LG CNSL 3 – Legal Counsel

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
Build your Future Law Career Here!

The Natural Resources, Transportation and Indigenous Legal Group, Indigenous Relation Relations, Barrister Unit, is recruiting up to three barristers – specifically including, Legal Counsel 3 (12 years of call or more) for regular, full time positions.

Indigenous legal issues can affect almost all aspects of Crown conduct, and British Columbia is at the forefront of these issues in terms of Court decisions, policy development and the reconciliation of Aboriginal and Crown titles and jurisdiction.  Aboriginal law in Canada has developed at a considerable pace since the enactment of the Constitution Act, 1982 and its inclusion of section 35, which constitutionally recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples of Canada.  For more than 20 years within Legal Services Branch, there has been a dedicated group of lawyers providing clients with trusted, thoughtful advice and representation in this highly specialized and critical legal area.  This is a great opportunity to be part of an exciting and challenging area of law that continues to evolve rapidly. 

The ability of the successful candidate to work independently and as part of litigation teams conducting Aboriginal rights and title trials, judicial reviews, tribunal hearings, and appeals at all Court levels is essential.  The successful candidate will be responsible for appearing (independently, or as co-counsel) on behalf of the Provincial government or statutory decision-makers at all levels of Court and before administrative tribunals on Aboriginal law issues.  Conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, applications, legal arguments and factums is expected, as well as the ability to manage large volumes of documents.  There will also be the expectation to develop an expertise in Aboriginal law, to keep current and identify trends in the law and innovative responses to new and evolving claims against the Crown.  Briefing or reporting to clients on file developments will also be required.

The successful candidate must have current knowledge of Canadian law in relation to Aboriginal rights and title issues, or current knowledge of constitutional and/or administrative law, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Draft Principles that guide the Province of British Columbia’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.  In addition, the successful candidate must have excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage files with competing priorities and deadlines, strong written and oral communication skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively are essential.  Travel will be 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

• Eligibility for Membership in the Law Society of British Columbia
• Level dependent on years of call (12 years of call or more for Legal Counsel 3)
• Significant and current civil litigation experience, including the conduct of actions, petitions and applications
  (Significant and current civil litigation experience is defined as the experience normally associated with a lawyer whose primary position and role throughout the four years preceding their application has been as litigation counsel and who have led the conduct of litigation or have been an active member of a litigation team)
   

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

• Applicants with current experience in Canadian law with respect to Aboriginal rights and title issues
• Applicants with current experience in Canadian constitutional and/or administrative law
• Applicants with experience in conducting and managing complex civil litigation

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 Jeff.Echols@gov.bc.ca.

About this Position:

• We currently have up to three regular, full time positions.
• An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.
• The successful applicant will be required to join the Professional Employees Association. Details about the terms and conditions of employment is available at Collective agreements – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca). Terms and conditions of any collective agreement that is negotiated between the PEA and the Province of British Columbia and pertaining to government legal counsel will be binding.
• Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment. Counsel in the Indigenous Legal Relations, Barrister Unit must reside in the Primary work location – Victoria, BC.

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.

Working for BC Public Service offers a competitive salary, diverse work environment, a healthy work/life balance, and excellent benefits. In addition to the base salary for Professional Employee Association members, there is an allowance to cover professional fees, strong dental and medical plans and much more. Salary listed does not include the additional 7% Overtime Shift Standby (OSS) provision that can be taken as taken as time off or salary on an annual basis which is on top of four (4) weeks annual leave.

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. Please indicate your year of call in all jurisdictions in your cover letter and outline how you meet the education and experience criteria.

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.

Additional Information:
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.
Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Standard Time on the closing date of the competition.