Description
The Ministry of the Attorney General, Civil Law Division, Environment, Conservation and Parks Branch, has an immediate opening for a Deputy Legal Director to work as part of the management team to oversee the prosecutions, hearings, civil litigation and operational advisory work of the Branch for a period of 18 months with the possibility of an extension.
About the job
The Deputy Director will:
- Work as a key member of the management team to manage the overall operation of the Branch, including administrative, human resources, budget and financial matters.
- Oversee and support the delivery of high-quality legal services to the client Ministry in the area of prosecutions, hearings, civil litigation and operational advisory work.
- Supervise and mentor counsel including responsibility for talent management and other human resources matters
- Ensure timely and accurate identification and management of critical issues and communications
- Assist with the strategic planning of the Branch including transformative change initiatives aimed at improving workplace culture and operational efficiencies in the Branch and within the Civil Law Division.
- Facilitate formal and informal communication and linkages with clients at all levels and Ministry of the Attorney General colleagues
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
Membership in good standing as a lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario
Knowledge and Skills
- Experience in providing written and verbal legal advice often on an urgent basis to senior and other government officials
- Knowledge of the mandate, strategic direction, and business and policy initiatives of the client Ministry, the Ministry of the Attorney General and the government as a whole
- Board based knowledge of public law with a strong focus on environmental, aboriginal, regulatory and administrative law
- Knowledge of and experience in the statutes administered by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, especially those under which hearings or prosecutions occur, compliance actions are undertaken or permits or approvals are issued.
- Analytical, collaborative, negotiation, presentation and communications skills that lead to creative and collaborative solutions to complex problems
- Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and solve complex problems in high-profile, politically sensitive environments, including experience managing contentious and legally intricate issues
- An inclusive leadership style that promotes a commitment to diversity, inclusion and accessibility
- A collegial and collaborative approach that values people and their contributions
- Experience in organizational development, talent management, succession planning, and change leadership.
- Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strategic partnerships across CVLD, other ministries and stakeholder in general.
- A high level of political acuity, integrity, and professional judgment skills
- Success in creating a strong workplace culture
- Great interpersonal, communication and motivational skills
- Demonstrated client service skills
- Proven ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines with changing and competing demands
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:
Additional information
Address:
- 1 English Temporary, duration up to 18 months, 135 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record Check
Compensation Group: Management Compensation Plan
Category: Legal Services
Posted on: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Note:
- About security checks:
A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
How to apply:
- You must apply online by visiting our webiste. You must enter the job id number in the Job ID search field to locate the job ad.
- Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
- Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
- Read the job deion to make sure you understand this job.
- OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
- If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.
All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.
Remember:
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 25, 2026 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.
The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code .
Pre Screening Questions
Are you a member in good standing as a lawyer of the Law Society of Ontario?
