Job Description

Company Bio

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.
Primary function
This position is responsible for providing client service, remotely and in-person, in the Toronto District under the direct supervision of a lawyer manager. This position currently supports the Etobicoke (2201 Finch) team. However, the legal aid worker may be required to provide service throughout the Toronto District in any current location, including the Toronto South Detention Centre, the New Toronto Courthouse (NTC) and the Toronto Regional Bail Centre (TRBC). The individual selected for this position will rotate between these locations and any other locations in the City of Toronto where criminal duty counsel services are provided.

The legal aid worker will be responsible for the initial assessment and intake of criminal law clients to assisting determining the appropriate service for the client, the referral to appropriate services and resources, providing basic procedural information to criminal law clients and interviewing sureties. The legal aid worker will also provide some administrative support to the lawyer manager and staff duty counsel.

Home Location: Etobicoke - 2201 Finch
Secondary Location(s): Toronto Region Bail Centre, Toronto South Detention Centre, Ontario Court of Justice Toronto

Reporting to: Manager, Duty Counsel
Key accountabilities

• Assessment of the client need to determine the appropriate service for the client, including the early identification of vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made, under the supervision of staff lawyers;
• Interview clients to gather information about case, field telephone calls from clients, and assist the lawyer manager with client queries, referrals, requests for information etc.;
• Maintaining tickler systems, interviewing criminal clients and potential sureties as support for staff lawyers, ability to interview criminal clients with mental health issues for intake purposes;
• Take applications for legal aid certificates;
• Perform office administration tasks such as data input, ordering supplies, maintaining files, scheduling per diem duty counsel and other tasks as assigned
• Familiarity with financial eligibility, certificate coverage and tariff guidelines

Required skills & experience

• Excellent word processing skills;
• Familiarity and competence with basic criminal law procedural rules,
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and interview skills, and sound judgment for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies;
• Good understanding of criminal court processes and the rules and practice directions for all levels of court serviced by duty counsel;
• Legal worker experience in criminal law;
• Knowledge of relevant criminal law;
• Ability to maintain detailed functional and theoretical knowledge of legal aid application processing rules and procedures including Section 30 process, s. 25 process (youth certificate) and s. 85 process (mental health certificate) financial principles and LAO policies and practices. Maintain knowledge of Peoplesoft and other computer programs and systems;
• Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria and to generate certificates in accordance with office procedures and standard formats and to submit files and appropriate documentation to area office staff for processing.
• Written and oral French language skills are an asset
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including Smartphones; Blackberry?s and iPhone.
• Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs; Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Experience with Access would be an asset.

To apply submit a cover letter & r?sum?.

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
Equity Statement

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available upon request.
Legal Aid Ontario encourages applicants from equity seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or M?tis descent, persons with disabilities, women, members of racialized communities and the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We recognize the value of diversity, equity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and 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.