Important

Do not discuss your application with others (including on social media) besides your partner, or close family members - who should also be reminded about the need to be discreet.

Closing Date

2026-04-26

Reference Number

26-968-06-017

Job Category

Experienced

Who Can Apply

Canadian Citizens

Location

Ottawa, Ontario

Salary Range

$77,427 - $94,177

Status

Indeterminate
(permanent)

Language Requirement

Various

Job Summary

The Legal Assistant provides legal and administrative assistance to counsel and participates in the delivery of a full range of legal and administrative support services.

• Identify and analyze legal and administrative information on various issues.
• Organize, prepare and process documents for filing in legal proceedings before the Federal Court and other courts or tribunals.
• Prepare, proofread and/or edit correspondence and reports etc. for counsel according to rules of procedures, legal correspondence standards, Department of Justice, CSIS and Unit policies and procedures.
• Monitor, review and sort, both electronic and paper correspondence to determine nature of the issues, prioritize and action as required.
• Correspond and liaise with the court/tribunal, Department of Justice, CSIS and other government officials, etc. regarding a variety of issues (either legal or administrative in nature).
• Coordinate meetings and presentations for counsel and manage their agendas, which can include taking minutes of meetings, retrieving and analysing relevant information for counsel, developing agendas, and providing appropriate follow-up services.
• Perform basic legal research, locate and retrieve case law and legislation, by using a variety of databases.
• Maintain legal files by monitoring developments (including use of bring forward BF system), organizing, reviewing, maintaining general knowledge of issues in accordance with legal practice standards and Department of Justice procedures.
• Participate in the delivery of support services as part of the legal and administrative support team.

Education

• Community College Certificate or Diploma in Law, Law Clerk, Paralegal, Legal Assistant and/or Office Administration and two (2) years of related experience*.

The educational program must be from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada. If you completed a program outside of Canada, you will be required to obtain proof of a Canadian equivalency at your expense through a recognized credential assessment service.

Any higher level of education (i.e.: Undergraduate, Masters, Doctorate) in Law could be recognized as experience.

Experience

Recent ** and Significant *** experience as a Legal Assistant or Paralegal in a legal firm/office/department and/or experience working as an Administrative Assistant where the provision of legal support services constituted a substantial part of the day-to-day work.

Candidates must also possess:

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including extensive experience with Word
• Experience having searched and retrieved information from CanLII, Quicklaw or Westlaw
• Two (2) years of recent** and significant*** experience in legal support services.

**Recent is defined as experience acquired within the last five (5) years.

***Significant is defined as the depth and breadth of experience that would normally be acquired by a person in a position where the performance of these duties constitutes their main functions over that period.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Federal Court Rules
• Knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure
• Knowledge of Citation Standards (McGill Guide, Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation)

Competencies

• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Judgement
• Organizational Skills/Multitasking
• Reliability
• Rigour
• Communication

Assets

An asset qualification is a qualification which can enhance the ability to perform the work based on current and future business requirements, but which is not strictly required. Positions will be staffed based on the selection decision principle and operational priorities:

• Experience in providing services related to litigation matters or in providing legal research services used by counsel in developing and providing legal advice.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Official Language (OL) Proficiency

This career opportunity intends to staff vacant and anticipated positions with various linguistic profiles.

• Bilingual (BBB/BBB)
• English Essential (EE)

This selection process may be used to staff other similar positions with various language requirements. Therefore, we encourage all interested candidates to apply. Second language evaluations will be offered to candidates. For more information on language requirements: (external link www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/language-requirements-candidates

Notes

• We are working to be proactive about meeting the objectives of the Policy on People Management, the Directive on the Duty to Accommodate and the Accessible Canada Act, its regulations, and the CSIS Accessibility Plan. Therefore, please advise us if you require accommodation related to accessibility measure during the selection process. Information relating to accommodation measure will be address and handled confidentially.
• Employment Equity gaps have been identified among Person with Disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and Racialized Groups for this position. You are invited to voluntary self-declare if you belong to any of these groups in your cover letter, as this information may be considered in the selection process.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime on short notice to support operational requirements.

Security Requirements

Candidates must be eligible to receive an Enhanced Top Secret security clearance. The process involves a security interview, a polygraph, and a background investigation that includes credit and financial verifications. The use of illegal drugs is a criminal offense. Drug use is an important factor considered in your reliability and suitability assessment during the selection process. Therefore it is important not to use any illegal drugs from the time you submit your application.

Others

Important

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet each Education and Experience criteria. Failure to do so will result in the applicant being screened out of the career opportunity.

CSIS is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). CSIS has its own classification, compensation system, and a different staffing regime. As such, we use a different staffing process and terminology.

CSIS is committed to building a workforce that is truly representative of the Canadians it serves by cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. This will be achieved by increasing employment equity group representation (including persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and women) at all levels within the organization through hiring and talent management practices. Gaps have been identified among Indigenous peoples and visible minorities for this position. We will also ensure that appropriate accommodations are made (e.g., specialized equipment, changes to physical workspace) to provide employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. In support of achieving a greater, diverse and skilled workforce, we strongly encourage those individuals who belong to one or more of the employment equity groups to self-identify when applying.

Should you require accommodation in relation to a disability, please tell us at the beginning of the selection process. This information will be kept confidential.

CSIS Offices in Canada are located on various ancestral and traditional lands. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge all Indigenous People across Canada and their connection to these lands.

The personal information provided in your application is protected under the Privacy Actand will be held in Personal Information Bank SIS/P-PU-025.

We thank all applicants for their interest in CSIS. However, only those who are selected for further consideration will be contacted.