Counsel (Bilingual)

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.

Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) - formerly known as the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) - is responsible for receiving, managing and overseeing public complaints about misconduct of police officers. LECA accepts complaints about the conduct of the following:

• All municipal, regional, and provincial (OPP) police officers.
• Special Constables employed by the Niagara Parks Commission.
• Peace Officers in the Legislative Protective Service; and
• First Nations police officers if the police service opts into the CSPA.

As a civilian arm's-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, our decisions are independent from the Ontario government, the police, and the community.

LECA no longer has jurisdiction over policing policy, service and complaints regarding members of police service boards. The Inspectorate of Policing will review matters involving the adequacy and effectiveness of police services.

In addition, LECA has the authority to initiate an investigation in the absence of a public complaint if it is in the public interest to do so. We can also retain the ability to conduct systemic reviews of matters that are related to police misconduct.

LECA is also no longer responsible for posting disciplinary hearing decisions on its website. This responsibility now lies with the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission. Lastly, LECA cannot conduct a criminal investigation, direct or lay criminal charges.

We are committed to ensuring that complaints about misconduct of police officers are dealt with in a manner that is transparent, effective, and fair to both the public and the police. Our goal is to provide a fair, independent, transparent and accessible and effective oversight system that will foster confidence and trust in the public complaints process and, in turn, policing.

LECA is committed to providing services to the public in French in accordance with the French Languages Services Act. The successful candidate for this position must be capable of providing the full range of services in French and English. Candidates will be assessed for proficiency in French (Employment Policy, 8.32).

Please indicate your level of French language proficiency in your application.

As part of this recruitment process, interviews will be conducted virtually via MS Teams. Shortlisted candidates will be notified of interview dates accordingly.

Why Join Us:

•Impactful Work: You'll oversee investigations that enhance accountability and transparency in policing, contributing to public trust.
•Leadership Opportunities: The role offers a chance to lead and mentor a team, driving continuous improvement and excellence.
•Diversity and Inclusion: LECA is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, reflecting the communities it serves.
•Professional Growth: You'll have opportunities for continuous learning, engaging in strategic initiatives, and developing expertise in contemporary investigation and oversight techniques.

The successful candidate will be reporting directly toCarla Goncalves, Deputy Director, Law Enforcement Complaints Agency who is described as a values-based, results-driven, people leader. She is passionate about building relationships and creating a mentoring environment among counsel. She is particularly passionate about advancing diversity and equity in the OPS. (Priorities include service excellence, innovation, continuous improvement, and a culture where everyone's contribution is valued.

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 LECA 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
• Fluency in oral and written French at the superior level

Knowledge and Skills• Thorough understanding of the justice system and structure within the province.
• Demonstrated knowledge of administrative and criminal law.
• Knowledge of thePolice Services Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Statutory Powers and Procedures Act, Judicial Review Procedures Act, French Language Services Act, Ombudsman Act andProcedures 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.
• Relevant litigation experience.

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.

How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

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 6, 2024 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.

All Ontario Public Service external job advertisements are posted in English and French. To confirm the language requirements of a job, check the "language of position" information at the top of each job ad. For all positions, candidates will be assessed in English, the business language of the Ontario Public Service. For English/French designated bilingual positions, candidates will also be assessed through French-language proficiency testing.

Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario sont affichées en anglais et en français. Pour connaître les exigences linguistiques, vérifiez les renseignements sur la « langue du poste » figurant dans le haut de chaque offre d'emploi. Pour tous les postes, l'évaluation des candidates et candidats se fera en anglais, la langue usuelle de la fonction publique de l'Ontario. En ce qui concerne les postes désignés bilingues, la maîtrise du français des candidates et candidats sera également évaluée.

Note: The only website where you can apply on-line for positions with the Ontario Public Service is http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca

Apply Online