Legal Assistant

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for a great opportunity to provide administrative support for the prosecution of criminal and provincial offences? Do you thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work environment? ACPS has an exciting opportunity for one Permanent Legal Assistant position at their Wetaskiwin Regional Office.

 As a Legal Assistant your key responsibilities will include:

• Drafting, preparing, processing and filing routine court documents as required.
• Preparing and organizing file materials from electronic sources to trial files.
• Scheduling witness interviews which may involve attending and taking notes for Crown Prosecutors.
• Scheduling and organizing witness travel arrangements as required.
• Making arrangements and applications for Police Officers and other witnesses to testify remotely.
• Preparing witnesses for court by explaining the criminal process, answering questions or concerns, resolving issues and directing accused and/or witnesses to appropriate resources.
• Preparing and organizing trial books and exhibit books.
• Liaising with policing and other agencies to ensure that subpoenas have been served.
• Utilizing and updating the Justice Online Information Network (JOIN) and Prosecutor Information System Manager (PRISM) and Criminal e-file (CReF) to verify charges, court dates, assigned Prosecutors, locations and subpoenaed witnesses.
• Working within office procedures to track and maintain file integrity.
• Maintaining Crown Prosecutors’ diarizing system.
• Other office duties as required.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to work with all stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize work and meet tight deadlines. 
• Experience providing exemplary service to clients and other team members rendering them more efficient in their work.

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

Two-year diploma in a related field such as a Legal Assistant, Paralegal, Office Administration or Criminology plus a minimum of one year progressively responsible related experience such as Legal Assistant, Office Administration working in a legal administrative role within an office setting. 

Equivalencies considered:

Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

Required:

• Proficiency with personal computers and experience working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe) is required. 
• Outline your experience as it relates to the qualifications in detail in your cover letter, required.
• Knowledge of the importance of privilege and confidentiality.

Assets: 

• Experience working with JOIN and/ PRISM would be an asset.
• Experience working in any legal environment specializing in Criminal law 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 opportunity is located in Wetaskiwin.
The Hours of Work are 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

In addition to your resume, please include a cover letter briefly outlining your criminal law experience (applications without the Cover Letter may not be considered).  

Final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo security screening. Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. 

This competition may be used to fill future permanent, temporary, full time and part time vacancies.

The Alberta Public Service is a great place to work!

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
• 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
• Leadership and mentorship programs