Legal Counsel/Director of Representation Services

LEGAL COUNSEL/DIRECTOR OF REPRESENTATION SERVICES

The AJC is currently seeking a Legal Counsel/Director of Representation Services who is interested in working in a dynamic, small team setting that promotes the value and worth of federal public service lawyers and seeks to improve their working conditions.

ABOUT THE AJC

The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC) is the bargaining agent for over 3,500 lawyers who work for the Government of Canada, including counsel with the Department of Justice, Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and numerous federal agencies. For more information about the AJC, please visit our website at www.ajc-ajj.ca.

Our people form the foundation of the services we provide to our members. If you are interested in working with a dynamic, innovative small-team that seeks to improve the working conditions of our members, with the objective of focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), this may be the opportunity for you.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Legal Counsel/Director of Representation Services leads a team of Labour Relations dedicated to supporting the maintenance, interpretation, and enforcement of the collective agreement for the AJC membership.

The AJC is committed to building an inclusive and representative workplace where equity and diversity is recognized and valued. All qualified candidates will be considered, however in support of achieving our equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) goals, we encourage candidates to self-identify, and will prioritize Indigenous peoples (Inuit, First Nations, Métis) and Black or racialized persons, to apply for this opportunity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leads and manages the AJC’s representation portfolio, including policy grievances and complex labour relations matters. In this capacity, the incumbent works as lead, in consultation with the Representation and Exclusions Committees, the President, the Vice-President Labour Relations, the General Counsel/Corporate Secretary, and/or the Executive Director, as appropriate in the circumstances.
2. Represents the AJC both informally and in formal procedures before employer officials, major stakeholders and before the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB)
3. Collaborates with the General Counsel/Corporate Secretary with law reform work
4. Provides summary reports on the labour relations portfolio, including the status of representation files to the Governing Council, the Executive Committee, including the President, the Vice-President Labour Relations, General Counsel/Corporate Secretary and Executive Director, as appropriate in the circumstances.
5. Oversees and contributes to legal research, drafts notices, and pleadings, delivers oral and/or written submissions. Maintains quality control and on-time delivery of all assigned projects and commitments
6. Develops and implements departmental priorities and budget
7. Coordinates and reports on representation work carried out by external agents and/or counsel as the need arise
8. Represents the AJC at certain labour-management meetings such as public service wide labour management committees, national working groups and other national committees and, participates in such other activities that tie into AJC’s representation services generally, including reporting activities.
9. Provides mentoring, training, guidance, and coaching to staff under their direction. Participate in staffing and ensure orientation of new Labour Relation Officers. Implement disciplinary and/or corrective measures for all staff under their direction in accordance with the collective agreement
10. Establishes and maintains healthy labour relations practices and supporting relations with the AJC staff union
11. Manages and participates in coaching, and development of Governing Council representatives, such as union stewards, and staff under their direction.
12. Provides back up support to the General Counsel/Corporate Secretary for legal matters when required
13. Provides advice to the organization and develops positions on AJC issues relating to representation and exclusions, in consultation with the Representation and Exclusions Committees.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Membership in good standing of the Bar of Ontario or of another Canadian province or territory and extensive experience in federal labour law, human rights and labour relations.
2. Proven experience in leading and managing staff in a unionized environment
3. Thorough knowledge of the structure of the federal public service
4. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with elected officials, members, staff, internal and external clients
5. Demonstrated understanding of the union legal framework and commitment to union principles.
6. Knowledge of legislation and case authorities governing labour relations in the federal public service including
7. Treasury Board and other government policies, directives and processes.
8. Knowledge and demonstrated expertise in implementing EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility), Anti-Oppression, and Anti-Racism principles, practices, programs and policies, including knowledge of those of the Employer and federal public service.
9. Proven experience with dispute
10. Strong advocacy and relationship building skills.
11. Demonstrated self-directed approach with an ability to organize, plan, prioritize, and execute at high-level.
12. Ability to plan, lead and facilitate meetings with the use technology such as MS teams and/or Zoom is essential.
13. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in both official languages.

DECISION MAKING (COMPLEXITY)

1. Decision-making forms a very large part of the performance of tasks and impacts on processes applying to a single key function of the organization.
2. Procedures and precedents are not well established, and the employee is expected to be able to show original and independent thinking in developing simple methods and procedures to apply to a single key function of the organization.
3. Considerable judgement is required, and complex interpretation is needed in the context of legal representation files.

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides direct supervision to unionized labour relations including:
   1. Senior Labour Relations Officer(s)
   2. Labour Relations Officers
2. May be involved in the recruitment and performance management of staff in accordance with the collective agreement.
3. Provides advice and counsel on matters relating to the representation services provided to union members.

INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION

1. Works independently under general supervision and is guided by broad policies and general objectives.
2. Receives guidance through consultation with the President and Governing Council.

CONTACTS

Requires the ability to build and maintain productive relationships and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders.

Internal:

1. Internal contacts include the President, Executive Director, General Counsel/Corporate Secretary and members of the Representations Committee, Exclusions Committee, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and staff at the AJC for the purpose of exchanging information, preparing recommendations, coordinating responses, influencing others, etc.
2. Contacts include senior levels of management and may include dealing with controversial / sensitive interpersonal skills.

External:

External contacts may include representatives for the Governing Council, AJC Members, Treasury Board, Deputy Head, employer contacts, union contacts, National Joint Council, etc.

Working Environment:

The Legal Counsel/Director of Representation Services works in a standard office environment; is required to attend internal and external meetings and to travel to the regions.

The AJC is an employer with flexible work arrangements for its staff.

Physical / Sensory Effort:

1. Work is fast-paced, timelines are tight, and tasks are performed under pressure.
2. Sustained concentration is required.

COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

1. COMPETITIVE SALARY COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE: $150,200 to $163,391 (under review)
2. GROUP BENEFITS: Health, Dental, Life, Disability
3. PENSION PLAN: CAAT
4. VACATION: 4 weeks/year to start in addition to December holiday season and other paid leave
5. JOB TERM: Indeterminate Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
6. OPPORTUNITY TO TELEWORK SUBJECT TO OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

START DATE: As soon as possible.

Submission deadline: March 31, 2025

APPLICATIONS

Please submit your resume with a cover letter to:

Association of Justice Counsel
Attn: Diana Rodrigues, Director of Corporate Services
drodrigues@ajc-ajj.ca

The AJC embraces diversity and inclusion and encourages members from all equity-seeking groups to apply. Upon request, we will accommodate applicants with disabilities who require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.