Career opportunities in Alberta Justice include, but are not limited to:

• Collection Officer
• Crown Prosecutor
• Judicial Clerk
• Legal Assistant
• Litigator
• Paralegal
• Solicitor
• Trust Officer

Collection Officer

"The most rewarding part of my role is knowing that I may have made a small but important difference in supporting a child’s life”

The Alberta Justice Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) ensures that individuals meet their obligations to pay spousal and child support under the terms of their court orders and certain agreements. Collection officers play an essential role in providing this service. These positions involve processing debtor and creditor information, reviewing court orders, conducting child status investigations, and negotiating payment arrangements. When payment is not made voluntarily, a collection officer uses a variety of enforcement tools to collect these support payments. These rewarding roles are challenging and rely on diplomacy and tact. Collection officers are part of an innovative team that annually collects millions of dollars in support of tens of thousands of Alberta children.

Collection officers are team players who use their excellent communication and negotiation skills to assist program clients in understanding and meeting their obligations.

• A collection officer must exercise judgment and fairness in applying enforcement actions in accordance with program policy.
  
• A collection officer works in a fast-paced, high-volume team environment dealing with individuals caught in difficult and often emotionally charged situations.

For more information on duties, working conditions and educational requirements, read the Alberta Occupational Profile of Collection Agents published by Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS).

Crown Prosecutor

"To me personally, it is the excitement, diversity and challenge associated with this role that led me to choose a career as a prosecutor over a career in private practice."

Between the office and courtroom appearances, Crown prosecutors find their diverse and exciting career facilitates the administration of justice and provides an honourable and privileged service to the province of Alberta. Working under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the provincial statutes, Crown prosecutors represent Alberta Justice in the prosecution of offences, including homicide, assault, impaired driving, break and enter, theft, fraud, speeding and other driving offences. In addition to prosecutions, Crown prosecutors are involved in the argument of appeals to the Court of Queen’s Bench, appearances on routine docket matters, legal research and opinions, and promotion of safe communities through liaisons with justice system stakeholders, policing agencies, support groups, and community justice groups.

• A Crown prosecutor is not concerned with victory – only with justice.
  
• They enjoy an accomplished career with a true sense of responsibility, a genuine sense of pride, and the feeling that they are a part of very special team.
• The diversity of the job means no two days are the same.
• As one of our prosecutors stated, “representing Alberta Justice as a Crown Prosecutor is one of the most rewarding roles that you can play in the community.”

For more information on duties, working conditions and educational requirements, read the Alberta Occupational Profile of Lawyers published by Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS).

Judicial Clerk

"Being a Judicial Clerk for Alberta Justice Court Services has provided me with a challenging diverse career which keeps my interest due to the variety."

Judicial Clerks are the frontline representatives for Alberta Justice, Court Services Division. Judicial Clerks provide essential paralegal support to the judiciary, lawyers, and the general public before, during and after court proceedings. Shifting priorities between the courtroom and assisting the public and lawyers at the counter provides diversity in the type of work performed. Judicial Clerks must always represent the administration of the courts in a responsible and professional manner reflecting the fair and equitable delivery of justice in Alberta.

• Courtroom management is interesting and diverse. The Judicial Clerk is an active participant by calling court to order, affirming witnesses, maintaining the order and dignity of the courtroom, cataloguing and securing court exhibits and creating an accurate record of court proceedings.
• It is a unique and challenging work environment – the courtroom requires quickly assessing and resolving issues as they arise.
• Deadlines and priorities change at a moment’s notice, which makes every day interesting.
• A strong client focus is required in order to explain legal information and procedures to the public who may find the process complex and daunting.

For more information on duties, working conditions and educational requirements, read the Alberta Occupational Profile of Judicial Clerks published by Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS).

Legal Assistant

"For me, it’s knowing that what I am doing is assisting with work that can impact the lives of my fellow Albertans."

Legal assistants play an integral support role within various legal teams found in Alberta Justice. Their skill in effectively managing and organizing legal files and documents, and their knowledge of specific court processes and procedures are essential in assisting Crown prosecutors and lawyers.

Working with Criminal Justice, legal assistants support prosecutors both in and out of the courtroom. They interact with a variety of stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies,witnesses, and victims. Legal assistants with Legal Services support a team of lawyers working in a variety of legal areas including human rights, health, environment, education, public works, and alternative dispute resolution.

