Role Responsibilities

Are you an exceptional lawyer looking for a unique challenge with meaningful impact? Alberta Justice - Legal Services Division has an opportunity for you to join the Trade, Innovation, Post Secondary Legal Team (TIPS).

TIPS provides legal and strategic advice to the Government of Alberta, including to the following departments: Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Advanced Education, Tourism and Sport, Technology and Innovation, and Executive Council. We provide advice on contract and procurement matters, legislative development, domestic and international trade agreements, risk management, and departmental programs and strategic initiatives. The work is fast paced and provided in a team environment. 

In your role with TIPS, you’ll be responsible for:

• Interpreting and applying trade law and agreements in a provincial context;
• Providing legal advice and representation regarding trade disputes, trade agreement negotiations, and other related matters;
• Advising on domestic and international trade agreements, such as obligations of non-discrimination, incentives/subsidies, procurement, labour mobility and the application of legitimate objectives exceptions and other reservations;
• Acting as a resource for Legal Services Division colleagues in relation to trade law, for example in relation to any dispute settlement process (both person-to government and government-to-government dispute settlement processes);
• Advising on procurement issues (including compliance with trade agreements and procurement dispute settlement processes);
• Conducting legal research on domestic and international trade and investment law; 
• Drafting substantive legal opinions (often with cross-ministry involvement); 
• Providing legal and strategic advice to a diverse group of clients, with a focus on
  • Administrative Law
  • Contracts Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Statutory Interpretation
  • Trade Law
• Drafting and review of contracts, grants, and other legal agreements;
• Legal advisory services for the development of legislative projects.

The legal work will include matters relating to domestic and international trade negotiations, agreements and trade disputes, Alberta legislation, grant agreements, investment and export opportunities, and related programs.

To achieve success in this role, you will demonstrate:

• A strong client focus with the ability to respond quickly to address client needs;
• Excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills;
• Strong research skills;
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills;
• High flexibility and the ability to work along and with a team.

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.

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

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• 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. 
• Civil Crown Counsel 1: 0-4 years of legal experience.
• Civil Crown Counsel 2: a minimum of 4 years legal experience is required.
• Civil Crown Counsel 3: a minimum of 11 years legal experience is required.

Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset:

• Administrative Law
• Contracts Law
• Corporate Law
• Statutory Interpretation
• Trade Law

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.

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

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

Pre-employment checks:
Pre-employment checks will be completed to assess the candidate’s suitability for a role. These checks can include (but are not limited to): references, criminal record check, academic verification, driver’s abstract, and etcetera.

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.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies at the same or lower classifications. 

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

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.