Job Description

Competition # : 39104

Department: Justice

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGLA

Closing Date: 5/26/2023 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Legal Services Division is the government\'s law firm, providing a full range of legal advice and services to support government operations and help government achieve its corporate priorities. With a staff of more than 150 lawyers, paralegals, researchers and administrative professionals, the Division is one of the largest law offices in the province.

We are skilled in administrative law, negotiation and drafting of agreements, commercial transactions, corporate governance, property transactions, the development of legislation and regulations to implement the public policy goals of government, support in employment and labour matters, and day to day advice on routine legal matters.

We represent government in all legal proceedings, except prosecutions. This includes formal litigation on behalf of the Crown before all levels of courts in the Province, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. Typical cases brought before these courts include judicial review applications, statutory appeals, contractual disputes, constitutional issues, class actions, child and adult protection proceedings, and other claims made by or against government.

We also represent government before administrative bodies and tribunals, and in arbitrations and mediations. We assist government departments and agencies navigate the procedural and substantive aspects of these proceedings and help them resolve disputes.

As well we are home to the Registry of Regulations, which is responsible for filing, consolidating and publishing Nova Scotia regulations. For more information on the Department of Justice Legal Services please visit our website:

About Our Opportunity

We are recruiting for a lawyer for one of our Solicitor Services teams. The solicitor is responsible for providing effective and efficient legal counsel to the Government of Nova Scotia and its agencies, and to ensure that public affairs are administered in accordance with the law.

In this role, you will provide legal advice and opinions on matters of law and legal policy to senior government officials with respect to commercial transactions. You will conduct research, prepare and review legal documents, and draft and interpret contracts, legislation and regulations.

Primary Accountabilities

• Consult with client 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
• Appear before the Supreme Court, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and Family Court regularly and the Supreme Court of Canada occasionally
• Present information about government and law to the public generally or as part of a consultation process for public policy development
• Serve on interdepartmental committees and project teams with senior and intermediate staff of client departments

Qualifications and Experience

As our successful candidate you will:

• Be a practicing member in good standing of the Nova Scotia Barristers\xe2\x80\x99 Society (or eligible for practicing membership)
• Have a minimum of 5 years of commercial law practice experience

The following items will be considered assets in this role:

• Experience in negotiating major commercial transactions
• Experience advising government departments or agencies

As our successful candidate, you will possess excellent research, analytical and organizational skills. You will communicate effectively and persuasively, orally and in writing, and function with a minimum of supervision in a team environment. You have demonstrated abilities to respond to client needs for quality legal services, to anticipate problems and to work effectively with your clients toward resolutions. You are effective in demanding circumstances, you offer creative and innovative solutions to complex challenges, and adapt and thrive in a continuously changing and demanding environment. You are willing and eager to adapt your client assignment and assist team members, as needed, to meet evolving client priorities.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: oral/written 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.

Additional Information

This is a Permanent, full-time employment opportunity based in Halifax.

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: MCL 20 - MCL 26

Salary Range: $2,895.54 - $5,550.79 Bi-Weekly

*As of June 2023, salary will be $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 \xe2\x80\x98Expression of Interest\xe2\x80\x99 EOI applicants, eligible internal applicants 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