Government of Nova Scotia

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) offers a unique and meaningful opportunity to contribute to justice and public safety. Established in 1990 as the first statutorily based independent prosecution service in Canada, the mandate of the PPS is rooted in its commitment to ensuring fair and equal treatment in the prosecution of criminal and provincial offences. We are looking for the brightest legal minds, who also reflect the rich diversity of our province! We don’t just accept difference – we celebrate a supportive culture of diversity and belonging. We strive to create an environment where different perspectives and experiences are welcomed and valued. We encourage applications from those that equally value and champion equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). Why Choose Us? A career with the Public Prosecution Service in Nova Scotia provides a unique opportunity to contribute to justice, public safety, and the overall well-being of the community while working in a professional, inclusive, and ethical environment. We are a dedicated and passionate team with a determination to make a difference in the society we serve, utilizing our expertise and recognizing and applying an equity and inclusion lens to our work, in our training and development, workplace culture, communications, partnering and engagement to ensure we protect and reflect the communities we live in and serve. What We Offer 1. Commitment to Justice and Public Interest: This is achieved by performing prosecution duties with fairness, professionalism, and integrity. Employees actively contribute to upholding the principles of justice in Nova Scotia. 2. Mission and Goals: Aligning with the Government of Nova Scotia's priority of fulfilling social responsibility for public safety, the PPS' mission and goals include providing excellence in public service, identifying, and managing resources effectively, applying best business practices, and fostering an environment for independent prosecutorial discretion that recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in ensuring representation reflective of the community. 3. Core Business Functions: Employees at the PPS engage in core business functions that play a crucial role in the legal landscape of Nova Scotia. These functions include representing the Crown in criminal and quasi-criminal matters at all levels of court, handling appeals, providing legal advice and assistance to law enforcement, and actively participating in the development of criminal law and prosecutions policy. 4. Professional Development and High Ethical Standards: The PPS is committed to maintaining a diverse team that reflects excellence, dedication to public service, and high ethical standards. Employees have the opportunity for professional development in a welcoming environment that values continuous improvement and recognizes diversity and inclusion contributes to a healthy and thriving workplace culture that allows team members to be their full selves at work, while upholding the highest ethical principles. 5. Community Engagement: The PPS is focused on providing a service that is reflective of the community it serves. By fostering diversity and inclusivity, employees contribute to building a legal system that understands and respects the needs and perspectives of the broader community. 6. Impactful Contribution to Society: Working for the PPS allows individuals to make a direct and meaningful impact on society by upholding the rule of law, protecting the safety and well-being of the community, and ensuring the fair treatment of those accused of prohibited conduct. For more information on the Public Prosecution Service please visit the following link: https://novascotia.ca/pps/ About Our Opportunity These positions are based in Western Region will report to the Chief Crown Attorney, Western Region, to whom the incumbent is accountable for the provision of competent prosecution services. The Crown Attorney will advise law enforcement agencies when requested. Other key responsibilities include conducting the prosecution of charges resulting from matters within the Public Prosecution Service mandate that result from law enforcement agency investigations and other prosecutions and duties as directed by the Chief Crown Attorney, Western Region. Qualifications and Experience You are a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society (or eligible to become so) and have a thorough understanding of the prosecution process, and competence in the areas of criminal procedures, evidence, and substantive criminal law. You must have at least one (1) year of significant criminal litigation experience. You may be required to travel throughout the province to prosecute cases and may be required to do so for extended periods of time. Successful applicants may be required to provide a current Certificate of Standing from their law society, including all jurisdictions of which they are members, whether non-practicing or practicing. The above qualifications will be assessed using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks. Benefits Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees. Additional Information This is a term employment opportunity, located in Kentville, with anticipated end date of March 3, 2026. Must have access to reliable transportation as travel throughout the region and across the province is required.

