Legal Counsel

One of Alberta Justice’s core businesses is to provide Legal and strategic services to government and is done by the Legal Services Division. It includes providing legal advice, managing risks, conducting civil litigation, drafting legislation, regulations and orders-in-council, and retaining outside counsel. Legal Services is proud to be a learning organization and offers employees opportunities to learn and grow in their careers.

The Legislative Counsel Office is responsible for drafting government bills, regulations and Orders in Council. The office also works with the King’s Printer to make the laws of Alberta available to the public.

Job Information

Job Requisition ID: 51686
Ministry: Justice
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Regular/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: Open until suitable candidates found
Classification: Civil Crown Counsel 1 - 4
Salary:

Civil Crown Counsel 1 (Less than four years of related experience):
$3,633.50 - $4,577.16 bi-weekly / ($94,834 - $119,463/year)

Civil Crown Counsel 2 (Four years to 11 years of related experience):

$5,148.92 - $6,376.28 bi-weekly / ($134,386 - $166,420/year)

Civil Crown Counsel 3 (More than 11 years of related experience):
$6,857.81 - $7,604.03 bi-weekly / ($178,988 - $198,465/year)

Civil Crown Counsel 4 (More than 11 years of related experience):
$7,826.61 - $8,608.77 bi-weekly / ($204,274 - $224,688/year)

Role Responsibilities

The Alberta Legislative Counsel Office is looking for self-motivated, energetic individuals with demonstrated legislative drafting skills who will use their excellent English language writing ability to draft high quality Government Bills for introduction in the Legislative Assembly and to draft Regulations and Orders in Council for Government. You will provide advice to the Government and Crown agencies on the development of legislation and regulatory policies.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Legislative Counsel, you will assist the Alberta Government and its Ministries in achieving their legislative objectives by drafting complex bills and regulations in accordance with Legislative Counsel Office standards and performing related legal services.

This position will ensure client Ministries’ policy objectives are met by:

• Providing legal and legislative advice and opinions on legislative proposals made by ministries;

• Advising ministry officials on their legislative proposals and assisting them in achieving their policy goals through legislation where appropriate;

• Providing impartial, high-quality legislative drafting services to the government;

• Drafting bills and regulations in a timely and effective manner in accordance with drafting standards; and

• Responding to client ministries’ concerns and questions regarding the making, drafting, and filing of regulations.

Qualifications

A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD) is required. You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta. A minimum of 2 years of legislative drafting experience is required.

Intellectual inquiry, problem-solving and innovative thinking, combined with precision and thoroughness, are required in this position. Strong client focus, effective verbal and written communication skills, and effective interpersonal skills are essential to your success in this role, as you must understand your client's policy goals and be able to express them in a legislative framework that the clients can understand and explain to others. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively will ensure you are successful in meeting the demands of this position.

As an ideal candidate you possess:

• A minimum of 2 years experience drafting government legislation while employed as a legislative drafter for a Government Legislative Counsel Office or a Parliamentary Counsel Office;

• At least one legislative drafting course;

• Exceptional legal, problem solving and communication skills; and

• Exceptional analytical, research, and writing skills.

The following will be considered assets:

• Experience working on developing legislation, such as experience as a legislative planner with a provincial or federal Government;

• Experience as a solicitor with a Government Department providing advice on the interpretation and application of legislation; and

• A graduate diploma or professional certificate in Legislative Drafting.

In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:
Legal experience and expertise,
Relevant strengths and skills, and
Reasons for interest in the position
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Notes

Hours of Work: 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours of work per week (Monday to Friday).

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service

• Professional learning and development

• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool

• Management Employees Pension Plan (MSPP)

• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)

• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information (Benefits)

• Leadership and mentorship programs

• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance

• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreements

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.

Systems Thinking: Work done is part of a larger integrated and inner-related environment. Allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.

Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience and work effectively in changing environments.

Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability.

Develop Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with stakeholders.

Build Collaborative Environment: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively.

Develop Self and Others: Commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others.

How To Apply

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements.

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.

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements.

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 Joe Nasr at joe.nasr@gov.ab.ca.