Paralegal

Role Responsibilities

As a Paralegal you will execute, administer, paralegal and related duties for assigned Justice(s) of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta with disabilities. 

You are required to assist the Justice(s) throughout the day and will always sit next to Justice(s), either in court or in their office. As this position attends court regularly, gowning and court decorum/etiquette is required. You will be required to provide personal assistance from time to time to the Justice(s) and assist with gowning/dressing for court.

You will interact with senior Court personnel as well as acting as a representative for assigned Justices in dealing with Court officials, external legal counsel and/or the public. You will receive and handle confidential and sensitive information and demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. Support is provided in a highly professional manner with a high degree of autonomy, diplomacy and confidentiality. Work is performed using strong organizational skills, unquestionable integrity, and a thorough knowledge of the paralegal discipline; excellent typing, shorthand and computer skills are essential.

This position holds key responsibility for the efficient operation of the Judicial Chambers in a professional, responsible and independent manner by providing a broad range of administrative support functions to the Judiciary. There are five areas of responsibility for this position; provide a broad range of administrative support functions to the Judiciary, Case Management, preparation of Judgments, scheduling matters for the Judiciary and partner with the trial coordinator to ensure smooth and efficient administration of Judicial assignments.

Secondary to reporting to the assigned Justice, you will report administratively to the immediate supervisor.

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.

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 effectively work 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.

Qualifications

All applicants must include a cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. In your cover letter, please give us a brief overview (approximately 300-400 words) of why you are suitable for this role. Your grammar and punctuation will be assessed.

A two-year diploma in a related field (e.g., Legal Assistant, Legal Administration, and Paralegal) supplemented with at least one year progressively responsible related experience is a requirement. 

Equivalencies will be considered on the basis of one year of education for one year of related legal experience or one year of legal experience for one year of related education.

Preference will be given to candidates with 10+ years of directly related Paralegal/ Judicial Assistant/ Judicial Clerk/ Legal Assistant/or Executive Assistant experience 

Assets include:

• A Legal Assistant/Paralegal diploma
• Experience working in a Court environment, preferably with the Court of King’s Bench
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities
• Experience working in a M365 environment
• Experience using, applying and understanding legal terminology

Candidates may be asked to do further testing.

Selected candidates may be asked to complete typing and grammar tests prior to scheduling an interview. Typing speed of at least 60 WPM is required but at least 80 wpm 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 is currently a temporary position (18 months) with a possibility to be converted to a permanent position in the Court of King's Bench – Judicial, Edmonton. 

This position will work full-time, Monday to Friday 8:15AM - 4:30PM, 36.25 hours a week. You will be required to always work onsite and will not be eligible for hybrid arrangements. 

Overtime may be required with little or no notice. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs shifts/week).

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.

• 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