Legal Assistant

Role Responsibilities

Put your legal and administrative skills to work where they matter. If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoy keeping complex work organized and on track, this could be the opportunity for you.

The Appeals and Specialized Prosecuti ons Office (ASO) of the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) is looking for a Legal Assistant to provide essential legal and administrative support in the prosecution of criminal and provincial offences.

In this role, you will work closely with Crown Prosecutors, manage critical legal information and documentation, and help support the effective delivery of prosecution services.

What You’ll Do:

• Make travel arrangements and prepare expense reports for Crown Prosecutor.
• Liaise with external and internal stakeholders to ensure appropriate handling of criminal files.
• Manage, organize and maintain Crown files.
• Maintain Crown Prosecutor diaries and diarization system through Outlook.
• Extracts of Key Evidence and other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada documents such as Notices of Appeal, Notices of Motion and Orders.
• Respond to and follow up enquiries from the public, defense counsel and the accused.
• Participate in legal research activities at the direction of Crown Prosecutors.
• Utilize the Justice Online Information Network (JOIN) and the Prosecutor Information System Manager (PRISM) to verify charges, court dates, assigned prosecutor, locations.
• Create and complete all forms of correspondence.
• Perform specialized ad hoc administrative tasks as assigned 
• Cover reception duties
• Assist other Legal Assistants as required 

To Be Successful in This Role, You Will Have:

• A comprehensive understanding of the Justice system and processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work with stakeholders in a professional manner.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize work and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively with a wide variety of people
• Strong working knowledge of office procedures and computer programs such as the Justice Online Information Network (JOIN), PRISM, Microsoft Office, Database programs and Adobe Pro.
  
  

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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: to understand the broader impact of your work and to anticipate outcomes.
• Creative Problem Solving: to assess options and implications that will reach the best solutions.
• Agility: to quickly adapt to changing priorities and to respond with effective decisions .
• Develop Networks: to proactively build networks, connect and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

Qualifications

Two-year diploma in a related field such as Legal Assistant, Paralegal, Criminology or a related discipline, plus a minimum of one year of progressively responsible related experience in a legal or office administration role within an office setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience?

Equivalencies considered:

Directly related education and experience may be considered on a one-for-one basis. For Example:

• 1-year related certificate + 2 years of related experience
  
  
• No related post-secondary education + 3 years of directly related experience
  
  
• 3 years of directly related post-secondary education + no related experience

Required

• Experience working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Adobe).

Assets 

• Experience working with JOIN, PRISM, Criminal eFile.
• Experience in a legal environment specializing in Criminal law is preferred.
• Experience working in a Legal administrative role within an office environment

Cover Letter Requirement: In your cover letter, please briefly describe how your experience relates to the role. 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.

Notes

Position Information:

This opportunity is located in Edmonton or Calgary.

Hours of work per week: 36.25 hours/week., Monday to Friday

In addition to your resume, please include a cover letter briefly outlining your criminal law experience (applications without the Cover Letter may not be considered).  

• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

• There are temporary and permanent positions available. The temporary positions would be a tenure of 12 months with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent.

This competition may be used to fill current and future vacancies across government at the same or lower classification.  

You may be exposed to highly sensitive and confidential information, which may be of a graphic nature that may have a strong emotional impact. Graphic material may include, but is not limited to, murder scenes and assault victim(s), autopsy photos, 911 audios and material relating to child exploitation investigations.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).

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 we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.