Advocate/Paralegal, Family Law Centres B061-24

LEGAL AID BC
POSTING 

TO:                              LABC STAFF (cc: BCGEU)

FROM:                         HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

POSITION:                   ADVOCATE/PARALEGAL

                                    ONE REGULAR FULL-TIME POSITION – VICTORIA

COMPETITION NO:    B061-24

DATE POSTED:           November 12, 2024

CLOSING DATE:           Open Until Filled

STARTING DATE:         ASAP

SALARY:                      Job Class 16 (Market Adjusted)
                                     ($65,100 - $74,366) *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.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:  

To provide advocacy and support for clients involved in family law and child protection mediation, collaborative processes or court proceedings; to provide support to lawyer(s) in preparation for court proceedings and collaborative processes; to liaise between the clients and external agencies or resources; and to provide legal information and verified legal advice, education and community outreach with the goal of wrap-around client support for issues collateral to the family law/child protection matter.

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:

1.    FAMILY LAW, CHILD PROTECTION, AND CIVIL VERIFIED ADVICE AND ADVOCACY:
a)    Collect and review intake materials for LABC referral application;
b)    Establish and maintain client files under supervision and direction of clinic lawyer(s);
c)    Assess issues/needs/urgency and status of matter(s), including any legal proceedings;
d)    Meet and interview clients with a trauma-informed approach, provide information and verified legal information, consider next steps;
e)    Ensure client has legal representation prior to court appearances, as appropriate;
f)    Conduct any summary research, as directed;
g)    Consult with clinic lawyer and communicate verified legal advice/information;
h)    Assist with basic case preparation, including documents;
i)    Assist with drafting correspondence, as required;
j)    Provide referrals to and liaison with external advocates, private bar/pro bono counsel;
k)    Negotiate settlements with third parties, including the Ministry of Children and Family Development or Delegated Aboriginal Agency;
l)    Provide advocacy at collaborative meetings and support at court; and
m)    Prepare and provide self-help materials, including precedents related to areas of family law and child protection in which services are provided at the clinic.

2.    LIAISE WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND PROVIDE LEGAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION REGARDING FAMILY MATTERS AND CHILD PROTECTION:
a)    Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities, and other cultural and ethnic groups within the region to be served by the clinic;
b)    Build and maintain relationships with client resource groups, including, but not limited to, drug and alcohol, mental health, housing, parenting support and counselling groups and services in the community, which may include developing and conducting workshops for community groups; and
c)    Distribute public legal education and information (PLEI) materials and describe the material from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive and meaningful approach.

3.    PROVIDE CLIENT LIAISON AND SUPPORT ON FAMILY LAW MATTERS, CHILD PROTECTION MATTERS, AND COLLATORAL CIVIL MATTERS:
a)    Assist clients with identification of and access to appropriate LABC services, including legal representation and mediation;
b)    Attend court with client, liaise for client with legal counsel, LABC lawyer, duty counsel, the Ministry of Children and Family Development or Delegated Aboriginal Agency, band members and community resources to foster a comprehensive approach;
c)    Provide orientation for clients on civil and family law justice system process including child protection, mediation, and other options; and
d)    Assist clinic lawyer(s) by working directly with clients explaining process and conducting interviews.

4.    PROVIDE OTHER RELATED DUTIES:
a)    Provide input into the development of PLEI materials that are culturally appropriate as needed;
b)    Collect client documents and information in support of intake applications and provide to Parent Legal Centers (PLC) Administrative Legal Assistant/Intake Legal Assistant or LABC intake for processing and decision making;
c)    Travel may be required throughout BC;
d)    Refer clients to external resources or other services; and
e)    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 family and child protection law, family law mediation, dispute resolution options available to family law clients, legal proceedings, and collaborative processes.
•    Experience screening for family violence, doing risk assessments and safety planning. 
•    Ability to practice cultural sensitivity using extensive knowledge of Truth & Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
•    Ability to practice active listening, non-violent communication, non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to achieve communication and information sharing with clients facing barriers to service through a lens of Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).
•    Knowledge of how to apply trauma informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive approach to engage with clients by obtaining client information to complete client documents.
•    Knowledge of local community’s cultural diversity and resources 
•    An understanding of issues affecting Indigenous communities, knowledge of Indigenous cultures as well as Indigenous community groups and agencies.
•    An awareness of government laws and policies impacting Indigenous peoples and of the structure and history of Indigenous communities within BC.
•    Knowledge of administrative principles, practices, techniques, policies, and legislative development relevant to Indigenous programs, services and activities.
•    Knowledge of collaborative processes including the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Delegated Aboriginal Agency’s collaborative planning and decision-making policies.
•    Knowledge of LABC policies and procedures.
•    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 have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
•    Must be familiar with general software applications (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
•    Must have a strong desire to assist disadvantaged clients, including those experiencing family violence or addition issues, those  with low income, those with mental disabilities, equity seeking groups, or those whose first language is not English.

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 
•    A generous defined benefit pension plan 
•    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 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.legalaid.bc.ca

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