Barrister & Solicitor

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for an in-house counsel role with the Alberta Public Service? Do you seek interesting and highly varied legal work in a collaborative and rewarding environment? The Municipal Affairs, Education and Service AlbertaLegal Team (MESA) of Alberta Justice’s Legal Services Division has an exciting opportunity for a lawyer to join our team!

MESA is a team of 17 lawyers who deliver a full range of solicitor services and related strategic advice to the the Departments of Municipal Affairs, Education and Childcare, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reducation, Technology and Innovation and to the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. The team provides a diverse solicitor services including general corporate counsel legal and related strategic advice, legislative interpretation and development, administrative law, procurement and contracting and privacy law.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Provide general corporate counsel legal and related strategic advice to the MESA Legal Team’s client departments, with a likely focus on Technology and Innovation and Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction.
• Support negotiations and draft contracts, grant agreements and other documents.
• Assist clients with the development of legislation and various orders and directives.
• Statutory interpretation.
• Provide advice on compliance with legislation.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memorandums including legal opinions and memos for officials and senior officials.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues on the team and across the various legal teams within Alberta Justice, as well as clients and possibly with outside legal counsel.

The ideal candidate will be capable of forming good client relationships and will have:

• A strong client focus.
• Excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical, research, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong legal drafting skills (draft contracts, grant agreements and other documents).
• High flexibility and the ability to work within a team and respond quickly to address frequently changing client needs, issues, and priorities.

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 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

It is required to have a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta.

For Law degrees obtained outside Canada, proof of accreditation from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) is required.

Experience considered:

• Civil Crown Counsel 1: Up to 4 years of related experience
• Civil Crown Counsel 2: 4 to 13 years of related experience.
• Civil Crown Counsel 3: At least 11 years of related experience.

Requirement

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:

• Legal experience and expertise.
• Relevant strengths and skills.
• Reasons for interest in the position.

Candidates will also have a strong commitment to the Vision and Values of the Alberta Public Service.

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 Permanent Salaried position is available.

Location: This opportunity is located on 1st Floor, Bowker Building, 9833 - 109 Street, Edmonton, Alberta.

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.

What we offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• 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.