Tax Policy Officer – Tax Legislation Stream (University Recruitment)

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

Accommodation can take many forms. The following are some examples of types of
accommodation requests:
1. providing written materials in accessible formats, such as large print, braille.
2. providing readers or sign language interpreters or closed caption interviews.
3. extra time to complete a written test and/or interviews

For all questions or requests concerning the need to be accommodated during any phase of the selection process, please contact us by email at:

Persons who have a disability preventing them from applying online, or persons requiring any other accommodation needs, should also contact us by e-mail at:

University Recruitment postings are open to all applicants who have completed the minimum educational requirements, not just recent graduates. This process is aimed at candidates who have training in law, taxation, or accounting and who wish to pursue a career as a specialist in income or sales tax.

In these positions in the Tax Legislation Division and Sales Tax Division, you will directly participate in:

• Analyzing complex tax issues related to income tax, sales tax (GST/HST and excise levies) and other taxes and charges (e.g., underused housing tax, luxury tax, digital services tax, carbon pricing fuel charge) as well as regulatory issues;
• Proposing policy changes to senior departmental officials and the Minister of Finance; and
• Drafting provisions of the Income Tax Act, Excise Tax Act and other tax legislation for presentation by the Minister of Finance to Parliament.

PLEASE REFER TO THE “Information you must provide” SECTION FOR ADDITIONAL REQUIRED INFORMATION. It may take time to complete and gather all this information so please prepare and give yourself sufficient time to complete the online application.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Work environment

Our Work Environment:

The department’s hybrid work approach aims, in a flexible way, to have a 50/50 split between on-site work and telework. The Department’s approach is consistent with the Common hybrid work model for the Federal Public Service. Specific work arrangements should be discussed with the manager at the time of hiring.

The department's facility at 90 Elgin Street is in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The building is equipped with state-of-the art technologies to support collaboration and innovation. The area is served by all major bus routes and a light rail station, and employees have access in the building to amenities such as a library, multi-purpose exercise room, and showers, change rooms and secure bicycle storage, allowing them to commute using the National Capital Region’s bike path system.

Our Department: What We Do

At the Department of Finance Canada, we are the primary source of economic and financial advice for the Minister of Finance and the Government of Canada. We interact with virtually every federal department and agency and play a pivotal role in the analysis and design of public policy across the widest range of taxation, economic, financial, social, and environmental issues.

We provide leadership in helping the Government of Canada develop the economic and social policies that will improve the standard of living and quality of life of Canadians, their families, and their communities. We work on challenging policy issues, and you will have access to decision makers and be able to influence important public policy decisions.

We are a dynamic organization of more than 900 people across 11 different branches.

The Tax Policy Branch, which provides advice to the Minister of Finance on tax policy and certain regulatory matters (e.g., related to carbon pricing), includes diverse roles such as policy analysts, research analysts, legislative drafters, and negotiators (e.g., aboriginal tax policy, international tax treaties).

As an employee, you will work closely with your team, but also have the chance to interact with colleagues across the Department and beyond, whether by working on far-reaching policy issues or by attending some of the numerous workshops, retreats and informal gatherings that take place throughout the year.

The Department of Finance Canada has been named as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers of 2023. This recognition highlights a positive change within our structures and culture in ways that enable the recruitment of diverse employees, and support an inclusive environment where they can build successful careers within the department.

The Department of Finance Canada has also been named one of Canada’s Top Employers and is one of Canada’s 2023 Top Employers for Young People. The Department also consistently ranks among the best federal public organizations for results to the Public Service Employee Survey (PSES).

For further information on the Department of Finance, please consult our website at https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance.html.

Intent of the process

Anticipatory. A pool of qualified candidates resulting from this process may be used to fill positions within the Department of Finance Canada.

Stream 1: Tax Policy Officer – Tax Legislation Division

The Tax Legislation Division (TLD) within the Tax Policy Branch is responsible for the development and implementation of income tax policy and legislation at the federal level, including in relation to personal income tax, corporate income tax, resources and clean energy, international transactions, registered savings plans, trusts and estates, and financial products. The Division oversees the development of Canada’s digital services tax, it negotiates tax treaties and other bilateral/multilateral agreements, and it engages international organizations on tax matters, including the global minimum tax on multinational enterprises.

