Legal Assistant

Do you take pride in helping others and providing excellent client service? Keep reading to find out how this role may be a great fit for you

The BC Family Maintenance Agency (BCFMA) is responsible for the client-centric administration of child and spousal maintenance services for British Columbians, offering supports that strengthen families, so that they may achieve their full potential and secure the best possible future for their children. We are committed to promoting equity, anti-racism and multi-culturalism, addressing social and health issues such as mental health and poverty, and providing services that make communities safer. We strive for lasting and meaningful reconciliation through Indigenous-specific community recognition, outreach, and relationship building efforts.

BCFMA is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, honouring the Provincial commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action. Through fostering respectful and collaborative relationships with Indigenous partners and stakeholders, BCFMA delivers on government's priorities.

We are thrilled you have decided to explore a career with the BC Family Maintenance Agency (BCFMA). The BCFMA is responsible for supporting BC families by providing a free service to track and collect child and spousal support. We are passionate about what we do and the clients we serve and are proud of delivering exceptional service in a client-focused way.

It's an exciting time to join the BCFMA and we're looking for creative and passionate people to join our team. Not only would you be joining an engaged organization but you'd also get to enjoy flexible work arrangements, extended benefits and let's not forget our awesome pension plan as just a few of the benefits BCFMA employees are eligible for. Most importantly, you would be making a difference in the lives of families in BC

The BCFMA is currently looking for a permanent, full-time Legal Assistant to join our team in our Kamloops office.

Our Legal Assistants are a team of professionals who provide legal administrative aid to our in-house Legal Counsel and other Agency staff. This position collaborates with other staff in a manner which increases the efficiency of the roles they support, enhances internal and external communications and maximizes client service.

As the successful candidate, you will be a part of a diverse and inclusive team with opportunities for personal and professional growth. We also provide comprehensive training in a positive learning environment.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Prepares the legal case file and supporting documentation
• Prepares and compiles precedents, correspondence, court, land and other registry documents and ensures all are available to legal counsel, staff, clients and other parties as required.
• Maintains a BF system to ensure timely follow up and compliance with deadlines and limitation periods.
• Arranges for timely delivery and service of Court and other documents to court registries and other parties as required.
• Conducts and obtains search results through BC Online and Court Services Online databases.
• Follows up on files involving court action including arranging for legal counsel to attend where needed, updating database records and sending out reporting letters to clients and other parties.
• Prepares weekly court list and month end statistics.
• Communicates effectively with clients, external counsel, court staff, reciprocating jurisdictions and other community agencies to enhance and expedite client satisfaction and BCFMA's legal services.
• Acts as a Commissioner of Oaths for swearing of staff affidavits.
• Proactively provides solutions to improve workflow and client services for both lawyers and legal assistants.
• Works constructively with the legal counsel team and co-workers to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the team and keeps supervisor informed of problems and suggestions as they arise.
• Participates in meetings, in-house training and committees.
• Maintains knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, procedures, community resources and computer systems to successfully perform responsibilities.
• Provides training to recently hired legal assistants and lawyers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• High School Diploma
• Direct training and certification (Legal Administrative Assistant) preferred.

Experience

• Direct training and certification as a legal assistant or legal secretary, or experience as a titled legal assistant or legal secretary with a law firm for at least two years.
• Experience working with Land Title and Survey Authority database, Court Services Online, BC Online, precedents, lawyer's instruction and dictation preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Solid computer skills including use of email, internet and databases.
• Keyboarding skills of 65 wpm minimum.
• Solid word processing skills, preferably MS Word and Adobe

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• A Criminal Record Check is required.

Why work at BCFMA:

• An opportunity to be part of an inclusive and diverse culture where you can make a difference and team members are appreciated and valued.
• Work-life balance with a Monday to Friday work week.
• Participation in a Defined Benefit Public Service Pension Plan
• Competitive benefits package including extended health, dental, above standard vacation entitlement, company paid sick time and flex days.
• On-the-job training with opportunities for ongoing learning and development.

You say you want a job where you can make a difference - don't delay and apply today At the BCFMA we invest in on-the-job training and provide opportunities for ongoing learning and development. We offer comprehensive employee benefits including extended heath, dental, BC MSP, disability insurance, company paid sick time, flex days and a generous vacation policy. Come join the BCFMA team and work with people who are dedicated to helping and making a difference in the lives of BC families.

To apply for this position directly on the BCFMA careers page please visit

The annual salary for this position ranges from $45,851 to $59,519 depending on experience. Candidates must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to apply for this full-time opportunity. This is a unionized position covered by the BCGEU / BCFMA collective agreement.

We would like to thank all candidates for their interest, however only those being considered for this role will be contacted.\