Barrister & Solicitor

Role Responsibilities

Play a central role in advancing Alberta’s energy sector by delivering trusted counsel and representing the government on sensitive and high-stakes legal matters as part of Alberta Justice’s Energy Law team.

In this position, as part of Alberta Justice’s Energy Law team, you will contribute to shaping the legal framework that supports the province’s vital energy sector. This role offers you the opportunity to provide expert legal advice on complex matters involving natural resources, utilities, and regulatory issues, while supporting senior government officials in advancing key policy and legislative initiatives. You will work on high-impact files that require strong legal acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate the evolving legal landscape of Alberta’s energy industry.

As a Barrister & Solicitor, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Independently preparing and providing legal opinion/advice in verbal or written form for the client ministry on matters with confidentiality and sensitivity,
• Providing legal and related strategic services for the Minister of Justice and other senior members of the government, such as Cabinet and Executive Council on matters with high complexity,
• Providing legal advice on relevant legislation,
• Advancing team and division business goals and priorities,
• Providing legal advice on the role and duties of administrative decision-makers,
• Assisting in drafting legislation (bills, regulations, and Order in Council),
• Reviewing and commenting on proposed or existing legislation to ensure the legislation meets the ongoing legal and policy requirements for the government,
• Assessing legal risks and recommending mitigation strategies,
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents such as contracts, grants, and other agreements, as well as statutory instruments,
• Involvement in court and tribunal proceedings on matters with high risk and complexity,
• Working with other lawyers and legal teams to coordinate legal advice and services, and
• Working with clients to advance government goals.

Role Responsibilities Continued

The ideal candidate will be capable of forming robust client relationships and will demonstrate:

• A strong client focus,
• Ability to work in a team environment,
• Exceptional legal, problem solving and communication skills,
• Exceptional analytical, research and effective writing skills,
• Oral and written advocacy experience, including negotiation experience,
• Familiarity working with legislation,
• Flexibility and the ability to work within a project team or individually and respond quickly to address changing client needs, issues, and priorities,
• Prioritizing actions/cases effectively to respond to numerous challenges and demands, and
• Analyzing situations fully to make informed decisions.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors 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.

• Agility - Must be able to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience, and work effectively in changing environments.
• Drive for Results - Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them. Follows through on duties and tasks and reports on progress.
• Develop Networks - Proactively builds networks, connects and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.
• Creative Problem Solving - Have the ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Build Collaborative Environment - Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD) is required.
• You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta.
• Civil Crown Counsel 1: 0-4 years of legal experience
• Civil Crown Counsel 2: Minimum of 4 years of legal experience
• Civil Crown Counsel 3: Minimum of 11 years of legal experience

A cover letter is required along with your application. In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:

• Your legal experience and expertise,
• Relevant strengths and skills, and
• Reasons for interest in the position.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset:

• Energy Law (Natural Resources and/or Utilities)
• Administrative Law
• Public Law
• Indigenous/Aboriginal Law

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

Hours of work: Monday - Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25 /week)

Positions Currently available: One (1) Permanent position is available.

Location: This opportunity can be based in either Edmonton or Calgary.

Final candidates will be asked to undergo a security screening.

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.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.