Barrister & Solicitor

Role Responsibilities

Are you ready to use your legal skills in a role that makes a tangible difference? Join a team that supports key decisions shaping Alberta’s health and mental health systems. The Legal Services Division has an exciting opportunity for an intermediate/senior level lawyer to join the Health Law Team.

The Health Law Team provides specialized legal services on a diverse range of issues to three government departments: Primary and Preventative Health Services, Hospital and Surgical Health Services, and Mental Health and Addiction.  Particularly as the province’s health care system undergoes a number of changes, the Health Law Team regularly advises on matters that are challenging, novel, interesting, and directly applicable to Albertans.

As a Barrister & Solicitor, you will work in a team environment to support our three client departments. The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Providing general corporate counsel legal and related strategic advice, including assessing legal risks and recommending mitigation strategies,
• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts, grant agreements, and other forms of agreement,
• Statutory interpretation and advice on compliance with legislation,
• Providing legal advice on the development of legislation and legislative amendments,
• Preparing legal opinions, briefing notes, and various orders and directives,
• Mentoring other Civil Crown Counsel on the team, and
• Collaborating effectively with colleagues on the team and on other teams across the division.
   

One or more of the positions will have a focus on privacy law (including advice regarding the Health Information Act) and public health law. 

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

• A strong client focus,
• Exceptional legal, and problem-solving skills, and
• High flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to address changing client needs, issues, and priorities.

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.

• Agility - Must be able to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience, and work effectively in changing environments.
• Drive for Results - Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them.  Follows through on duties and tasks and reports on progress.
• Develop Self and Others - Desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of self and others.
• Build Collaborative Environments - Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Develop Networks - Proactively builds networks, connects and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking - Understands how work contributes to the achievement of departmental goals. Anticipates changes in own area based on activities in other areas.
• Creative Problem Solving - Have the ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

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: 3-4 years of legal experience.
• Civil Crown Counsel 2: Minimum of 4 years of legal experience.
• Civil Crown Counsel 3: Minimum of 11 years of legal experience.

A cover letter is required along with your application. In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:

• Your legal experience and expertise,
• Relevant strengths and skills, and
• Reasons for interest in the position.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset:

• Health law (particularly public health law)
• Privacy law

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) permanent and two (2) temporary positions are available.
 
Location: These opportunities are all based in Edmonton.
 
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 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.