CROWN COUNSEL

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.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

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.

What can I expect to do in this role?

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.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• 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.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, December 2, 2022 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.