In close collaboration with economists and policy experts in the Tax Policy Branch, TLD identifies potential tax measures and issues, assesses and advises the Minister of Finance on existing and emerging issues, and supports the implementation of tax measures by preparing budget announcements and news releases, and by drafting the legislation (Budget implementation bills and technical tax bills) and regulations. TLD engages tax policy experts, the Canada Revenue Agency, other government departments and the broad tax practitioner community in developing and implementing tax policy and legislation.

Stream 2: Tax Policy Officer – Sales Tax Division

The Sales Tax Division (SET) is a division within the Tax Policy Branch and is a one-stop shop responsible for the development and implementation of all consumption taxes at the federal level, including GST/HST, tobacco, fuel, alcohol, cannabis, underused housing, luxury and vaping taxes, as well as carbon pricing. SET identifies potential tax measures and issues, assesses and advises the Minister of Finance on new and existing issues, and prepares documents to announce and implement government proposals through budget texts, news releases, legislation, and regulations.

SET includes policy groups, a legislative group and a quantitative group, producing a unique and rewarding collaborative environment among legislative officers, policy officers and economists. SET engages tax policy experts, the Canada Revenue Agency, other government departments and the broader legal and tax practitioner communities in developing and implementing tax policy, legislation and regulations. It is a fast-paced, dynamic division with an immense breadth of subject matter, and topical files at the cutting edge of modern tax policy.

Positions to be filled: 5

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE ONLINE APPLICATION, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION/DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY E-MAIL AT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE:

• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• As the case may be:
- proof of your membership (or your eligibility by December 31, 2024) of the Bar of one or more of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Order of Notaries in the Province of Quebec; or
- proof of your Canadian professional accounting designation.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

EDUCATION (All streams)

Education and Professional Designation

Candidates must:
a) have successfully completed, or be eligible to complete by December 31, 2024, a program leading to a degree in law (LL.B., B.C.L. or J.D.) from a recognized university; OR
b) have become, or be eligible to become by December 31, 2024, a member of the Bar of one or more of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Order of Notaries in the Province of Quebec; OR
c) have successfully completed, or be eligible to complete by December 31, 2024, a program leading to a graduate degree in taxation from a recognized university; OR
d) have successfully completed a degree from a recognized university and have obtained a recognized professional accounting designation (CPA).

Specialization in Taxation and/or Economics:

In addition to (a), (b), (c) or (d) above, university course work must include successful completion of two or more courses in Canadian taxation (which can include courses in economics for the Sales Tax Division). Candidates must provide a transcript of all university courses taken and grades obtained to validate this specialization.

Academic Excellence: Candidates must demonstrate above average performance during their post-secondary education. Transcripts will be used to validate this criteria.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE (All streams)

Recent* and relevant** experience in the field of taxation, tax policy or legislation and may be demonstrated through work assignments or any other means, such as academic studies.

Note:
*For the purpose of this selection process, recent is defined as approximately within the last 5 years.

**For the purposes of this selection process, candidates must demonstrate 1 of the 4 relevant experiences listed:
1. Work experience with active involvement dealing with tax issues;

OR

2. Work experience required to:
(a) become a member of the Bar of one or more of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Order of Notaries in the Province of Quebec; or
(b) obtain a recognized professional accounting designation (CPA); or
(c) obtain a graduate degree in taxation;

OR

3. Scholastic activities leading to a degree in law (LL.B., B.C.L. or J.D.) from a recognized university or a graduate degree in taxation;

OR

4. A combination of the elements above.

Candidates are encouraged to indicate on their application, activities, employment experience and/or scholastic activity or achievements that they feel may be pertinent to a position in the Tax Legislation Division or the Sales Tax Division of the Tax Policy Branch at the Department of Finance.

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

Operational Requirement (All streams)

Ability and willingness to work overtime on short notice.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

Stream 1 – Tax Legislation Division:
Knowledge of federal and/or provincial laws and statutes related to Canada’s income tax systems.

Stream 2 – Sales Tax Division:
General knowledge of Canadian taxation and tax policy.

