Location: Port Coquitlam and Abbotsford, BC
Status: Full-time Permanent
Affiliation: British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU)
Salary range: Job Class 10 ($55,189 - $62,968)
Competition #: B050-24
Application Deadline: August 13, 2024
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.
We are seeking Administrative Legal Assistants / Intake Legal Assistants to join our team.
The Opportunity
As Administrative Legal Assistant / Intake Legal Assistant, your primary function is provide administrative and legal administrative support for the Department, Managing Lawyer, Lead Lawyer, Staff Lawyer, roster lawyers lead and/or Paralegal/Advocate. Provide front line services to the public for in-person, online and telephone legal aid programs including intake services. Provide legal information and assess eligibility and suitability for services.
Key accountabilities include, but aren't limited to:
- Coordination of the day to day running of the program operations;
- Assist with the implementation and delivery of the program;
- Provide input to and maintain program processes, policies and procedures, create and maintain manuals, and records management;
- Process and maintain program data, databases, data input and reporting; and
- Maintain quality control of operating policies established by the lead lawyer and program team.
- Draft, produce routine correspondence and legal documents, answer telephone inquiries, provide information on services offered or direct to other community resources;
- Provide administrative support to the Department, Lead Lawyer, Managing Lawyer, Staff Lawyer, roster lawyers and/or paralegal/advocate(s) including ensuring time keeping is entered into systems;
- Order pamphlets and office supplies, call for equipment repairs, and maintain library material;
- Develop and maintain filing system, including storage and destruction;
- Develop and maintain client file lists, and client records in the database and other LABC systems;
- Open, process, maintain and close case files;
- Contact lawyers to arrange services, make referrals and issue contracts to private bar lawyers, or other agencies;
- Provide an empathetic, non-judgemental, open-minded and person-centered approach aimed at building trust with clients in order to identify legal issues and urgency, meeting them where they are at;
- Practice active listening, non-violent communication, non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques in order to achieve communication and information sharing with clients facing barriers to service through a lens of Truth & Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion;
- Use trauma informed approach to complete client intake by obtaining client information to complete legal aid application;
- Interview clients in person and by phone to answer enquiries, analyse and clearly identify client’s legal issue(s), urgency of issue and provide legal information / verified legal advice;
- Identify client’s needs and circumstances and decide on course of action, including completion of intake application, provide legal information, redirect to other LABC or community resources;
- Determine coverage and assess eligibility for legal aid based on legal aid coverage policies and guidelines;
- Explain LABC coverage and financial eligibility criteria;
- Perform other related duties as required.
Who We Are
Legal Aid BC (LABC) is a non-profit organization established by the Legal Services Society Act in 1979. Our mission is to provide legal information, advice, and representation services to BC's most vulnerable and marginalized citizens who lack the necessary resources to effectively access the justice system when their families, freedom, or safety are at risk. Our vision is to see BC’s legal system transformed, by the way LABC represents our clients, into one more equitable and inclusive with a mission to strengthen client-centred legal help for British Columbians experiencing barriers accessing the legal system.
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 client focus, advancing Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and change through leadership.
Legal Aid BC is in the early stages of, and committed to a transformative journey of 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.
To understand why legal aid matters, and our commitments to Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, please explore our website, planning and guiding documents at https://legalaid.bc.ca/.
The Ideal Candidate
You have Grade 12 education supplemented by completed Legal Administration courses or program. Completed courses in Law, Sociology or related disciplines. Minimum of 5 years of Administration experience in a law environment. Minimum of 1 year of Intake experience. An equivalent combination of training, education and experience may be considered. You strive to exceed expectations and are a team player.
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 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
For additional information regarding our extensive benefits package, please explore our careers page at: https://legalaid.bc.ca/about/careers/why-work-here.
If you are interested in joining us – visit our careers page for the full job posting at https://legalaid.bc.ca/careers and apply now!
We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $55,189.00-$62,968.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Wellness program
Experience:
- Administration: 5 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
