Intake Legal Assistant

**Who We Are**

Legal Aid BC (LABC) is a non-profit organization, created by the Legal Services Society Act in 1979, to provide legal information, advice, and representation services to some of BC’s most vulnerable and marginalized citizens; those who do not have the financial, educational, social or health resources to effectively access the justice system when their families, freedom, or safety are at risk. Our vision is client-focused legal aid that ensures access to justice for all, with a mission to provide legal aid services that people need, and to promote better access to justice.

At LABC, we know that our continued ability to help the people who need us is due to the hardworking individuals who make up our team, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people in need. We foster a positive culture of open communication for our team to thrive within, underpinned by our values of service, diversity, integrity, accountability, and leadership.
- Legal Aid BC is committed to making equity, diversity, and inclusion part of everything we do. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences to help build the future of legal aid. We care deeply about the culture we are creating and are seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting the people we serve and each other. If this sounds like you, please apply_

**The Opportunity**

As **Intake Legal Assistant, **your primary function is to provide front-line contact and intake services to the public, provide legal information, verified legal advice, assess eligibility for legal aid and may provide legal secretarial and administrative support to staff lawyer(s) and paralegal(s). This will include performing intake services in person and remotely.

**Key accountabilities include, but aren't limited to**:

- Answer visitor and telephone enquiries; provide information on services offered or direct to other community resources;
- Identify legal problem/urgency: give legal information/verified legal advice; check conflicts; make appointments;
- Interview applicants for legal aid; assess client information; determine needs/urgency; determine coverage and eligibility for legal aid, based on law, policies, and guidelines.
- Appoint duty counsel in local courts, prepare roster;
- Contact lawyers to arrange representation for clients; issue contracts to private bar lawyers, staff lawyer(s)/paralegal(s), or other agencies;
- Enter data into client management system; process files; and
- Respond to follow up requests/problems regarding duty counsel and contracts.
- Provide legal secretarial support to staff lawyer(s) and paralegal(s);
- Use word processor to produce correspondence, legal documents;
- Open/maintain/close case files; maintain filing system; storage and destruction;
- Draft routine correspondence and legal documents; obtain crown particulars etc;
- Maintain bring forward system and limitation diary; and
- Ensure back-up of computer files.
- Order pamphlets/office supplies;
- Ensure office equipment is operational;
- Orient casual and new staff; and
- Ensure office is secured daily.
- Perform other related duties, as required.

**More About You**

You have Grade 12 education supplemented by courses in Law, Criminology, Sociology, or related discipline. Minimum 2 years relevant experience as outlined in rated requirements or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- All LABC employees are required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of hire and ongoing employment._

**We Offer**

A competitive annual salary, as well as a comprehensive benefits package (based on your employment status and affiliation) including:

- 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
- A generous pension plan
- Support for training and development
- An Employee and Family Assistance program
- The opportunity to participate in various Employee programs (Employee Wellness, etc.)
- 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)
- We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted._

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Work Location: One location