Location: Surrey, BC
Status: Full-time Permanent
Affiliation: British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU)
Salary range: Job Class 16 (Market Adjusted)
($65,100 - $74,366) *under review*
Competition #: B060-24
Application Deadline: September 12, 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 five Advocate/Paralegals to join our team.
The Opportunity
The Family Law Clinic (FLC) provides both in-person and virtual services to clients who have experienced or are experiencing family violence. The FLC operates as a multidisciplinary clinic, offering legal services through a team that includes a managing lawyer, staff lawyers, paralegals, advocates, and administrative/intake legal assistants. Together, this team works to assist and advocate for clients facing multiple barriers to accessing legal aid services. Our approach is trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive, catering to those who have experienced family violence, those living in poverty or with low incomes, individuals from equity-seeking groups, and those whose first language is not English. We strongly encourage applicants who self-identify as belonging to an equity-seeking group or who have lived experience of systemic oppression to apply.
Asan Advocate/Paralegal, your primary function is 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.
Key accountabilities include, but aren't limited to:
- Collect and review intake materials for LABC referral application;
- Establish and maintain client files under supervision and direction of clinic lawyer(s);
- Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities, and other cultural and ethnic groups within the region to be served by the clinic;
- Assist clients with identification of and access to appropriate LABC services, including legal representation and mediation;
- 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;
- 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;
- Refer clients to external resources or other services
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 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.
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 Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,100.00-$74,366.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
