Legal Assistant

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.

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.

Duties

The National Capital Regional Office Legal Assistants provide legal and administrative support to a team of Crown prosecutors in cases of prosecution under the various federal statutes. Being the main point of contact between all parties involved in the files, the Assistant ensures coordination and follow-up with the Court, investigators from various federal investigative agencies, defense lawyers and other parties involved. They provide physical and digital legal file maintenance. Drafting legal documents, handling correspondence and requests for information are an integral part of the day-to-day work of our assistants. You will also be called upon to plan and organize business trips and follow up on related expense reports according to federal government travel policies and procedures.

Work environment

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 in regional offices 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.

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+.

With the well-being of our employees at heart, we offer a bilingual environment and a welcoming, respectful and inclusive workplace with many learning opportunities through a variety of programs and initiatives, advancement opportunities and competitive benefits. We also promote work-life balance.

Our office is located at 160 Elgin Street in Ottawa and is easily accessible by public transportation. The many shops and activities surrounding the building will charm you!

Intent of the process

A list of qualified or partially assessed candidates may be established and used to staff positions at this group and level with various language requirements, with various tenures and durations.

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)

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION
• A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards through a recognized credential assessment service. Please see the Degree equivalency link for further information.

Degree equivalency

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
• Experience providing legal or administrative support to legal professionals.

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

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

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE
• Experience working as a legal assistant.
• Experience providing legal or administrative support to legal professionals in the area of criminal law.
• Experience preparing cases for litigation.
• Experience booking and organizing travel arrangements in a professional context.

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

Various language requirements
• English Essential
• Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB

Information on language requirements

COMPETENCIES
• Attention to detail
• Demonstrating integrity and respect
• Thinking things through
• Working effectively with others
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• Communication

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

ASSET KNOWLEDGE
• Knowledge of legal terminology for criminal matters.
• Knowledge of documentation relating to criminal matters.
• Knowledge of legal procedures relating to criminal matters.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
• The Public Prosecution Service of Canada 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 used as a selection factor when pulling applications from the inventory or as a factor when making the selection decision.

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

• Security Clearance: Enhanced Reliability, Enhanced Reliability and Secret Clearance

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.

Apply online