CROWN COUNSEL

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ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS COMPETITION IS RESTRICTED TO STEP 1 CANDIDATES INCLUDING OPS ALOC AND OCAA LAWYERS living or working within 125 km of this location. Note: Eligible lawyers from outside the Area of Search may apply but will not be entitled to relocation or travel expenses for the transfer as set out below.

Step 1: All regular/fixed-term OCAA and ALOC lawyers on staff, current Redeployment List Members and current Articling Student Hireback Pool Members.
Step 2: In the absence of qualified applicants at Step 1 the competition may be reposted so that external applicants or non-members of the above-mentioned groups would then be eligible to apply.

The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is an arms-length agency of the Ministry of the Attorney General. It receives, manages and investigates complaints made by members of the public about police officers, police services and police policies in Ontario. The OIPRD ensures that public complaints against police are dealt with fairly, efficiently and effectively.

The OIPRD is seeking a lawyer to provide legal advice, appear as counsel on behalf of the agency before the Courts, and act as a liaison with external stakeholders, such as police services.

Each application must be sent individually. Collective applications will not be accepted.

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How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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About the job

Duties will include:

• Providing legal advice to OIPRD senior management in support of strategic decision-making.
• Providing advice to the agency's various units, including corporate services, case management and investigation units.
• Drafting decisions for the Director in his reviews of investigations conducted by police services.
• Appearing as counsel on behalf of the Director across the province on applications for judicial review, appeals before the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, applications before the Human Rights Tribunal, third party records applications and other litigation or tribunal matters.
• Providing advice on all agency matters, including upcoming transition to new legislation; liaising with the Ministry and external stakeholders as required to ensure successful transition
• Acting as a liaison with stakeholders (e.g., police services) to identify and resolve issues.

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• Membership in good standing as a lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario

Knowledge and Skills

• Thorough understanding of the justice system and structure within the province.
• Demonstrated knowledge of administrative and criminal law.
• Knowledge of the Police Services Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Statutory Powers and Procedures Act, Judicial Review and Procedures Act, Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Knowledge of the Community Safety and Policing Act to assist the agency in its successful transition to the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency.
• A proven success rate in establishing strong working relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking legal research and analysis, policy development work and the interpretation of statutes.
• Working project management experience.
• Demonstrated analytical, judgment, investigative and consultation skills.
• Knowledge of Word processing and software presentation packages.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills.
• Previous litigation experience is an asset.

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Additional information:

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• For issues with submitting applications, or questions, please contact CSMD.HR.LegalCompeti@ontario.ca

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Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.