a positive workplace where we support and encourage the wellness and mental health of our employees. At the Department of Justice, we also offer a supportive work environment, competitive compensation, a pension and full range of benefits.

Are you ready for a new challenge? Apply online today for an opportunity to join our legal team.

Intent of the process

A pool of partially assessed 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)

Education
ED1: Successful completion of two years of a post-secondary program with acceptable specialization in social science, statistics, library/archival work or a law-related field.

Degree equivalency

Experience
EX1: Approximately three (3) years of experience in conducting a wide range of paralegal activities with some autonomy including legal research and analysis, coordination of information collection, organization and review.

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

Education
AE.1 Paralegal or Law Clerk degree or diploma or certificate or diploma of collegial studies (DCS) in paralegal studies from a recognized institution.

AE.2 Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in a law-related field.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
K1: Knowledge of project management principles.

Competencies
CC1: Demonstrating integrity and respect.
CC2: Thinking things through.
CC3: Showing initiative and being action oriented.
CC4: Working effectively with others.

Abilities
A1: Ability to communicate effectively orally.
A2: Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
A3: Ability to conduct substantive legal research and analysis.
A4: Ability to apply civil litigation rules, procedures as it relates to the Federal Courts or applicable provincial superior courts.

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

Personal Suitability
PS1: Leadership skills.

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, please respond to the self-declaration screening question as part of your application.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements may be accommodated based on a persons' needs or status:
OR1: Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice.
OR2: 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).

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 jobs.gc.ca site.

CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR MISSING INFORMATION.

Proof of education, in the form of a diploma, degree, or official transcripts, will be requested at the assessment stage of this process. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

A written test may be administered.

Interviews may be administered.

Reference checks may be administered.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required and to update their personal information when it changes. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates.

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.

The Department of Justice encourages persons with priority entitlements to self-refer to our selection processes in circumstances where they believe that they meet the essential qualifications of the advertised position.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Selection decision may be based on the level, breadth or degree of qualifications.

For Current Federal Public Service employees:

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level, your employment status, and Personal Record Identifier (PRI) on your application.

Employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for deployment or secondment.

An assignment or acting appointment or secondment requires approval of your supervisor.

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.