Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Jobs, Economy, and Trade has an exciting opportunity and is looking for a Legal Counsel to join our team at the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers’ Compensation!

The Appeals Commission is an administrative tribunal established under the Workers’ Compensation Act as the final level of appeal for workers’ compensation matters in the province of Alberta. Legal Counsel is directed by and reports to General Counsel. The main responsibilities of Legal Counsel are:
 

1. Providing Corporate Counsel

• Attends Commission hearings as legal advisor, when requested.
• Thoroughly researches and prepares clear and detailed memoranda concerning administrative law, legal practices and procedures before administrative tribunals.
• Provides ongoing legal advice and opinions, including ministerial briefings.
• Reviews and provides advice on draft decisions.

2. Researching and Investigating Legal Matters

• Conducts analysis and evaluation of case-specific issues and complex legal issues. 
• Prepares and researches legal briefs and opinions for General Counsel's review and approval.
• Recommends strategies and approaches.

3. Advising Appeals Commissioners

• Assists appeals commissioners with procedural issues relating. to appeal hearings 
• Advises appeals commissioners on pre and post-hearing matters relating to interpretation and application of the Workers’ Compensation Act and WCB Policy.
• Reviews and provides feedback on draft appeal decisions to ensure consistency, quality and timeliness.

4. Representing the Appeals Commission in Administrative Law

• Receives Notices of Motion and other documents on behalf of the Appeals Commission.
• Prepares returns in response to Notices of Motion, undertakes discussions with the legal counsel of parties to obtain agreements, and completes necessary filings.
• Prepares legal briefs, factums and other court documents.
• Liaise with legal counsel of other organizations, including the Workers' Compensation Board.
• Sits second chair at complex matters before the Courts, and represents the Appeals Commission at less complex matters.

5. Support General Counsel and Legal Services Team

• Works closely with General Counsel to establish priorities, standards and strategy for the Legal Services Team.
• Acts as a resource for Legal Assistant, Legal Services Summer Students, and Articling Students.
• Independently supports the Commission with legal needs in the absence of General Counsel.

6. Special Projects

• Assists with special projects relating to the operations of the Appeals Commission as directed by the Chief Appeals Commissioner.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

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:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies:

• Agility:  The Issues Manager supports a diverse team that works directly with Albertans, community agencies and child care providers and will be required to support their team to engage positively in change management. Program decisions can shift based on direction of Minister's Office - which requires ability to work quickly and proficiently to meet needs while supporting agencies to understand the change.
   
• Build Collaborative Environments:  The Issues Manager works with Division teams to support the successful implementation of divisional priorities while considering the current fiscal and human resourcing constraints.
   
• Systems Thinking:  The Issues Manager considers department business plan goals, strategic priorities, stakeholders, policies, programs, resources, and regulatory frameworks in order to appropriately delegate requests and collaborate on solutions.
   
• Creative Problem Solving:  Role would be contributing to creative solutions to ensure success given time and process constraints; requires analysis that incorporates differing perspectives.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) Degree and membership (or eligibility for membership) in the Law Society of Alberta.

A legal practitioner with a minimum of four years of legal experience in a variety of areas including Civil and Administrative Law. A sound knowledge of law relating to workers’ compensation, administrative law, contract law, employment law, privacy/FOIP, and civil procedure, as well as experience in presenting cases before the Court of King’s Bench.

Applicants who are members or immediately eligible to be members of the Law Society of Alberta but who do not meet the four-year experience requirement are encouraged to apply if they believe they have an equivalent combination of training and experience. Such applicants may be hired and placed at a lower classification until they meet the experience requirement.

A cover letter demonstrating your qualifications, experience and skills for this position is required. A written screening exercise may also be required prior to scheduling interviews. 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a permanent, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday (work from the office). 

Work location is in Edmonton and travel to the Calgary Office is required for Court and other matters on an infrequent basis.

Final 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. 

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs shifts/week).

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - About the Alberta Public Service | Alberta.ca

• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca

• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits

• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive

• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca

• 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 agreement

• Leadership and mentorship programs