Legal Counsel

Role Responsibilities

The Alberta Labour Relations Board has an exciting opportunity and is looking for an additional Legal Counsel to join its team!  

The Board’s Legal Counsel provides a full range of legal services to support the adjudicators and employees of a busy and high-profile administrative tribunal.  This role involves providing time-sensitive legal advice, opinions and guidance to the Chair, the Vice Chairs, Board staff on both day-to-day operations as well as complex projects. 
 

As a key component of the role involves reviewing and assisting with draft decisions, the Legal Counsel must have excellent writing skills, a comprehensive knowledge of labour and administrative law, along with a keen eye for detail.  The Board’s Legal counsel also drafts internal and public-facing operational documents such as Information Bulletins, Rules of Procedure, and other policy documents. 
 

On the litigation side, the Board’s Legal counsel represents the Board in judicial review proceedings and statutory appeals.  This aspect of the role involves preparing briefs and Certified Records of Proceedings, appearing in Court, and overseeing external counsel as needed. The Legal Counsel also acts as the Board’s FOIP Coordinator and media contact. 
 

Exceptional organizational, strategic thinking, creative problem-solving skills are critical as the Board’s Legal Counsel is also a member of the Board’s Management Team and provides advice on all aspects of the Board’s operations. This position requires strong time-management skills, as it involves managing multiple priorities in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.  
 

Effective written and verbal communication skills are also essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively and independently. This position involves partial supervision of an administrative professional. 

Please click on this link for a copy of the Job Description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in-depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Competencies for this position include:

Creative Problem Solving – Engages different perspectives in seeking out root causes. Finds ways to improve complex systems or structures to better meet goals and outcomes. Accesses resources, information and technology from other areas, and uses it to analyze issues, resolve problems, and improve performance. Assesses and addresses risks while providing guidance to move new ideas forward.
 
Agility – Identifies alternative approaches or courses of action in unclear and complex situations. Supports others to identify, assess, and use alternative approaches. Anticipates changing demands and changes behavior accordingly. Remains calm and composed even in difficult or stressful situations. Is able to see the positive side to a difficult situation. Remains optimistic and perseveres in finding solutions. Works creatively within policies and procedures to proactively meet goals.
 
Drive for Results – Clarifies objectives and taps into a variety of available resources within the organization; ensuring that roles and contributions are clear. Respectfully takes a stand on issues, even if it is not immediately accepted or appreciated.
 
Develop Networks – Builds trust by being open to different perspectives while looking for long-term and mutually beneficial outcomes. Influences others by considering the content of what is being said, the environment in which it is being presented and how the information is being presented.
 
Build Collaborative Environments – Works with others to identify and remove barriers to progress. Ensures communication is ongoing by setting up processes or structures that facilitate communication and collaboration. Acknowledges diverse perspectives and helps people work together to focus on outcomes.
 
Develop Self and Others – Models continuous learning. Proactively engages in own development. Finds ways to develop through on the job assignments; volunteers for “stretch” assignments and taking on increased responsibilities. Supports the development of others by providing specific, constructive, timely and regular feedback.

Qualifications

Education:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) Degree and membership (or eligibility for membership) in the Law Society of Alberta supplemented with the following: 

Legal Counsel 3: a minimum of eleven (11) years’ legal experience is required following admission to the bar in a Canadian jurisdiction. 
Legal Counsel 2: a minimum of four (4) years directly related post bar legal experience is required.

Requirements:

• Legal experience in a variety of areas including labour, employment, administrative, privacy and constitutional law.  Experience with judicial review applications or administrative tribunals would be considered an asset. 
• Extensive knowledge and experience with labour relations.
• Experience in presenting cases before the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, the Alberta Court of Appeal, or administrative tribunals. 
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta or eligible for membership therein is required.
• Management and team building experience are desirable.

A cover letter demonstrating your qualifications, experience and skills for this position is required and will be used as a screening tool to assess writing ability. 

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered for the position. 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a permanent full-time position for 36.25 hours per week.
 

Work location is on the 6th Floor of the Commerce Place Building, 10155 102 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4G8.
 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 
 

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs shifts/week).
 

The final candidate may be required to undergo a security screening.
 

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.
 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-alberta-public-service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca. 
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Leadership and mentorship programs