Barrister & Solicitor

Role Responsibilities

The People and Communities (PAC) Legal Team within the Ministry of Justice is seeking a dedicated and skilled Barrister & Solicitor to join our Edmonton office. Step into a role where your legal expertise helps shape the direction of government programs, policies, and legislation that impact the lives of all Albertans.

PAC is a team of 12 lawyers and professional staff who deliver a full range of solicitor services and related strategic advice to the Departments of Child and Family Services (CFS), Assisted Living and Social Services (ALSS), and the Child Care Divisions of Education and Child Care.

In this role, you will assist the Department clients with a range of legal matters in areas that may include health law and health systems change, privacy, information sharing and disclosure (including Health Information Act), legislative development, Federal child welfare law and CYFEA matters, and administrative law.Work at this level involves independently managing routine to moderately complex matters, and collaborating with senior lawyers on more complex issues

As a member of the Justice and PAC Legal Team, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Provide clear legal advice and opinions by identifying issues, gathering facts, conducting research, and offering practical options based on relevant legislation, case law, and policy.
• Prepare briefing notes, correspondence, and legal analyses to support senior officials, including the Minister of Justice and client ministries.
• Draft or assist in drafting legislation such as bills, regulations, and Orders in Council, ensuring compliance with legislative standards and consistency with Alberta statutes.
• Support ministries with legislative or policy development by identifying legal issues, proposing solutions, and advising on potential amendments.
• Draft and review legal agreements, including Memorandums of Understanding, Ministerial Orders, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and other agreements —typically of low to medium complexity.
• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders, contribute to practice improvements, and stay current in legal developments relevant to government work.

The ideal candidate will be capable of developing strong relationships with clients and colleagues and will have:

• A strong client focus
• Excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical, research, verbal, and written communication skills
• The ability to work both as part of a team and independently when required
• Experience in either Health Law or Child Welfare matters

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

• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD). For Law degrees obtained outside Canada, proof of accreditation from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) is required.
• You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta.
• Below is the minimum number of years required for each classification:

• • Civil Crown Counsel 1 (0-4 years of related experience)
  • Civil Crown Counsel 2 (Minimum of 4 years of related experience)
  • Civil Crown Counsel 3 (Minimum of 11 years of related experience)
• A cover letter is required along with your application.

In your cover letter, please briefly summarize your:

• • Legal experience related to the requirements noted above,
  • Experience advising police services,
  • Relevant strengths and skills, and
  • Reasons for interest in the position.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered

Requirements:

Assets:

• Experience in health law matters and knowledge of health systems
• Experience in child welfare matters and knowledge of C-92 law
• Strong legal research, analysis, and interpretation skills.
• Clear, professional legal writing and communication.
• Ability to manage routine to moderately complex files independently.
• Sound judgment and effective legal risk assessment.
• Collaboration skills for working with senior counsel, ministries, and stakeholders.
• Professionalism and adherence to ethical obligations.
  
  

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.

This competition might also be used to fill similar opportunities for temporary or permanent positions in the future.

Location: This opportunity is located in Peace Hills Trust, 10011 – 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.

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.
• 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.