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 Ministry of the Attorney General seeks a counsel to provide strategic legal advice to the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) in support of their policy, legislative, and operational objectives.

This is an opportunity to provide advice on a wide range of areas of law including agriculture, administrative, Aboriginal, civil, corporate/commercial, real estate, privacy and environmental law, in an office that is collegial and collaborative.

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 services to support the programs, operations and activities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs and its agencies
• Drafting and providing advice on legal instruments, such as transfer payment agreements, Memorandums of Understanding and Orders in Council
• Drafting legislation and regulations and providing legal support in the interpretation of Ministry legislation and regulations
• Conducting legal research and providing legal opinions
• Providing advice on a wide range of areas of law including agriculture, administrative, Aboriginal, civil, corporate/commercial, real estate, privacy and environmental law
• Providing governance, policy and operational advice to the Ministry and its agencies (adjudicative, regulatory and operational)
• Providing litigation support and liaison for litigation matters involving the Ministry including prosecutions

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

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

Knowledge and Skills

• You have knowledge, experience and interest in agricultural, administrative, civil, corporate/commercial, real estate, privacy, Aboriginal, and environmental law
• You have knowledge of the legislation of the client Ministry and its agencies
• You have demonstrated ability and experience in drafting various legal instruments including legislation and regulations, contracts, Orders in Council, and transfer payment agreements
• You have demonstrated ability with interpreting legislation and regulations
• You have demonstrated ability to recognize and assess legal implications in policy issues
• You have demonstrated experience supporting litigation matters
• You have knowledge of relevant government legislation, policies, procedures, guidelines, and directives including the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006, the Transfer Payment Accountability Directive, Ontario Public Service Procurement Directive, and the Agencies and Appointments Directive
• You have demonstrated ability to work to strict deadlines and advise on urgent matters with short turnaround times
• You have demonstrated ability to research and analyze complex issues of law
• You have demonstrated judgement and analytical skills
• You have demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
• You have experience working independently and constructively on teams of diverse members and demonstrated interest in OPS priorities relating to diversity