ABILITIES

Stream 1 – Tax Legislation Division:
1. Ability to synthesize and analyze information in order to provide sound recommendations to senior management related to income taxation and income tax policy
2. Ability to communicate orally in a clear and effective manner in an income tax context
3. Ability to communicate technical information related to income tax clearly and effectively in writing

Stream 2 – Sales Tax Division:
1. Ability to synthesize and analyze information in order to provide sound advice/recommendations to senior management about general taxation issues and policy
2. Ability to work as a member of a team
3. Ability to communicate effectively orally in a general tax context
4. Ability to communicate technical information related to Canadian taxation and tax policy clearly and effectively in writing
5. Ability to manage time under pressure

PERSONAL SUITABILITY

Stream 1 – Tax Legislation Division:
1. Resourcefulness and independence
2. Effective conflict resolution skills
3. Prudent decision-making
4. Diligence

Stream 2 – Sales Tax Division
1. Initiative
2. Effective interpersonal skills
3. Judgment
4. Thoroughness

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

This advertised process is relevant for the staffing of positions in the area of income tax and the area of sales tax at the Tax Policy Branch of the Department of Finance. The following asset qualifications may be used to preselect candidates for an interview and/or may be assessed during the interview process:

EDUCATION

1. For candidates who have successfully completed, or will be eligible to complete before December 31, 2024, a program leading to a degree in law (LL.B., B.C.L. or J.D.) from a recognized university, preference may be given to candidates who have become or are eligible to become by December 31, 2024, a member of the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Order of Notaries in the Province of Quebec.

2. For candidates who have successfully completed, or will be eligible to complete by December 31, 2024, a program leading to a graduate degree in taxation from a recognized university, preference may be given to candidates who have become, or are eligible to become by December 31, 2024, a member of the Bar of one or more of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Order of Notaries in the Province of Quebec, or have obtained a recognized professional accounting designation (CPA).

Degree equivalency

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS - A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE:

Be part of an organization that represents and includes the diverse identities, cultures, perspectives and experiences that make up Canada.

The Department of Finance Canada takes great pride in having a diverse workforce with wide-ranging skill sets. To promote a workforce that is representative of the Canadians we serve and to respond to organizational/hiring managers’ needs, selection may be based on qualified candidates self-declaring as belonging to one or more of the following EE designated groups: *Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, women and visible minorities. As such, we strongly encourage applicants who identify within the Employment Equity Groups to apply and self-declare in their application.

*The Employment Equity Act, which is currently under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples. After review, updated terminology for one or more groups may be reflected in the Act.

Conditions of employment

Secret security 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

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

The Department of Finance Canada Economics and Social Science Services Development Program is a competency-based career development and progression program designed for the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) community in Department of Finance Canada's six policy branches. The program aims to develop high-calibre individuals to the target level of EC-07 Senior Advisor/Economist (salary range: $122,714 to $140,878) within four to five years. Progression through successive EC levels up to the target level is based on a combination of performance evaluation and merit assessment established for the Economist and Policy Analyst program stream.

Additional Requirements/Comments:

• We thank all those who apply.
• In making an appointment, any assessment method that is considered appropriate to determine whether a person meets the qualifications referred to in the statement of merit may be used, such as a review of past performance and accomplishments, examinations, interviews and reference checks.
• A top-down approach may be undertaken: Applicants who meet the essential criteria may be ranked according to the depth and breadth of qualifications they possess. Only the top ranking applicants would be invited to the next phase of assessment.
•Candidates must clearly demonstrate how they meet the criteria in this poster. The screening of applicants will be done solely on the information submitted through the online application.
•Communications with candidates will be by e-mail or by telephone. Please include a valid e-mail address and a valid telephone number. Failure to respond in a timely manner could lead to your candidacy not being further considered.
•Should you be considered for an interview, you will be contacted directly. Rescheduling will be on an exceptional basis only.
•A written examination will be administered and reference checks may also be completed.
•Selection decisions may be based on results achieved for one or more qualifications. For example, preference may be given to the candidate that has scored highest on a specific qualification or combination of qualifications.
•Please note that any and all communication relating to this process, including the online application, your résumé, and/or any other written correspondence, may be used to assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing.
•Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

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.