CR CNSL 2/3 - Crown Counsel

Government of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 168,000 - 258,000; Full time

Job summary

A provincial government office in Vancouver is hiring Crown Counsel to manage and conduct criminal appeals. Candidates should have significant criminal law experience and bar membership. The role offers competitive compensation, professional development, and vacation benefits along with the requirement for travel for operational duties.

Benefits

20 days of annual vacation, increasing to 35 days

Public service pension and benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of recent criminal law experience as a practicing lawyer in Canada.
• Crown Counsel Level 2: Counsel in their 6th to 11th year of call.
• Crown Counsel Level 3: Counsel in their 12th year of call or greater.

Responsibilities

• Conduct of all indictable appeals in the BC Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada.
• Timely advice to trial Crown counsel on difficult issues of law and procedure.
• Involvement in the BCPS Post-Conviction Review Committee.

Skills

Criminal law experience

Appellate litigation experience

Legal writing skills

French language proficiency

Education

Membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia

Job description

The Team

Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions (CASP) is responsible for the following areas of practice:

1. All indictable criminal appeals undertaken to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada (Criminal Appeals Section).
2. Prosecutions involving commercial crime, allegations against police and regulatory offences including environmental and workplace injury and fatality related prosecutions (Commercial, Police, & Regulatory Prosecution Section).
3. Organized and crime prosecutions.
4. Providing prosecutorial litigation support to other prosecution offices within the BCPS in respect of constitutional challenges that arise in the trial courts (Prosecution Support Unit).
5. The delivery of legal resources and learning and development opportunities for the BCPS.
6. CASP is also responsible for coordinating French and bilingual prosecutions.

CASP’s management recognizes its responsibility to offer diversity in practice and is committed to facilitating the achievement of an enriched working environment. Upon their request and at the discretion of CASP management, the successful candidates may be given opportunities to conduct cases, either as counsel or co-counsel, in all sections of the office, when the operational requirements of CASP allow for it. Efforts will be made by the management group to facilitate access by all counsel to the full range of work available the office. Assignment to individual cases is dependent on counsel’s level of skill and experience.

From time to time, the successful candidates will also, at the discretion of CASP management be required to conduct cases or provide litigation support with respect to matters falling outside of their assigned section but within the global mandate of the office. Assignments outside the successful candidate’s principal area of responsibility will be made in consultation with the candidate.

CASP is a division of the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS). The BCPS helps protect society by independently, effectively, and fairly conducting prosecutions and appeals at all levels of court. With approximately 550 Crown Counsel throughout British Columbia, the BCPS is divided into CASP, Headquarters, and five regions – North, Interior, Fraser, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island-Powell River.

BCPS Crown Counsel pre-approve charges and prosecute offences under the Criminal Code, provincial statutes and regulations, and federal statutes, in accordance with BCPS policies and the Crown Counsel Act. Our Crown Counsel litigate some of the most interesting, challenging, and important cases in BC.

For more information about the BC Prosecution Service, please visit our website.

The Role

• Conduct of all indictable appeals in the BC Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada, and applications for leave to appeal from summary conviction appeals.
• Resolution of requests for Crown appeals from acquittal and sentence in indictable matters.
• Primary involvement on the BCPS Post-Conviction Review Committee.
• Timely advice, assistance and guidance to trial Crown counsel on difficult issues of law and procedure.

Compensation

• Crown Counsel 2 - $168,056.05 - $217,946.36 annually
• Crown Counsel 3 - $224,425.64 - $257,718.98 annually
• 20 days of annual vacation to start, increasing over time to 35 days, plus 8 additional earned days off and 2 supplemental leave days
• An annual conference and a full spectrum of professional development and learning opportunities
• An attractive public service pension and benefits package

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia, or immediate eligibility for call to the British Columbia Bar.
• Crown Counsel Level 2: Counsel in their 6th to 11th year of call, with a minimum of 3 years of recent criminal law (trial or appellate) experience as a called and practicing lawyer in Canada.
• Crown Counsel Level 3: Counsel in their 12th year of call or greater, with a minimum of 3 years of recent criminal law (trial or appellate) experience as a called and practicing lawyer in Canada.
• Appellate experience.

Preference May Be Given To Lawyers With

• Eight or more years of recent criminal law experience as a called and practicing lawyer in Canada
• Significant and/or recent appellate litigation experience
• Recent experience in conducting indictable criminal trials
• Experience appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada
• Criminal prosecution experience, particularly in major cases
• Significant experience in legal writing, including factum writing
• French language proficiency (oral and written) at a legal professional working level

Proviso

• Travel is a requirement. Transportation arrangements must meet operational requirements of the ministry.

IMPORTANT: Where there is a difference between the qualifications reflected in the posting and the Job Profile, those stated on the job posting will be used for screening purposes.

For questions regarding this position, please contact [e-mail].

About this Position

Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions has two permanent Crown Counsel Level 2/3 position available in the Criminal Appeals section.

An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.

Flexible work options are available; this position may be able to work up to three (3) days at home per week as per the Telework Agreement.

This position is included in the Crown Counsel Association. Under the Public Service Labour Relations Act, this position is excluded from union membership. The terms and conditions of employment for union excluded positions are outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Excluded Employees available through the following website.

A Criminal Record Review Act Check (CRRA) and Enhanced Security Screening will be required.

Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

Working for the BC Public Service

The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service

Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Inuit or Métis applicants originating from the land now known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

How to Apply

Your resume must clearly show that you meet the education and experience requirements. Highlight the required qualifications and support them with specific examples, such as your responsibilities, projects you've worked on, or accomplishments. Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation.

Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying. Please indicate the place and year you were called to the Bar, including how you meet the minimum and preferred job requirements.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.

Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit Technical Assistance page of MyHR.