Counsel - Take the Next Step in Your Career!

About the position

Duties
As Counsel at the PPSC, you will conduct criminal prosecutions on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions on many significant and complex cases. In addition to offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and other federal Regulatory legislation, the Yukon and Nunavut Regional Offices of the PPSC prosecute Criminal Code offences, including homicide impaired driving and sexually violent offences.

In Nunavut, the NRO services 24 remote fly-in communities, in addition to court sittings in Iqaluit, jury trials in Iqaluit and the communities, bail court, and the summary-conviction Justice of the Peace court. Travel weeks are scheduled from Friday-to-Friday, often traveling with another crown, Crown Witness Coordinator, and members of the court party. In the Yukon, the YRO services 14 communities, conducting circuit courts, special sittings and jury trials. Crown counsel and Crown Witness Coordinators travel to most communities by vehicle, with the exception of Old Crow. Joining the Public Prosecution Service of Canada will be a transformative experience, both professionally and personally.

Work environment
The Department:

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) is a national organization of approximately 1,000 employees across Canada, dedicated to prosecuting federal offences. We offer meaningful career opportunities for legal and business professionals.Our updated Mission and Values reflect a strong commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, as well as Equity and Inclusion. We recognize the impact of systemic discrimination and are working to support a fairer justice system for all, particularly Indigenous and racialized communities.At the PPSC, every employee contributes to a workplace where people feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Through our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) structure, employees can engage with one of five National Councils for Employees: Persons living with Disabilities, Racialized Persons, Black Persons, Indigenous Peoples, and 2SLGBTQIA+.We’ve also modernized our Decision to Prosecute test to help prosecutors recognize and address bias and systemic factors, ensuring decisions reflect both legal standards and the broader public interest.Learn more about our mission and values: https://www.ppsc-sppc.gc.ca/eng/bas/mis-mis.html.The Nunavut and Yukon Regional Offices:Nunavut is an Inuit territory, where societal values are guided by the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit Traditional Knowledge). As a PPSC employee, you will have a particular responsibility to respect traditional approaches to justice, including restorative justice programs that incorporate Inuit values and culture, and embody the spirit of Inuit Qaujmajatuqangit. The Nunavut Regional Office embraces a welcoming, culturally sensitive and representative workplace. Inuktitut, as well as English and French, is widely spoken within the office. Inuit culture is celebrated. Impromptu, as well as work-related, gatherings occur to share country food such as bannock, seal, caribou and fish.The Yukon Regional Office is responsible for prosecutions throughout Yukon Territory. The regional headquarters is located in Whitehorse which is Yukon's capital and a major northern hub. It enjoys facilities, services and businesses far beyond the expectation of a city of 35,000. It is a big little city surrounded by wilderness with the amenities of a much larger destination paired with the friendly demeanour of a close-knit community. For more information on life in the Yukon please visit:
http://www.travelyukon.com/About Additional benefits of working in the North: 1) Northern Allowance - in addition to your base salary to offset the costs of living in the North.
2) Relocation assistance.
3) Vacation Travel Assistance - paid travel outside the territory once or twice a year depending on location. The amount allocated varies.
4) Room for growth in our organization.
5) Training opportunities.
6) Government Housing (Nunavut only).

Intent of the process
This selection process will be used to fill current and future vacancies at the LP-01 and LP-02 levels. Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis and applicants may be contacted for further assessment.

For LP-01 Appointments:
Upon appointment to the LP-01 position, the selected candidate will be placed in the Federal Prosecutors Development Program (FPDP). The FPDP is an organization-wide program designed to ensure that new federal prosecutors gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be effective working-level (LP-02) prosecutors typically within four years.Appointments to the FPDP may be either term or indeterminate. Regardless of the initial appointment type, candidates may be eligible for an indeterminate appointment to the LP-02 level upon successful completion of the program.

Important messages
When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Conditions of employment

- Security Clearance: Enhanced Reliability
- Medical clearance.
- Member in good standing in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada.
- Authority to work and appear as counsel with respect to matters under federal and territorial jurisdiction in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Law Society of Nunavut or the Law Society of Yukon.
- Applicants must be willing to be assigned to other types of work at the same group, level and tenure within the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Assignment of work may be made within or between the various teams of counsel within the office and will be based on operational considerations and will not require relocation of residence.
- All conditions of employment must be met and maintained by applicants throughout their tenure in the position.

