CR CNSL 2/3 – Bilingual Crown Counsel

The Team
The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) plays a crucial role in protecting society by independently, effectively, and fairly conducting prosecutions and appeals at all levels of court. With a dedicated team of approximately 550 Crown Counsel across British Columbia, we are organized into five regions: North, Interior, Fraser, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island-Powell River. Additionally, we have specialized criminal appeals and special prosecutions offices in Vancouver and Victoria, with our provincial headquarters located in Victoria.

This position will be based in the Prosecution Support Unit which is in the Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions (CASP) division of the BCPS. 

CASP is responsible for the following areas of practice: (1) all indictable criminal appeals undertaken to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada, including interventions [Criminal Appeals Section]; (2) prosecutions involving commercial, police and regulatory prosecutions; (3) organized and major crime prosecutions; (4) providing prosecutorial litigation support to other prosecution offices within the BCPS in respect of constitutional challenges that arise in the trial courts [Prosecution Support Unit]; (5) the delivery of legal resources and learning and development opportunities for the BCPS; (6) French and bilingual prosecutions; (7) the administration of matters before the BC Review Board.

For more information about the BC Prosecution Service, please visit our website.

The Role
As a Bilingual Crown Counsel, you will have conduct of French and bilingual prosecution files from around the Province. You will lead the prosecution of offences under the Criminal Code, provincial laws, and certain federal statutes, from start to finish. You’ll make important decisions about which charges to pursue and guide cases through the court process, all in line with BC Prosecution Service policies and the Crown Counsel Act. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to support witnesses, victims, and their families with care and respect, ensuring they feel prepared and informed throughout the court proceedings. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a positive impact on the justice system and the community.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia, or immediate eligibility for call to the British Columbia Bar.
• Crown Counsel Level 2:  Counsel in their 6th to 11th year of call, with a minimum of 3 years of recent criminal law (trial or appellate) experience as a called and practicing lawyer in Canada.
• Crown Counsel Level 3:  Counsel in their 12th year of call or greater, with a minimum of 3 years of recent criminal law (trial or appellate) experience as a called and practicing lawyer in Canada.
• Significant trial experience.
• Must be able to speak and write fluently in French and English.

Preference may be given to lawyers with one (1) or more of the following:

• Lawyers with 8 or more years of criminal law (trial or appellate) experience as a called and practicing lawyer in Canada.
• Lawyers with criminal prosecution experience.
• Lawyers who have conducted trials in French.

Provisos:

• Travel is mandatory for this position.  The successful candidate will be expected to regularly travel anywhere in the Province.  The travel requirement could be up to several times per month and for multiple days at a time – it will vary depending on operational requirements.

• Crown Counsel must be ready, willing, and able to routinely:
  • deal with disturbing cases, including images of child sexual assault and child sexual abuse;
  • deal with victims and witnesses who have been subjected to or witnessed traumatic events, including sexual abuse, catastrophic injuries, and death, or have suffered other forms of extreme personal loss;
  • deal with traumatic violence or death scenes including images of and evidence about deceased persons with catastrophic injuries;
  • manage sensitive, graphic, and highly confidential information; and,
  • be the object of negative public or media comment or criticism with limited ability to respond.

IMPORTANT: Where there is a difference between the qualifications reflected in the posting and the Job Profile, those stated on the job posting will be used for screening purposes.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Daphne Kvenich.

About this Position:
There is one (1) regular, full time position available in Vancouver.
Flexible work options are available; this position may be able to work from home a few days a week subject to an approved telework agreement.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.
This position is included in the Crown Counsel Association. Under the Public Service Labour Relations Act, this position is excluded from union membership. The terms and conditions of employment for union excluded positions are outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Excluded Employees available through the following website: Terms and conditions for excluded employees and appointees – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
A Criminal Record Review Act Check (CRRA) and Enhanced Security Screening will be required.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

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.

Compensation Includes:

• 20 days of annual vacation to start, increasing over time to 35 days, plus 8 additional earned days off and 2 supplemental leave days
• An annual conference and a full spectrum of professional development and learning opportunities
• An attractive public service pension and benefits package

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: NO – Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

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. *Please note that applicants will have their French speaking and writing skills assessed for fluency in the competition process.

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.