Legal Advocate

**Employment Opportunity**

Job Title**:Legal Advocate**

The Chippewas of Rama First Nation supports the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Specifically, Rama supports the training, education and employment of Indigenous People.

Employment Classification: Full-time with Benefits & Pension

Availability & Term: Approx. Start Date: May 2023

Remuneration: $41.99, move to $44.38 after 3 months.

**JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY**

Advocating in the best interests of Rama First Nation, this position will provide legal consultation and direction to the Health & Social Services Division on various community health services and child well-being matters including child protection court support, policy and program review & development and training.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**Education**:

- University Degree; Law degree from an accredited Law School; Licence to practice law in Ontario.

**Skills and Abilities**:

- Called to the Bar in the Province of Ontario.
- Excellent oral, written, file maintenance, and computer skills.
- Understanding of the colonial history of Indigenous people.
- Understanding of Intergenerational trauma and trauma informed approaches to health and social services programs and policies.
- Ability to review and write policies and guidelines.
- Understanding of the Ontario Child Youth and Family Services Act.
- Ability to provide consultation and guidance on complex situations.
- Valid Class G driver's licence.

**Experience**:

- Minimum 3-5 years practicing family law.
- Experience or understanding of related health laws preferred.
- Experience working in a First Nation community preferred.

**JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY**

Advocating in the best interests of Rama First Nation, this position will provide legal consultation and direction to the Health & Social Services Division on various community health services and child well-being matters including child protection court support, policy and program review & development and training.

**KEY JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES**

**LEGAL ADVOCACY - CHILD WELL-BEING**
- Provides legal advice on Child Well-Being protection matters.
- Consults with management and Child Well-Being team on protection files and facilitate legal conferences prior to next court appearances.
- Reviews, prepares, edits, formats and processes all Child Well-Being documents such as Customary Care Declarations and Agreements, Voluntary Service Agreements, Plans of Care and any other court related documentation.
- Obtains transcripts from court as required.
- Commission documents as required.
- Provide written responses for court documents as required.
- Attend Child Well-Being court matters with Band Representative on behalf of Rama First Nation.

**LEGAL ADVOCACY - COURT REPRESENTATION**
- Set up a file management system for court related files.
- Prepare files for court appearances, including opening files, organizing all material in the appropriate format within the file, and ensuring that file information is current.
- Prepare, coordinate and distribute various documents and forms including but not limited to:

- Serve and file documentation.
- Processing of legal documents as required.
- Serving Court Orders on those entitled under the Rules to receive them.
- Ensuring delivery of all required documents as per First Nation protocols.
- Subsequent to a court appearance, ensuring that copies of all necessary endorsements are obtained, filing any necessary outstanding material, and obtaining photocopies of filed original consents, as required.
- Obtaining certified copies of final orders.

**LEGAL ADVOCACY - LAW & POLICY**
- Ensure adjournment dates are diarized and court appearance reports are provided to the appropriate staff and securely filed.
- Redact case files to produce non-identifying file disclosures according to policies and procedures.
- Develop an understanding of other related community agencies and their mandates related to the work of Child and Family Services.
- Identify any gaps in policies and processes and develop solution focused recommendations for discussion with the management team.
- Draft new policies, best practices, guidelines as required.
- Assist with the development of Health & Social Services operations manual.
- Annually provide in-service training for staff on policies, operations manual, ethics, case noting, etc.
- Assist with on-boarding training for new staff.
- Audit of client files and case note documentation.
- Review of funding proposals, reports, and agreements as required.
- Consulting with health management regarding patient care issues and review health related matters.
- Consult and provide updates to General Counsel's office as required.

**Salary**: $41.99-$44.38 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Rama, ON L3V 6H6: reliably commute or