Job Title: Lawyer 1-3 (Solicitor 1-3)

Competition # : 41825

Department: Justice

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGLA

Closing Date: 27-Feb-24 (Applications are accepted until 11 :59 PM Atlantic Time)

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: htt12s://novascotia.ca/just/Legal Services/

About Our Opportunity

 This is an opportunity to join the government’s law firm – the Legal Services Division of the Department of Justice. Legal Services lawyers advise and represent the provincial government on all of the most pressing legal and public policy issues of the day.

We are the legal counsel for the Government of Nova Scotia, Crown corporations, agencies, boards, and commissions, and help ensure that public affairs are administered effectively, efficiently and in accordance with the law.

This opportunity is for a position on our Solicitor Services team, which comprises over 45 lawyers. Specifically, the successful candidate for this position will provide legal advice and prepare commercial transactions for the Nova Scotia Department of Finance and Treasury Board and various provincial Crown corporations.

Primary Accountabilities

• Advising Ministers, Deputy/Associate Deputy Ministers, Executive Directors, and other senior government leaders on matters involving law, negotiation, strategy, and public policy;
• Drafting and interpreting statutes and regulations;
• Drafting and interpreting contracts;
• Assisting with submissions to Cabinet;
• Presenting information about government and law to the public generally or as part of a consultation process for public policy development; and
• Serving on project teams with senior and intermediate staff of client departments.

Qualifications and Experience

As our successful candidate, you will:

• Be a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society (or eligible for practicing membership), in good standing; and
• Have a minimum of 4 years of commercial law practice experience.

The following are assets:

• Experience advising government departments, Crown corporations, agencies, boards, and commissions and other public sector entities.

Our successful candidate will have excellent research, analytical, and organizational skills. You communicate effectively and persuasively, orally and in writing, and have the ability to function with minimal supervision in a team environment. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to offer creative and innovative solutions to complex challenges and have the flexibility to adapt and thrive in a continuously changing and demanding environment.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: 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 here 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

Additional Information

This is a 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
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Mentoring and collaborative team
• Ability to participate in Earned Days Off (1 day off every 3 weeks).
• Flexible working arrangements (up to 2 days of remote work per week).
• Countless career paths in the Legal Services Division and other areas of

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 ‘Expression of Interest’ 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.

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.

Posted: February 16, 2024