Legal assistants with Alberta Justice make a meaningful contribution to all cases.

• A team-based approach allows legal assistants to demonstrate their abilities to manage competing priorities and deadlines while experiencing pride in a job well done.
• Legal assistants provide important support to interesting and significant, sometimes even precedent-setting, criminal and civil cases.

For more information on duties, working conditions and educational requirements, read the Alberta Occupational Profile of Legal Secretaries published by Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS)

Litigator

"Members of the Litigation Group enjoy a highly stimulating and rewarding practice of law"

Members of the Alberta Justice Litigation Group represent the Alberta government before all courts and tribunals in the province. They are involved in a wide range of activities that include preventative law, management of complex litigation and related strategic advice. Many issues involve collaboration with other departments or other groups within Justice.

This is a challenging time to be involved in public sector litigation. They are currently addressing the first class action law suits in the province and are increasingly being drawn into complex cases that involve major government programs or initiatives. Many of their cases will proceed to the Alberta Court of Appeal and some will go to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Litigation Group with Alberta Justice plays an essential role in representing the Alberta government.

• The range of work is extremely broad and can include almost any aspect of provincial life – human rights, health, environment, education, public works, alternative dispute resolution, to name a few.
• Members of the Litigation Group enjoy an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to interesting and important cases, in an atmosphere supported by experienced and diverse senior counsel.

For more information on duties, working conditions and educational requirements, read the Alberta Occupational Profile of Lawyers published by Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS)

Paralegal

"By showing initiative, professionalism, and commitment to my work, at the end of the day I feel a strong sense of personal accomplishment and pride. "

When paralegals match their talents with the law environment found at the department of Alberta Justice, interesting and rewarding work is guaranteed. Alberta Justice paralegals work in one of two areas: Criminal Justice or Civil Law. With Criminal Justice, they support our Crown prosecutors by doing much of the work behind the scenes. Beyond the important extensive legal research they perform, they are involved with witness management and work with victims and various other stakeholders. In Civil Law, paralegals work with lawyers in diverse areas of law, including Aboriginal, constitutional, family and legislative reform to name a few. They work independently and with their legal team to ensure lawyers are able to effectively manage large, complex litigation and class action files.

For more information on duties, working conditions and educational requirements, read the Alberta Occupational Profile of Paralegals published by Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS)

Solicitor

"No employer offers a greater variety of interesting and influential legal work."

Solicitors with Alberta Justice are involved in wide range of legal and policy activities. They provide legal advice to the many government departments from the earliest stages of policy formulation to the final stage of legislative drafting. They assist the departments in performing their varied functions by providing advice. This advice ensures that departments establish policies and make decisions in accordance with the principles and procedures set out in the applicable legislation or the principles of natural justice. Solicitors also draft the contracts and agreements that govern the client’s relationship with others.

The Litigation Group with Alberta Justice plays an essential role in representing the Alberta government.

• As part of our Legal Services Division, solicitors play an important role in providing essential legal services to the Government of Alberta.
• As the role of government in society becomes ever more complex, solicitors play an increasingly vital role in implementing government programs and initiatives.
• From Aboriginal to environmental law, from family law to wills and estates matters, and every conceivable area of law in between, a government solicitor has a unique opportunity to play a major role in not only interpreting the law, but in formulating it.

For more information on duties, working conditions and educational requirements, read the Alberta Occupational Profile of Lawyers published by Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS)

Trust Officer

"I have direct contact with our clients, and take great pride in using my legal training to provide solutions and assistance to persons who may not be able to act on their own behalf."

The role of the Public Trustee is to protect and administer the property of dependent adults, minor children and deceased persons, where there is no one else able to act.

A Trust Officer’s work is diverse, interesting and provides challenges that would satisfy those from a variety of educational backgrounds including law, business, social work and many others. The work has elements that touch on estate law, financial administration, general business knowledge as well as the
requirements of other government programs. There is significant interaction with dependent adults, guardians, beneficiaries, bankers, lawyers and other professionals. Trust Officers work independently but are part of a supportive team and the expertise of each team member contributes to our overall success.

Trust Officers provide a valuable public service to Albertans.

• The role would appeal to someone who wants to apply expert knowledge to help protect the financial interests of those who cannot act for themselves.
• Although the work is challengine and demanding, a Trust Officer experiences great satisfaction in applying knowledge and skill in a helping capacity.

View current career opportunities.