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 Legal Services Branch for the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services seeks experienced legal counsel to support various program areas in this large and busy ministry. Practice areas include social assistance, child welfare and protection, community services for adults, youth justice, and/or work relating to privacy, funding, agreements and procurement. All areas may involve providing legal support and Aboriginal law advice with respect to services for, or agreements involving, First Nation, Inuit or Métis peoples.

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?

Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, you will provide strategic and risk-based legal advice and services, including:

•Providing program advice and advising on operational/delivery issues
•Supporting client policy development and providing drafting support on legislative and regulatory projects
•Advising on funding issues and corporate/commercial matters, including transfer payment agreements and procurement
•Drafting, reviewing and negotiating various legal documents, including agreements, memoranda of understanding, orders in council
•Drafting briefing materials and briefing at all levels of MCCSS/MAG/government as required
•Working collaboratively with clients and with branch and MAG colleagues on cross-ministry issues
•Contributing to an inclusive, respectful and supportive workplace

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• Membership in good standing as a lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario

Knowledge and Skills

•Demonstrated experience providing risk-based, strategic and solution-focused legal advice and services
•Demonstrated experience advising on the development of policy, legislation, and regulations
•Demonstrated experience advising on, negotiating and drafting agreements
•Familiarity with MCCSS legislation and programs and with legislation of general application such as the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Financial Administration Act
•Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment with competing demands and changing priorities
•Excellent judgement, organization, analytical, and oral and written communication skills
•Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues
•Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion