Legal Assistant

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for a great opportunity to provide legal and administrative support for the prosecution of criminal and provincial offences? Do you thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work environment? The Appeals and Specialized Prosecutions Office (ASO) of the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) has a opportunity for a Temporary Legal Assistant position in their office in both the Appeals and Specialized units.

As the successful candidate you will:

• Facilitate pre-charge consultation and/or contact with stakeholders.
• Manage witnesses, travel arrangements, including scheduling interviews, explaining the criminal process, answering and/or resolving questions and concerns.  Make travel arrangements and prepare expense reports for Crown Prosecutor.
• Liaise with external and internal stakeholders to ensure appropriate handling of criminal files.
• Manage, organize and maintain Crown files.
• Maintain Crown Prosecutor diaries and diarization system through Outlook.
• Vet, track and maintain disclosure/ using Law Prediscovery program.
• Prepare Factums, court brief (trial books) , Exhibit Books Extracts of Key Evidence and other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada documents such as Notices of Appeal, Notices of Motion and Orders.
• Prepare and process documentation required for search warrant extensions.
• Prepare and file complex legal documentation such as Notices of Appeal, Notices of Motion, Orders and a wide variety of other court documents.
• Respond to and follow up enquiries from the public, defense counsel and the accused.
• Participate in legal research activities at the direction of Crown Prosecutors.
• Utilize the Justice Online Information Network (JOIN) and the Prosecutor Information System Manager (PRISM) to verify charges, court dates, assigned prosecutor, locations and subpoena witnesses.
• Create and complete all forms of correspondence.
• Perform specialized ad hoc administrative tasks as assigned 
• Cover reception duties
• Assist other Legal Assistants as required 

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A comprehensive understanding of the Justice system and processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work with stakeholders in a professional manner.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize work and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively with a wide variety of people
• Strong working knowledge of office procedures and computer programs such as the Justice Online Information Network (JOIN), PRISM, Microsoft Office, Database programs and Adobe Pro.

Please click on this link to view the job description.

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.

To be successful in the role you will demonstrate the following competencies:

• 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 Self and Others – Desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of self and others
• Build Collaborative Environments - Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Develop Networks – Proactively builds networks, connects and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders
• Systems Thinking – Understands how work contributes to the achievement of departmental goals.  Anticipates changes in own area based on activities in other areas.
• Creative Problem Solving – Have the ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

Two-year diploma in a related field such as a Legal Assistant, Paralegal or Criminology, plus a minimum of one year progressively responsible related experience working in a legal administrative role within an office setting. 

Equivalencies considered:
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

Required

• Experience working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint,Outlook and Adobe).
• Experience working in a legal  administrative role within an office environment

Assets 

• Experience working with ,JOIN, PRISM, Criminal eFile.
• Experience in a legal environment specializing in Criminal law is preferred.

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 opportunity is located in Calgary.

Hours of work per week: 36.25 hours/week., Monday to Friday

In addition to your resume, please include a cover letter briefly outlining your criminal law experience (applications without the Cover Letter may not be considered).  

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

There is a temporary position available (tenure 12 months with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent)

This competition may be used to fill current and future vacancies across government at the same or lower classification.  

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. 

You may be exposed to highly sensitive and confidential information, which may be of a graphic nature that may have a strong emotional impact. Graphic material may include, but is not limited to, murder scenes and assault victim(s), autopsy photos, 911 audios and material relating to child exploitation investigations.

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

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - About the Alberta Public Service | Alberta.ca

• 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

• 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