Operational Requirements

Operational Requirements:

- Possession of a valid driver’s licence. Note: the licence class must, at a minimum, authorize the driver to drive a car, van or small truck, on all roads and highways without an accompanying driver (Yukon only).
- Requirement to travel which may include assignments on short notice and for extended periods.
- Ability and willingness to work outside normal working hours which may include working evenings, nights and weekends based on operational needs.

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

Occupational Certification:
- Eligibility for membership in the Bar of Nunavut and/or Yukon.

Experience:

LP-01:
-Experience in making appearances in court as counsel, articling student or law student.LP- 02:
- Recent* experience in the conduct of criminal or quasi-criminal litigation. Experience is associated with a broad range of criminal litigation over a three (3) year period.
*Recent refers to the experience obtained in the last five (5) years.

Applied / assessed at a later date

Knowledge:

LP-01:
-Basic* knowledge of criminal law and procedures including knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms *Basic is defined as fundamental and developmental constituting the basis or starting point.
LP-02:
-Sound* knowledge of the role and practices of Crown Counsel in the conduct of criminal litigation in the Public Prosecution Service of Canada
-Sound* knowledge of criminal law and procedures including knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its relevant case law*Sound is defined as being capable of fulfilling their duties with minimal direction based on thorough knowledge.

Competencies:
- Specialized Skills and Knowledge (such as understanding one’s role, legal skills and legal knowledge)
- Professionalism (such as professional conduct, professional fortitude, service orientation and self assessment)
- Judgement (such as decision making, critical thinking, and adaptability)
- Practice Management (such as file management)
- Communicating effectively (such as verbally, in writing and by listening attentively)
- Interpersonal Relationships (such as building relationships and emotion management)
- Leadership (such as coaching and mentoring, influencing others and teamwork)

Language requirements (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

English essential

Learn more about language requirements.

You may need (asset qualifications)

May be applied / assessed at a later date

Asset Qualifications – Experience:
-Experience that demonstrates an interest in criminal law.
-Experience working as Crown Prosecutor or criminal defence counsel.
-Experience working in a cross cultural environment, particularly in Indigenous communities.
-Experience working in a northern environment.

Organizational Needs:

The PPSC is committed to establishing and maintaining a workforce that represents the Canadian public we serve. We believe that a broad range of perspectives encourages effective prosecution and cultivates trust in our communities. Through intentional screening, assessment, and/or selection that may first consider candidates who self-declare as members of the following groups, we aim to address the historical underrepresentation of Black people, Indigenous persons*, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community**, persons with disabilities, racialized persons*, and/or women in the PPSC and the Public Service. *Please note that in the Employment Equity Act and the self-declaration form Indigenous persons are currently designated as Aboriginal peoples and racialized persons are designated as Visible minorities.
**Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and additional sexual orientations and gender identities.Persons self-identifying as Nunavut Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement may be selected for appointment in Nunavut to fulfill organizational needs.

Our commitment

Accessibility:
We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring an inclusive hiring process. If you require—or think you may require—accommodations at any stage, please contact us using the contact information below. We take a “Yes, by default” approach to accessibility and will work with you to meet your individual needs while maintaining fair assessment standards. All requests are confidential, and your privacy will be respected.

Learn more about assessment accommodation.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The PPSC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the Canadian population. We foster an inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, especially those from equity-deserving groups, including members of a racialized group, Black persons, persons living with a disability, Indigenous Peoples, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

Learn more about preference to veterans.

How to apply

Learn more about applying for Government of Canada jobs.

Information you must provide

• Your résumé

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Additional links

Learn about Diversity and Inclusion at the PPSC! Click here!

Hiring organization contact

Name: Stacey LaCroix-Sauve, Senior Human Resources Advisor
Email address: [email protected]

Name: Denise Tremblay, Human Resources Assistant
Email address: [email protected]
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