Court Support Navigator

**Court Support Services Coordinator**

$26 / hour; 35 hours per week;
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario provides direct support, advocacy and programming to women and gender-diverse people involved in the criminal justice system or those at risk of criminalization.

The Court Support Services Coordinator will deliver criminal court support services and will report to the Director of Operations and Systemic Advocate. The program will incorporate virtual and digital court processes that have been introduced by the Ministry of the Attorney General in Ontario as well as in
- person proceedings. The program will offer a range of court navigation services, pre-court, in-court and post-court, including accessing legal aid, collaborating with lawyers on bail plans and release plans, identifying housing options and programming options, facilitating transportation and making referrals to mental health and addictions services. The Court support will hold community consultations to identify the gaps and challenges that women and gender diverse people currently experience in fully participating in their court proceedings.

**Key Responsibilities**:
1. Provide information and assistance to clients charged with criminal offenses to facilitate their participation in the criminal justice system and make appropriate referrals;
2. Be familiar with the criminal justice system and the role of legal aid, duty counsel, criminal defense lawyer, crown attorney, judge, justice of the peace, and other court parties.

3. Support clients through court processes, accessing legal representation, bail procedures, trials and sentencing hearings and make referrals to social services and mental health agencies that may be of assistance;
4. Instruct clients charged with criminal offences on new court procedures and processes involving digital access and virtual hearings and on use of computer tablets and phones to allow them to participate in hearings and phone meetings;
5. Coordinate and facilitate focus group meetings to gather information and recommendations from stakeholders regarding access to legal representation, participating in the court process and getting optimal results at court;
6. Assist to develop court support operational policies, incorporating recommendations from the focus groups;
8. Implement the program and start offering the service to clients;
9. Inform clients about Elizabeth Fry’s court support program using social media, conventional media and by notifying our networks;
10. Attend court, as needed, and support clients throughout court process;
11. Maintain accurate confidential records, files, statistics and reports.

**Qualifications**:

- Organized and energetic professional with demonstrated experience in program development and coordination
- Degree/diploma in criminology, social work, women’s studies or related /equivalent education or skills;
- Understanding of and commitment to a feminist, intersectional, gender-based analysis of GBV/woman abuse and anti-oppression values;
- Knowledge of criminal law process and issues faced by woman within the criminal justice system;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Group facilitation skills;
- Exceptional interpersonal skills;
- Superior time management and organizational skills to implement multiple project work plans;
- Professional experience in project coordination;
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team;
- Computer skills (word, excel, power point);
**To Apply**:
**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Paid time off

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-10-15
Expected start date: 2024-11-01