Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel



About Us
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 Alberta Human Rights Commission is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Role
This is an excellent opportunity for a litigation lawyer who is passionate about human rights and committed to serving the public interest. In this role you will represent the Director before the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal involving complaints alleging discrimination in a broad range of areas, including employment, goods, services and facilities, and housing. You will also provide advice to the Director and Commission staff in human rights, administrative law, and related legal disciplines. This is a permanent role.

Your experience working with, and sensitivity to the lived experience of Albertans who are from communities that have traditionally been marginalized and disadvantaged will be of particular value in this role.

This is a unique opportunity to develop skills and experience in both traditional legal processes, as well as alternative dispute resolution techniques. You will help support, and be supported by a dynamic and collaborative team focused on advancing the Mission, Mandate and role of the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

The Commission has a two-fold mandate: to foster equality and to reduce discrimination. It fulfills this mandate through public education and community initiatives, through the resolution and settlement of human rights complaints, and through human rights tribunal and court hearings.

The specific responsibilities of this position include: review files and provide your opinion on merit and remedy, resolve files and process settlement agreements and payments, provide advice to the Director on complex and unusual legal matters, and provide legal support to staff. You will also be responsible for preparing for and conducting TDR (Tribunal Dispute Resolution) sessions with the parties, attending preliminary hearings, and arguing matters on behalf of the Director at tribunal.

Other highlights of this position include:
- Responding to court request, submitting records and preparing for and attending court hearings;
- Updating legal opinions and creating new opinions;
- Issuing briefing summaries on new jurisprudence;
- Providing legal reviews and opinions on individual files for Human Rights Officers;
- As requested by the Director or Chief, providing input for changes to the Act, bylaws, policies, procedures and protocols;
- Reviewing materials maintained by Communication, Education and Engagement for training purposes;
- Supervising legal reviews and opinions conducted by external counsel for the Commission;
- Completing special projects requested by the Director.

As the successful candidate, you will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Highly developed interpersonal skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work well with others within a dynamic environment;
- Excellent litigation and dispute resolution skills;
- A strong attention to detail and good decision-making skills;
- The ability to identify issues as well as new opportunities;
- Respond well under pressure;
- The ability to see the big picture and be proactive and adaptable;
- A positive outlook and a hardworking, professional attitude;
- Exceptional organizational and time-management skills;
- Well-developed analytical, research, and consultation skills that allow you to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of staff and external stakeholders;
- Strong ethical, and professional qualities, highest commitment to public service and the public interest.

Qualifications
A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B or J.D.), active member or eligible for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta and substantial related legal experience is required. Experience in Litigation and alternative dispute resolution is required. A strong understanding of Human Rights Law and administrative law, is required. Experience in written and oral advocacy, law of evidence, examination and cross examination of witnesses are essential. An understanding of current issues related to diversity, inclusion and systemic discrimination is an asset.

APS Competencies
Competencies are behaviours 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. The link below will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Creative Problem Solving: Ability to gather information from varied sources, analyze and interpret information to formulate reports and make decisions related to case planning.

Agility: Ability to prioritize competing workload pressures in an effective manner and contribute to the organizational goals.

Drive for Results: Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities in order to deliver outcomes consistent with departmental objectives and directives.

Building Collaborative Environment: Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with a variety of teams within the workplace, community and other Government ministries/agencies to meet client and Commission goals and objectives.

Developing Networks: Ability to interact positively, build relationships and work effectively with others.
Salary
Legal Counsel 2 (4 years to 13 years of related experience): $4,445.92 to $5,670.90 bi-weekly ($116,038 - $148,010/year) 
Legal Counsel 3 (more than 11 years of related experience): $5,604.75 to $6,547.96 bi-weekly ($146,283 - $170,901/year)
Notes
Hours of work:  Monday – Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25/week).

Please note, this competition is for both Edmonton or Calgary. Please specify your preference on your application.

Final candidates will be asked to undergo a security screening.

What we offer:

This competition may be used to fill current and future vacancies within Government of Alberta.

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).

Please outline how your experience as it relates to the qualifications in detail in your cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
How To Apply
Click on the “Apply Now” button. 

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/navigating-online-jobs-application.aspx to learn more about creating a candidate profile and other tips for the Government of Alberta’s online application system.

If you are not currently an employee with the Government of Alberta, the first step in applying for a job is creating your candidate profile within our online application system, click here to access the main log in page where you are able to ‘Create an account’, reset your password (‘Forgot your password’) or ‘Sign  In’ should you already have an account.

Existing employees should access the Career tile in 1GX to submit their application in order to be recognized as an internal applicant.

Once you have created your candidate profile, visit the Alberta Public Service job site to apply for jobs at https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-jobs.aspx.

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. 

Resources for applicants:
https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx
https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx
https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/

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) or from recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.   

Closing Statement
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 a copy of the role profile, and/or require a disability related accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Veronica Noronha at Veronica.Noronha@gov.ab.ca.

If this competition is closed as per the closing date noted above, please continue to check http://www.jobs.alberta.ca for a listing of current career opportunities with the Government of Alberta.

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