Department: Justice Location: TRURO Type of Employment: Term Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG Closing Date: 31-Mar-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time) About Us The Legal Services Division is the government's law firm, providing a full range of legal advice and services to support government operations and help government achieve its corporate priorities. With a staff of more than 160 lawyers, paralegals, researchers and administrative professionals, the Division is one of the largest law offices in the Province. For more information on the Department of Justice Legal Services please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/Legal_Services/ About Our Opportunity Under general supervision from the Legal Services Supervisor, as the Legal Assistant you will provide high quality, specialized legal administrative assistance, and file management support under the direction of two or more lawyers. You will utilize strong secretarial/administrative skills, knowledge of legal terminology and specialized procedures pertaining to certain areas of law. You will perform effectively under the pressures and strain of inflexible deadlines in a highly confidential office setting under minimal supervision. You will be responsible for creating, tracking, and managing litigation files. The opportunity requires you to be able to adapt to shifting priorities, balance your efforts between providing legal assistance and administrative support, respond in a timely and appropriate manner to inquiries and to be organized in your day to day file management. Primary Accountabilities Legal Assistance / Support to Lawyers Provide specialized legal assistance for lawyers who provide legal advice/litigation services to government departments and various agencies, boards, and commissions Ensure documents assigned by a lawyer are prepared, filed, and/or served within prescribed or assigned deadlines Query and retrieve legal case law, precedent materials/documents, or other relevant information as identified by a lawyer Secretarial / Administrative Support Prepare correspondence, presentations, and documents of a legal and non-legal matter Respond to inquiries from internal and external clients and the public Schedule appointments and maintains lawyers’ calendar and schedule and book rooms, court reporters, travel, discoveries, witnesses, interpreters, case conferences Books travel and related accommodations when necessary Works in a team environment, providing coverage to assistants on their team and other teams as assigned by the Legal Services Supervisor Responding to Inquiries and File Management Acts as a point of contact to ensure clients have the appropriate information including file updates, process or procedural changes, Division updates and other general matters Manages files in the Central Registry filing system, electronic shared directory and in the file/document management databases Organize all hard copy and electronic files including filing of documents, data entry and the use of the STAR/STOR classification system Ensures that files/filing is up to date and brought forward for review by lawyers as required Qualifications and Experience As our successful candidate, you will possess a certificate/diploma from a Legal Assistant or Paralegal program and 3 years of experience in a legal practice or an acceptable combination of education/training and experience. You have experience and competency in an automated environment, with proficient and accurate typing, dicta typing, MS Word, and data entry skills. You have knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and documentation, as well as excellent research, analytical and organizational skills. Your excellent communication skills, both written and oral, give you the ability to deal with clients, lawyers and co-workers in a fair, caring, and impartial manner communicating in a clear and concise manner while maintaining confidentiality and impartiality. Assets include: Knowledge of the various levels of Court Knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules Knowledge of provincial government departments and agencies Experience utilizing STAR/STOR record classification system, or other file management systems We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks. Equivalency Include, but not limited to: - at least 5 years of legal support experience. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application. Benefits Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria. Working Conditions   May be required to work overtime on occasion Typically located in comfortable office environment Considerable periods of time sitting at desk interspersed with movement to and from printers, file storage areas or to deposit/retrieve mail At times required to bend and lift file boxes from storage shelving and transport to review area. Regular need to read and analyze information and significant time focusing on a computer monitor Must balance multiple priorities and the demand for accuracy and attention to detail in the preparation of legal documents requires acute concentration and may increase physical and mental stress The nature of the work environment may bring staff into contact with individuals who are verbally abusive and physically threatening, exposure to disturbing images or content in some files may occur Additional Information This competition is to fill two (2) Term positions in the Truro Office

The Legal Services Division is the government's law firm, providing a full range of legal advice and services to support government operations and help government achieve its corporate priorities. With a staff of more than 160 lawyers, paralegals, researchers and administrative professionals, the Division is one of the largest law offices in the Province. For more information on the Department of Justice Legal Services please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/Legal_Services/   About Our Opportunity   Under general supervision from the Legal Services Supervisor, as the Legal Assistant you will provide high quality, specialized legal administrative assistance, and file management support under the direction of two or more lawyers. You will utilize strong secretarial/administrative skills, knowledge of legal terminology and specialized procedures pertaining to certain areas of law. You will perform effectively under the pressures and strain of inflexible deadlines in a highly confidential office setting under minimal supervision. You will be responsible for creating, tracking, and managing litigation files. The opportunity requires you to be able to adapt to shifting priorities, balance your efforts between providing legal assistance and administrative support, respond in a timely and appropriate manner to inquiries and to be organized in your day to day file management.   Primary Accountabilities   Legal Assistance / Support to Lawyers Provide specialized legal assistance for lawyers who provide legal advice/litigation services to government departments and various agencies, boards, and commissions Ensure documents assigned by a lawyer are prepared, filed, and/or served within prescribed or assigned deadlines Query and retrieve legal case law, precedent materials/documents, or other relevant information as identified by a lawyer Secretarial / Administrative Support Prepare correspondence, presentations, and documents of a legal and non-legal matter Respond to inquiries from internal and external clients and the public Schedule appointments and maintains lawyers’ calendar and schedule and book rooms, court reporters, travel, discoveries, witnesses, interpreters, case conferences Books travel and related accommodations when necessary Works in a team environment, providing coverage to assistants on their team and other teams as assigned by the Legal Services Supervisor Responding to Inquiries and File Management Acts as a point of contact to ensure clients have the appropriate information including file updates, process or procedural changes, Division updates and other general matters Manages files in the Central Registry filing system, electronic shared directory and in the file/document management databases Organize all hard copy and electronic files including filing of documents, data entry and the use of the STAR/STOR classification system Ensures that files/filing is up to date and brought forward for review by lawyers as required   Qualifications and Experience   As our successful candidate, you will possess a certificate/diploma from a Legal Assistant or Paralegal program and 3 years of experience in a legal practice or an acceptable combination of education/training and experience.   You have experience and competency in an automated environment, with proficient and accurate typing, dicta typing, MS Word, and data entry skills. You have knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and documentation, as well as excellent research, analytical and organizational skills. Your excellent communication skills, both written and oral, give you the ability to deal with clients, lawyers and co-workers in a fair, caring, and impartial manner communicating in a clear and concise manner while maintaining confidentiality and impartiality.   Assets include:   Knowledge of the various levels of Court Knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules Knowledge of provincial government departments and agencies Experience utilizing STAR/STOR record classification system, or other file management systems   We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.   Equivalency   Include, but not limited to-   at least 5 years of legal support experience.   Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.   Benefits   Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.   Working Conditions   May be required to work overtime on occasion Typically located in comfortable office environment Considerable periods of time sitting at desk interspersed with movement to and from printers, file storage areas or to deposit/retrieve mail At times required to bend and lift file boxes from storage shelving and transport to review area. Regular need to read and analyze information and significant time focusing on a computer monitor Must balance multiple priorities and the demand for accuracy and attention to detail in the preparation of legal documents requires acute concentration and may increase physical and mental stress The nature of the work environment may bring staff into contact with individuals who are verbally abusive and physically threatening, exposure to disturbing images or content in some files may occur   What We Offer   Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career. Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies. countless career paths. Department Specific Flexible working schedules.