Senior Judicial Executive Assistant

gov; Yellowknife; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Justice in Yellowknife seeks an executive assistant to support the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges. The role involves confidentially assisting five resident judges and coordinating with visiting judges and senior officials.

Required is extensive knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures, with experience in executive support in a legal environment and strong professional communication skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of judicial independence and executive/judiciary roles.
• Advanced knowledge of legal terminology, court formats and procedures.
• Ability to work with senior officials with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive assistant and administrative support to Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges.
• Liaise with judges, court staff and government officials while maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist with word processing, research, and preparing correspondence and reports.

Skills

Legal terminology

Education

Post-secondary paralegal training or equivalent

Executive assistant/paralegal college courses

Job description

The mandate of the Department of Justice is to administer justice, including policing, community justice, victims services and corrections in the Northwest Territories. This mandate will be carried out in a manner which respects community and indigenous values and encourages communities to assume increasing responsibilities.

Job Information

This position is located in a secured area in the Supreme Court Judges' Chambers at the Courthouse Building in Yellowknife, the judicial centre of the N.W.T. The incumbent, together with one other (subordinate) judges' executive assistant, provides executive assistant and administrative support services to the judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal - primarily to the five resident judges but also to visiting, non-resident deputy judges (approximately 50) and the Chief Justice and other judges of the Court of Appeal (approximately 20).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• The responsibilities of the position require a thorough understanding of the respective roles of the executive branch of the government and the judiciary, i.e., the principle of judicial
  independence. This is essential, as the incumbent must be capable of balancing, in a delicate and professional manner, the fact of employment by the executive branch of the G.N.W.T. while working in a highly confidential position for the senior level of the judicial branch in the N.W.T;
• Advanced knowledge of legal terminology, practices and procedures and formats for Court judgments and other Court documents and correspondence;
• The position requires an incumbent who has developed an ability to work with senior level officials in utmost confidence on important matters, some of which are highly sensitive. The individual occupying the position must display maturity, good independent judgment, have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively and tactfully with members of the legal profession, Court staff, senior government officials and the general public on behalf of the Supreme Court judiciary. As front-line representative of the judiciary, must display highest standards of probity and professionalism.

Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by:

• This level of knowledge can be attained by post-secondary paralegal training or equivalent, and several years of experience in a legal environment, or as an executive assistant to a Minister, Deputy Minister, Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent level.
• An in-depth understanding of the respective roles of the executive and judicial branches of government;
• Comprehensive knowledge of court structures and processes;
• 10 years experience in executive/legal environment (or formal paralegal training plus eight years experience) combined with several years of experience in word processing, research, preparing correspondence/reports, etc.;
• Executive assistant/paralegal courses at college level.

GNWT Inquiries

Inquiries Only:

Department of Finance Government of the Northwest Territories YELLOWKNIFE CENTRE 5TH FLOOR BOX 1320 YELLOWKNIFE NT X1A 2L9 Tel [phone] Extension 14106 Fax [phone] [e-mail]

Note: If you do not receive electronic notification confirming receipt of your application, please follow up via telephone.