Location : Vancouver, BC
Status: Full-time Permanent
Affiliation: British Columbia General Employees' Union (BCGEU)
Salary range : Job Class 9 ($50,243-$57,309)
Competition #: B017-24
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024
VALUES STATEMENT:
Our commitment to the principles of fundamental justice embedded in the _Charter of Rights and Freedoms_, and to Truth and Reconciliation, 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 a Legal Aid Navigator I to join our team.
The Opportunity
As Legal Aid Navigator I, your primary function is to provide enhanced support and referrals for potential and approved Legal Aid Clients with complex, multidisciplinary or intersecting legal needs who are facing difficulty navigating their legal issues while facing social barriers. This position works to create connections with duty counsel, tariff lawyers, other justice system stakeholders and the Legal Aid Navigator Program to help people who require support with a range of issues such as disability, addiction, under-employment, family complications, housing instability, mental illness, trauma, marginalization or other significant challenges in navigating or accessing the courts or criminal justice system.
Key accountabilities include, but aren't limited to:
Provide an empathetic, non-judgemental, open-minded and person-centred approach aimed at building trust with clients in order to identify legal problem(s) and urgency, meeting them where they are at;
Help clients in navigating the court process;
Assist with requests from duty counsel/lawyers to address related social issues such as addictions, mental health support, housing, income assistance, and other non-legal issues
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-centered 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 & Reconciliation, 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, Reconciliation, 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, Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, please explore our website, planning and guiding documents.
The Ideal Candidate
You have:
Grade 12 education supplemented by post-secondary courses in Law, Communications, Education, Criminology, Sociology, or other related disciplines
Minimum 2 years relevant experience as outlined in rated requirements
Proficient in basic legal research and Internet research
Minimum typing speed 35wpm
Basic skill in Microsoft Office Suite
Understanding of confidentiality and discretion
Sound judgment and decision-making skills
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:
If you are interested in joining us - visit our careers page for the full job posting 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: $50,243.00-$57,309.00 per year
Work Location: In person