Regional Assistant Crown Attorney - Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Initiative in Newmarket

Regional Assistant Crown Attorney - Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Initiative

1 Temporary (up to12 months secondment/contract with possibility of extension)

OCAA - Crown Counsel

Salary commensurate with legal experience

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.

Ensure public safety, through the effective and efficient prosecution of crime.

Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) is a transformative investigative technique that combines DNA analysis and genealogy research to help solve serious violent crimes, identify human remains, and advance investigations that may have remained unresolved for years.

The Criminal Law Division is establishing a dedicated Investigative Genetic Genealogy Prosecutions Unit to provide specialized leadership, support frontline Crown counsel, and strengthen the province's capacity to respond to emerging investigative and evidentiary challenges. The Unit will also promote training, knowledge sharing, and the development of best practices across Ontario.

About the job

These roles will provide specialized legal, advisory, and prosecutorial support for investigations utilizing Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). They will manage complex prosecutions, provide pre-charge advice, and ensure the effective and Charter-compliant use of IGG evidence in Ontario courts.

Duties will include:

• Providing expert consultation and advice to trial Crowns on IGG related evidence




• Supporting early and consistent decision-making regarding IGG related evidence




• Assuming carriage of selected IGG matters




• Developing and share best practices, legal resources, and precedents for IGG related prosecutions




• Coordinating and developing policy and strategic initiatives, education and training




• Providing specialist support for cases involving IGG

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

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

Legal Experience

• Excellent working knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and case law




• Demonstrated understanding, awareness, and litigation experience with IGG cases




• Experience working on major/lengthy cases involving forensic/scientific evidence, voluminous amounts of disclosure, and complex legal and factual issues




• Experience providing legal advice and training on legal issues to the police and Crowns




• Knowledge and understanding of the role and function of a prosecutor in the criminal justice system in Ontario

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Proven interpersonal, presentation and communications skills




• Excellent writing skills




• Proven judgment and analytical ability to determine appropriate key issues and set priorities accordingly




• Proven ability to research, analyze and organize a principled approach to cases and issues




• Ability to work as part of a team within the criminal justice system and with community stakeholders

Essential Abilities and Skills

• Travel to other court locations to support the prosecution team across the Region




• Work effectively with technology including the presentation of evidence in a courtroom setting

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives




• accessibility




• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

Who we are

The Ministry of the Attorney General is committed to a responsive, innovative justice system that upholds the Rule of Law. The Criminal Law Division, with approximately 2,200 staff (1,400 legal and 800 business professionals):

• Prosecutes offences under the Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act, and Provincial Offences Act.




• Conducts criminal appeals at all court levels.




• Provides specialized services (e.g., wiretaps, extraditions, search warrants).




• Advices police and government officials on criminal law.




• Sets prosecution policy across Ontario.




• Develops justice system efficiencies with stakeholders.




• Offers world-class education for prosecutors.

Additional information can be found here.

This role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)




• group health, dental, life and disability benefits




• a range of vacation and leave options




• an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services

Additional information:

1 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 1091 Gorham St, Newmarket, Central Region, Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, Intelligence, Local Police Databases Search, PIP/NICHE/RMS

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