Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for an opportunity to demonstrate your disclosure expertise within the Family and Surrogate Court Litigation team in Calgary?  If you are a self-motivator, innovative thinker and able to work independently as well as part of an integral legal team, FASCL has a Temporary opportunity available for a LA3 Family Law Disclosure Paralegal position. 

This position requires an extreme attention to detail. The ability to multi-task and adjust to changing priorities is critical. You will also need strong organizational skills. 

The Family Law Disclosure Paralegal plays an integral role on the FASCL Calgary Legal Team . Duties include but not limited to :

• Facilitate and vet documents pursuant to the confidentiality provision under s.126 Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act; comprehension and understanding of CYFEA.  Assists lawyers in providing disclosure either in hard copy and/ or electronic format.
• Develop practices such as checklists, file synopsis, indexing disclosure, tracking timelines of disclosure requests, ensuring consistent vetting practices, requesting and compiling disclosure from clients.
• Attend regular practice group meetings.
• Correspond with social workers regarding misfiled original correspondence on client’s original files.  
• Provide administrative support to specific lawyers as directed by office supervisor.
• Paralegal must exercise judgement on release of information, participates in decision making of release of confidential information with lawyers.
• Review incoming electronic disclosure and be able to sort and review material for duplication.
• Working with client’s original files and Family Law case files, the paralegal maintains file inventories, maintains logs as to status of disclosure requests and through CYFEA knowledge and understanding of court process, the paralegal is able to meet trial provisions.  
• Prioritizing and scheduling assignments to meet court deadlines.
• Develop checklist on each file to identify third party information.
• Analyze and assess confidential information.  
• Review file in it’s entirety to understand, assess, organize and index.
• Vetting and organizing large volumes of documents such as Contact Notes (handwritten), Court Reports, Court Documents, Foster Home and Group Home notes, Visit Supervisor Notes, Psychological and Psychiatric Reports, Medical Reports, Duty Reports, Screenings, etc.
• Information is extensive.
• Identify third party information, vet accordingly.
• Maintain and create scanned disclosure log.
• Scan information using ISCAN / ESCAN programs and provide instructions to outside counsel and interested parties in order to utilize ADOBE to facilitate review of vetted materials.

Role Responsibilities (continued)

To be successful in this role, you will need to:

• Have exceptional time management skills
• Pay attention to details
• Demonstrate an ability to encourage others
• Work as part of a team
• Work independently with minimum supervision
• Handle a fast-paced and high volume workload for multiple lawyers, while meeting necessary deadlines and ensuring high quality standards are met.

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.

• Systems Thinking: Seeks Clarity - Identifies several analytical techniques and sources of knowledge to break apart complex problems.
• Agility: Seeks out new opportunities - Identifies alternative approaches or courses of action in unclear and complex situations. Supports others to identify, assess, and use alternative approaches.
• Drive for Results: Plan for results - Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them. Follows through on duties and tasks and reports on progress.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Encourages diversity – Promotes collaboration and positive relationships (even in challenging circumstances) within and across groups and builds commitment to reach desired results.

Qualifications

A Two Year Legal Assistant diploma or in any other related field, supplemented with at least two (2) years of related experience. 
Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis:

• One year of experience for one year of education
• One year of education for one year of experience.

Requirements:

• Proficiency in Adobe Pro.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office program (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Experience with court procedure and relevant legislation and a firm foundation in civil law.
• Experience with record keeping electronically with programs like Prolaw.

Assets:

• Experience with family law and child welfare.
• Experience with disclosure duties and records management.

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: Monday – Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25/week)

Positions Currently available: One (1) Temporary salaried position 6-12 months.

Location: 16th Floor, 639- 5th Avenue SW, Calgary AB.

Final candidates will be asked 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 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
• 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
• Leadership and mentorship programs