Job Description

Union: OPSEU

Job Number: J0623-1383

Job Title: Legal Aid Worker (12 months)

Job Type: Contract

Contract Duration: 12 months

City, Province, Country: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Location: Toronto

Job Category: Customer Service / Customer Associates

Role Designation: LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.

Open Positions: 1

Posting Date: July 6, 2023

Closing Date: July 13, 2023

Salary: $50,515.92 - $75,404.85/Year

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It\'s an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or M\xc3\xa9tis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

Primary function

This role is responsible for providing client service under the direct supervision of a Lawyer Manager. The legal worker will be responsible for the initial intake and triage/assessment of family law clients to confirm financial eligibility and determine the most appropriate service for clients; communicate with clients, stakeholders and various agencies; support clients in the gathering of material evidence and financial disclosure; organize and sort through documentation provided by clients; draft court documents; provide general information, procedural guidance and referrals to other services and agencies; coordinate services with duty counsel and facilitate referrals to the certificate program. The legal worker will also carry out other administrative tasks or duties as assigned by the Lawyer Manager and support other members of the team.

Home Location: Toronto North FLSC (45 Sheppard Avenue East, Ste. 106, Toronto)
Secondary Location(s): n/a

Reporting to: Lawyer Manager, Toronto North - Family Law Service Centre

Key accountabilities

• Assessment of the clients\' needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services
• Confirming financial eligibility of clients as needed
• Assisting with Reception and filing responsibilities, including answering a high volume of telephone calls and in-person inquiries
• managing client files, under the direct supervision of the Lawyer Manager, including interviewing and communicating regularly with clients to gather and organize information and documentation about their legal issues
• Drafting and preparation of court documents, including pleadings and briefs and any other documents required by the Family Law Rules as well as drafting of other legal documents as instructed by Lawyer Manager such as statutory declarations, affidavits in support of subsidized housing etc.
• Supporting the Toronto Family Law Services triage team as required
• Liaising with various community and government agencies, stakeholders and duty counsel
• Working within established systems to prioritize and manage caseloads
• Ensuring that statistical data is captured and reported accurately
• Demonstrating some flexibility in terms of work hours including occasionally working partly through lunch breaks or past regular work hours
• Performing office administration tasks such as data input, ordering supplies, maintaining files and other administrative tasks as assigned

Required skills & experience

• Excellent writing, drafting and communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and interview skills, including sound judgment in relating to clients, lawyers and other stakeholders
• Ability to work well in a professional office and team environment, and proven ability to deal effectively and sensitively with vulnerable and marginalized clients on the phone and in-person
• Ability to prioritize and work efficiently under severe time constraints
• Ability to manage client expectations
• Ability to be resilient, solution-oriented, possess a calm temperament and adapt to working well in a constantly changing environment
• Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures
• Good understanding of family court processes and the rules and practice directions for all levels of court serviced by Toronto duty counsel
• Knowledge of relevant family law legislation, including Family Law Act, Children\'s Law Reform Act, Interjurisdictional Support Order Act, the Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act and the Family Law Rules
• Understanding and knowledge of legal aid application process, including financial and legal eligibility guidelines and other LAO policies and practices
• Good working knowledge of PeopleSoft and other computer programs and systems
• Good working knowledge of DivorceMate and Legal Files
• Intermediate knowledge and familiarity with Microsoft programs, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and LAO\'s PeopleSoft program
• An understanding and adherence to discretion and client confidentiality
• Written and oral French language skills are an asset

Organizational Competencies Expected

• Client Focus
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Personal Motivation and Accountability
• Focus on Quality and Best Practice
• Problem Solving and Judgment
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork and Collaboration

To apply submit a cover letter & r\xc3\xa9sum\xc3\xa9.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.

This position is collectively represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the successful incumbent will be governed by the provisions of a collective agreement and subject to union dues.

Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position.
Already have an Njoyn account? Just sign in and select "my jobs" to apply.
Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.

Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com

Legal Aid Ontario