Legal Counsel

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Posting Date: Oct 11, 2024

Location: Edmonton, AB

Company: Government of Alberta

Job Information
Job Title: Legal Counsel 
Job Requisition ID: 63750
Ministry: Justice
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent 
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: October 25, 2024
Classification: Courts Advisory Counsel  
Depending on experience, the pay classification is either Civil Crown Counsel 2 (CCC2) (minimum 4 years directly related post bar call legal experience) or Civil Crown Counsel 3 (CCC3) (minimum 11 years directly related post bar call legal experience)
Salary: ​CCC2: $5,303.39 to $6,567.57 biweekly ($138,418 – $171,413 per year)
CCC3: $7,063.55 to $7,832.16 biweekly ($184,358 – $204,419 per year)
 

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx.

 

The Ministry of Alberta Justice helps ensure that all Albertans can live in safe and resilient communities while having access to a fair and innovative justice system. Working alongside its partners in law enforcement, family justice, health, the judiciary, criminal justice system and other stakeholders, the ministry has a direct or shared responsibility in all elements of the justice system in Alberta. Follow the link to see what else we have to offer: http://www.justice.alberta.ca.
 

The Alberta Court of Justice sits in 72 locations in the province. Through a variety of provincial and federal statutes, it exercises extensive jurisdiction in criminal, civil, family, and youth matters. Most of the residents of Alberta who have dealings with the judicial system find themselves in the Court of Justice. The Court of Justice is very conscious of the fact that it is from interaction with this Court that many people form their view of the administration of justice in Alberta.
 

To learn more about the Alberta Court of Justice please follow the link at  https://albertacourts.ca/cj/home .
 

The Alberta Court of Justice recognizes the importance of working collaboratively with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, having a working knowledge around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action as well as understanding the importance of child and family involvement, connection, and collaboration with a large array of other cultures and communities.

Role Responsibilities

Court of Justice Legal Counsel provide professional legal services to the judiciary in accordance with relevant legislation, regulation, legal procedure and precedent. This is accomplished by providing legal research, analysis, and recommendations relating to matters before the Court of Justice. Advisory and consultative services as in-house counsel are provided to justices of all divisions of the Court of Justice. Legal Counsel also advise the Court of changes in the law, keep apprised of legal developments, update internal legal resources, and assist with the mentorship of articling students. Accountability for results in the Court lie with the judiciary, therefore the core purpose of this role is more oriented to expertise, problem solving, and support.
 

This position reports to the Executive Legal Counsel of the Court of Justice but will regularly work directly with members of the judiciary. This position has no direct reports and does not manage a budget. 
 

The position has the following key responsibilities:
 

  1. Provide professional legal services to the judiciary in accordance with relevant legislation, regulation, legal procedure and precedent.
  2. Assist in supporting the Court’s student programs.
  3. Develop and maintain institutional knowledge and information.
  4. Assist with Court’s committees and special projects as assigned. 


The successful candidate is required to work both independently and closely with others, including justices, other legal counsel, and articling students. The successful candidate will be highly autonomous, executing and advising on standard, non-standard, and complex legal issues and research projects. The successful candidate must be capable of assessing and balancing workloads and competing priorities within short time frames, as well as possessing strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
 

Legal Counsel must also possess excellent research, analytical and organizational skills; a deep understanding of the legal foundations of the Court; significant substantive knowledge in at least one specialized area of the law relevant to the various divisions of the Court (civil, family and criminal). Legal Counsel will conduct interpretive and analytical research of complex fact patterns and multiple areas of the law. Legal Counsel also play a significant role in the mentorship of law students.   
 

Superior decision making and communication skills (both verbal and written) are required, along with recent and relevant experience with Canadian and foreign legal research tools, including online sources.

Qualifications

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) Degree supplemented with the following:
 

  • The pay classification of Civil Crown Counsel 2 (CCC2) requires a minimum of four (4) years directly related post bar legal experience. 
  • The pay classification of Civil Crown Counsel 3 (CCC3) requires a minimum of eleven (11) years directly related post bar legal experience. 
  • Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta or eligibility for membership is required.


Related legal experience includes extensive experience with Canadian legal research tools, well-developed research and analytical skills, and exceptional legal writing skills. It also includes prior court or tribunal experience.  

Law journal and other legal writing experience would be beneficial and would be considered an asset.  Experience working with students is also considered an asset.   
Although not required, ability to fluently speak and write in French is considered an asset. 
 

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:
7.25 hours / 36.25 hours a week.
 

Term of Employment:
This is a permanent fulltime position.
 

Location:
Edmonton
 

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. 
 

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
 

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

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.
 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:
 

  • Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and work effectively in a changing environment.
     
  • Develop Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders.
     
  • Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
     
  • Systems Thinking: The work done within the APS is part of a larger integrated and inter-related environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems Thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
     
  • Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
     
  • Drive for Results: You are able to determine what outcomes are important and maximize the use of resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and all stakeholders.
     
  • Develop self and others: You have a commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others.
     

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide 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.

For Employment Experience:

  • Please indicate duration of employment (month, year)
  • Please specify employment status (i.e., casual, part-time or full-time)
  • Ex: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three, 8-hour shifts/week)


For any Post-Secondary Education:

  • Please specify your major and length of program
  • Please specify the year you graduated
  • Ex: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017)


Please ensure your application is accompanied by a cover letter (approximately 300-400 words) that explains how your education and experience relate to this position. Grammar, punctuation and editing will be assessed. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 
Law school transcripts and a writing sample, minimum 3-5 pages in length, must accompany your application. Applications without transcripts will not be considered. 
 

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/job-application-resources#before for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.
 

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)(https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information (https://canalliance.org/en/default.html).

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Sonya Bartley-Wynter at Sonya.Bartley-Wynter@gov.ab.ca.