Indigenous Community Legal Worker-Advocate/Paralegal, Truth

Indigenous Community Legal Worker-Advocate/Paralegal, Truth & Reconciliation (Duncan/Nanaimo) B003-25

Duncan, BC, Canada

Job Description

LEGAL AID BC

POSTING

TO: LABC STAFF (cc: BCGEU)

FROM: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

POSITION: INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY LEGAL WORKER–ADVOCATE/PARALEGAL

COMPETITION NO: B003-25

DATE POSTED: April 9, 2025

STARTING DATE: ASAP

SALARY: Job Class 16 (Market Adjusted) ($67,053- 76,597) *under review*

HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

This position is not on the modified workweek.

Legal Aid BC is in the early stages of, and committed to a transformative journey to embedding Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all aspects of our work. We seek talent from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis descent, persons with diverse abilities, gender diverse, racialized, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community be a part of this exciting stage of Legal Aid BC’s growth. We care deeply about the culture we are building and are looking for staff members who not only excel in their respective areas but are also passionate about supporting the people we serve and each other. If this resonates with you, we encourage you to apply. All interested and eligible applicants will be considered with due consideration to all protected grounds under the BC Human Rights Code. If we can do anything to make your application experience a positive and equitable one, we want to hear from you on what we can do better.

Pursuant to approval granted under the Special Programs section of the BC Human Rights Code, this position is only open to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry. We encourage applicants to self-identify within their resume and/or cover letter.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

To liaise with Indigenous communities and agencies and provide advocacy and administrative support, legal information and advice, early intervention, education and community outreach, and referrals to address the key civil and poverty law issues that affect Indigenous people.

The following job duties are illustrative examples and shall not be construed as an exhaustive description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

VALUES STATEMENT:

Our commitment to the principles of fundamental justice embedded in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and to Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is ambitious and foundational. It informs everything we do, as we defend liberty, equality, autonomy, and dignity; as we dismantle colonization, racism, sexism, transphobia and homophobia, and all discrimination. These are our values, and they inform our hiring practices too. Our business is aiding people in severe legal distress and necessitates internal and external alignment of practicing these values. Integrating Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion throughout every aspect of Legal Aid BC is critical to building that culture, and we prioritize ongoing resources to achieve that goal.

DUTIES:

- CIVIL/POVERTY LAW ADVICE AND ADVOCACY TO INDIGENOUS CLIENTS:
- Collect and review intake materials for LABC referral application;
- Establish and maintain client files;
- Assess issues/needs/urgency and status of matter(s), including any legal proceedings;
- Meet and interview clients, provide brief legal advice, consider next steps;
- Ensure client has legal representation prior to court appearances as appropriate;
- Conduct any summary research;
- Consult with supervising lawyer and provide summary advice;
- Assist with basic case preparation, including documents;
- Assist with drafting correspondence as required;
- Provide referrals to and liaison with external advocates, private bar/pro bono counsel;
- Negotiate settlements with third parties, including the Ministry of Children and Family Development;
- Provide advocacy at collaborative meetings and support at court; and
- Prepare and provide self-help materials, including precedents related to areas of civil law such as access to benefits, health, Indian residential schools settlement, wills, and estates and on and off reserve housing.
- LIAISE WITH AND PROVIDE LEGAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY:
- Build relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities to network, raise awareness of LABC services, present information and identify community needs, including developing and conducting workshops to train band members, Chief and Council and community members (intermediaries and the public) on a variety of issues related to their needs including child protection, family law, civil law and mediation;
- Build and maintain relationships with services in the community, including but not limited to drug and alcohol, mental health, housing, parenting support and counselling groups and services; and
- Distribute public legal education (PLE) materials and describe the material in a culturally meaningful way.
- PROVIDE CLIENT LIAISON AND SUPPORT ON LEGAL MATTERS:
- Assist Indigenous clients with identification and access of appropriate LABC services including legal representation and mediation;
- Attend court with client, liaise for client with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or Delegated Aboriginal Agency, LABC lawyer, duty counsel, band members to foster a holistic approach;
- Provide orientation for clients on civil and family law justice system process including child protection, mediation and other options; and
- Assist duty counsel at court house by working directly with clients explaining process and conducting interviews.
- PROVIDE OTHER RELATED DUTIES:
- Provide input into the development of PLE materials that are culturally appropriate as needed;
- Collect client documents and information in support of intake applications and provide to LABC intake for processing and decision making;
- Refer clients to other LABC services or external referrals; and
- Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Basic requirements

- grade 12 education supplemented by post-secondary education in Law, Criminology, Library Science, and/or Social Work, or Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate from a recognized educational institute
- minimum 5 years relevant experience in a legal environment and/or as outlined in rated requirements
- ability to communicate effectively in English
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

Rated requirements

- General knowledge of child protection, family, criminal and other civil and administrative legal proceedings that affect low income people
- Knowledge of collaborative processes and the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Collaborative Practice and Decision-Making Policy.
- knowledge of various community resources available
- knowledge of LABC policies and procedures
- excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills in person, by telephone and by email
- ability to analyze/assess legal problems and provide legal information/advice
- ability to conduct legal research, and advocate for clients
- ability to prepare basic legal correspondence and court documents
- ability to recognize and diffuse stressful situations and deal with clients in a sensitive manner
- ability to make and maintain effective contacts with agencies, organizations, and other community groups
- ability to be discreet and manage confidential information
- ability to work well with others in a team setting
- must be familiar with general software applications (MS Word, Outlook, Excel)
- must have a strong desire to assist disadvantaged clients, including those experiencing family violence or addiction issues, those with low income, those with mental disabilities, or those whose first language is not English
- demonstrated awareness of the community's cultural diversity, particularly Indigenous cultures.
- knowledge of local community resources and familiar with the structure and history of Indigenous communities within BC.

This position requires some travel:

- A valid BC driver’s license is required
- Must be willing and able to travel throughout BC

This competition may require skills testing based on the qualifications for this position:

- Microsoft 365 (Office Suite) – Word, Excel, Outlook

Employment is conditional upon completing and obtaining clearance from the following:

- Criminal Record Check (CRC) in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act
- Security clearance check by BC Corrections including a Canadian Police Information Computer (CPIC) system check

We offer (based on your employment status and affiliation):

- Four weeks paid vacation to start that grows the longer you are with LABC
- An excellent employee benefits package, where premiums are 100% paid by LABC
- Support for training and development
- An Employee and Family Assistance program
- The opportunity to participate in various Employee programs (Employee Wellness, etc.)
- Support for a healthy work/life balance
- Generous leave provisions (sick time, special leaves)
- 13 paid statutory holidays
- An opportunity for a flexible hybrid work arrangement for some positions (LABC reserves the right to change this policy at any time)
- Transit friendly employer for eligible staff to have their commute subsidized
- Dog-friendly offices
- Dedicated Cultural Leave provisions for Indigenous employees
- An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council, and Indigenous employees Council and Accessibility Committee of employees from equity-seeking groups that advises on ongoing improvements and investments in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at our workplace

We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted.

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