Job Description

Competition # : 41356

Department: Justice

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGLA

Closing Date: 18-Jan-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants who identify as Indigenous Person, African/Black Nova Scotians or Other Racially Visible Persons. You must self-identify during the application process.

See the for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.

About Us

The Legal Services Division of the Department of Justice is the government\'s law office, responsible for the provision of all legal services (excluding prosecutions) to the Province of Nova Scotia. The lawyers in the Legal Services Division provide legal advice and services on a broad range of matters to the Government and many of its agencies, boards and commissions. The Legal Services Division consists of Solicitor Services, Litigation Services and the Registry of Regulations.

For more information on the Department of Justice Legal Services please visit our website:

About Our Opportunity

As a member of the Family Litigation Services team, the lawyer will be responsible for the effective and efficient representation of the Crown in the course of proceedings before trial and appeal courts in the areas of Child Protection (primarily) as well as, possibly, Adult Protection and Maintenance Enforcement Program Litigation.

Primary Accountabilities

\xc2\xb7 Consult with client representatives, which may include Deputy Ministers, Executive Directors, and other senior leaders on matters involving law, negotiation, tactics or public policy; may attend management committees of client departments or frequently attend the meetings

\xc2\xb7 Appear before the Supreme Court, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and Family Court regularly and the Supreme Court of Canada occasionally

\xc2\xb7 Serve on interdepartmental committees and project teams with senior and intermediate staff of client departments

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must:

\xc2\xb7 Be a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society (or eligible for practicing membership).

\xc2\xb7 Have a working knowledge of computer software programs, Internet and electronic mail.

The successful candidate will have the demonstrated ability to offer creative and innovative solutions to complex challenges, as well as the flexibility to adapt and thrive in a continuously changing and demanding environment. They will be able to effectively deal with stressful situations and have proven analytical skills, effective interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills and the ability to function with minimal supervision in a team environment.

The following are considered asset qualifications for the position:

\xc2\xb7 Practice experience in family law.

\xc2\xb7 Practice experience representing a child protection agency.

\xc2\xb7 Practice experience in child protection law.

\xc2\xb7 Experience practicing within government.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

• Physical effort includes:

• Sitting at a computer for long periods of time
• Sensory attention includes:

• Ability to review voluminous written material, to write, to think conceptually and to think strategically
• Mental focus is required for long periods of time and very good memory is required
• Ability to handle adversarial and hostile people in ways that de-escalate and build insights with others in frequently required.
• Mental pressure includes:

• Ability to handle pressure situations, multiple deadlines and many competing demands.
• Long periods of concentration are required at hearings and writing briefs
• Must handle hostile situations in a way that allows one to glean the relevant information but not engage it personally and not react to it negatively.
• May be required to work overtime on occasion

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• countless career paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: LAW 01 - LAW 03

Salary Range: $3,281.34 - $6,054.01 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is an Association position initially restricted to current Nova Scotia Government Lawyers Association employees. In accordance with the Agreement with the Nova Scotia Government Lawyers Association, the order of consideration will be eligible internal applicants and then external applicants. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia