Summary
Description
The Team
The Natural Resources, Transportation, and Indigenous Legal Group (NATRIL), Legal Services Branch, Ministry of Attorney General, is an established team of around 150 professionals.
Within NATRIL, there is one unit dedicated to historical research, and four units dedicated to unique areas of law that involve both solicitor work, as well as civil litigation.
The Attorney General is the legal advisor to the government of British Columbia and is charged with ensuring that the administration of public affairs is carried out in accordance with the law. The Ministry of Attorney General is structured to carry out this mandate under the direction of the Attorney General, and Legal Services Branch supports the Ministry in fulfilling this mandate by serving as legal advisor to government in civil law matters. Legal Services Branch provides legal advice to government and ensures that legal risks associated with government operations are reduced. Legal Services Branch’s clients include all Ministries of the government, Cabinet and certain public agencies.
The Role
We are recruiting up to three regular, full-time legal assistants for the Indigenous Legal Relations, Barrister Unit. We are looking for exceptional candidates with at least one full year of civil litigation support experience in a Canadian jurisdiction (within the last five years) working in a legal office as a legal assistant (or similar and equivalent support position).
You can expect in the Indigenous Legal Relations, Barrister Unit, a supportive, friendly and inclusive workplace culture where teamwork and respect are top priorities, and a workplace that is fully accessible. If you are an efficient and confident individual, with strong interpersonal skills, and a self-starter with a mature work ethic, we are looking for you!
The responsibilities of this position include providing legal and administrative assistance to barristers in the preparation of correspondence, pleadings, arguments, applications, etc., as well as compiling, organizing, binding and serving litigation support materials in proper form and within prescribed timelines, managing communication records to ensure completeness for reference and reporting, coordinating schedules for examinations, hearings, trials and meetings, maintaining precedents and bring forward system(s) to ensure that litigation deadlines are not missed, as well as significant file management responsibility for large litigation files. Familiarity with the steps in the flow of litigation is a strong asset and facilitating a pro-active approach to the assigned tasks and responsibilities.
Working knowledge of both legal processes and Law Society Rules are required, including an understanding of solicitor/client privilege and conflicts. Also required are excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, a high level of initiative and self-motivation, as well as flexibility in responding to shifting work demands, including working overtime when necessary. The successful candidate will be a collaborative team player and able to work well under pressure. Strong time-management skills and the ability to prioritize are essential. Exceptional proof-reading and editing skills are required.
In order to be considered for these positions, your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed below.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements
- Secondary school graduation or equivalent.
- Completion of a Legal Administrative Assistant program from a recognized institution, or equivalent experience gained through an administrative support role in a legal office environment.
- One full year of experience (within the last five years) providing legal assistant support to civil litigation counsel, or one full year of experience in a similar and equivalent administrative support position in a legal office environment in a Canadian jurisdiction.
Preference may be given to applicants with one (1) or more of the following:
- Applicants that have a Certificate in Legal Office Administration.
- Applicants with more than one year of experience (within the last five years) providing legal assistant support to civil litigation counsel in a Canadian jurisdiction.
For questions regarding this position, please contact Jaime.Taylor@gov.bc.ca.
About this Position:
We currently have up to three regular, full-time positions.
These positions are based in Victoria.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.
These positions are excluded from union membership.
A Criminal Record Check will be required.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.
What do we have to offer?
- Regular, Full-Time Employees and Benefits:
- Paid vacation (20 working days to start).
- Leave for personal matters (family illness, weddings, birth or adoption, funeral leave, cultural leave for Indigenous employees, household emergencies and moving, etc.).
- Extended health and dental care, pension plan and life insurance.
- Pacific Leaders scholarships for public servants, as well as for children of public servants.
Other:
- Employee assistance program available 24/7.
- Internal corporate learning and education available to all BC Public Service employees.
- Accessible worksite, BC Transit ProPASS available for purchase through payroll deductions, and the worksite is near a city parkade.
The capital of British Columbia, Victoria, is a beautiful city with stunning beaches and harbours, and a variety of Provincial parks to explore. Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria offers a bustling downtown scene and has a wide range of restaurants and entertainment venues to choose from.
Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.
The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.
The BC Public Service is an award-winning employer and offers employees competitive benefits, flexible working arrangements, amazing learning opportunities and a chance to engage in rewarding work with exciting career development opportunities. For more information, please see What We Offer.
How to Apply:
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed above. Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting.
Cover Letter: YES – A cover letter is required as part of your application. The content and/or format of your cover letter may be evaluated as part of the assessment process.
Resume: YES – Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.
Questionnaire: YES – You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.
Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.
