Director, Legal Services - Police Review Commission

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director of Corporate Services, as the Director, Legal Services, you will lead the PRC's legal services and oversees the delivery of legal advice, strategic direction to the legal services unit, and legal advice for investigations, alternative dispute resolution, adjudication, and supports policy development. Furthermore, you play a central role in managing legal risk, ensuring compliance with legal obligations, and coordinating legal functions across the PRC.

Key Responsibilities include:

•    Oversee the preparation and presentation of legal opinions and advice. 
•    Guide legal counsel through complex legal matters. 
•    Ensure legal advice contributes to the development and review of internal policies, operational procedures, and public-facing materials (e.g., disposition and notification letters). 
•    Ensure alignment of legal guidance with legal standards and best practices. 
•    Supervise legal research, document preparation, and legal disclosure processes.
•    Collaborate with external counsel when necessary.
•    Support training initiatives to embed legal guidance into daily operations.

In addition, as the director, you will contribute to long-term strategic planning, advises on cross-jurisdictional matters involving the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), and provides advice that supports the development of new policies and frameworks to address evolving oversight needs.

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.

• Develop Networks: Serves as the executive legal advisor to the PRC, working closely across the organization, with police services, and with community partners. These relationships strengthen trust in the PRC and help enhance public confidence in policing.
• Develop Self and Others: Facilitates legal roundtables, implements a legal feedback loop, participates in cross-functional committees, and mentors legal counsel offering structured performance plans and feedback sessions. Supports training initiatives for all PRC staff, such as investigative teams, resolution teams and case management.
• Drive for Results: Provides expert legal review and advice on legal reports and recommendations related to complex, sensitive, or high-profile complaints involving police misconduct, including matters that may lead to hearings or generate significant public concern.
• Systems Thinking: Aligns legal strategy with PRC's mandate such as reconciliation with Indigenous communities, equity and inclusion. Connects legal risks to operational practices, ensuring that legal advice support not just compliance but also service delivery, public trust and long-term sustainability. Leads development of plain-language legal tools to help non-legal staff (such as investigators, case management and resolution staff, etc.) understand their responsibilities.

Qualifications

A university degree in Law or a Juris Doctor (JD) along with eleven plus (11+) years of assessed legal experience specialized in criminal or administrative law.

The successful candidate must be an active member of the Law Society of Alberta in good standing OR eligible for immediate membership.

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

Assets:

•    Experience leading others in a managerial or supervisory role.
•    Experience in administrative, public and/or criminal law, with specialized expertise in police oversight, procedural fairness, and statutory interpretation of the Police Act or comparable legislation.
•    Demonstrated leadership experience in legislative, legal interpretation and policy development, particularly in areas such as administrative law, police conduct and/or public accountability.
•    Experience chairing or participating in legal strategy committees, ensuring consistent application of legislation.
•    Experience developing and delivering legal training or capacity-building initiatives related to procedural fairness, administrative decision-making, or statutory interpretation.
•    Expert knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Police Act, Access to Information Act, Protection of Privacy Act, Criminal Code, and applicable administrative law principles.

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 position works Monday to Friday from 8:15am to 4:30pm (36.25 hours weekly)

Successful completion of security screening requirements including the appropriate enhanced security screening check.

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 has to offer to prospective employees.

•    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
•    Leadership and mentorship programs