Job Description

POSTING # 2022-54 - Legal Counsel (12 Month Contract) PURPOSE OF POSITION: As a member of our legal team, you will be responsible for delivering legal services as a trusted legal advisor. You will be responsible for ensuring that services are delivered in keeping with our mandate under the Child Youth and Family Services Act as well as our responsibilities under An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families. This includes but is not limited to responsibility for all court related activities such as preparing for child protection applications by preparing pleadings, court attendance including interim hearings and trials. You will be responsible for assisting our child protection workers in all legal aspects of their cases, whether they involve court activity or not. As a trusted legal advisor, you will be expected to provide legal support to staff on all agency-wide issues and not just with respect to litigation.DUTIES AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares for and represents the Society on child protection cases in the Superior Court of Justice whether the applications are commenced by the Society or other parties.
• Prepares for and actively conducts trials, motions for summary judgement and various other motions.
• Prepares for and represents the Society before administrative tribunals, including expungement hearings at the Child Abuse Register, and complaints and reviews before the Child and Family Services Review Board.
• Prepares for and represents the Society at appropriate hearings under the Children's Law Reform Act.
• Prepares for and represents the Society on appeals and judicial review applications in higher courts.
• Acts as legal resource person for consultation with protection workers and administration with respect to the Child Youth and Family Services Act and child protection matters (including adoption) and with respect to the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other legislation affecting children. On occasion, represents the Society as statutory parent or as third-party record holder in Criminal cases.
• Sits as a member of in-house and local committees.
• Assists with training sessions for agency staff.
• Prepares legal bulletins and supports internal legal clinics.
• Assists in the resolution of jurisdictional conflicts between societies.
• Assists adoption workers in the finalization of adoption applications and presents said applications in the Superior Court of Justice where required.
• Notarizes and commissions documents.
• Acts as guest speaker or panelist as requested by various groups and as time permits.
• Other related duties as may be assigned by the Director of Legal Services.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE:

• Computer competence and literacy.
• Excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills providing constructive, meaningful, and timely interaction with all levels of staff.
• A demonstrated understanding of the impact of colonialism on child welfare in Ontario and a demonstrated understanding and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonizing child welfare practices.
• Solid ability to think analytically with attention to detail in the presence of frequent interruptions
• Excellent ability to make decisions of sound judgment and provide legal advice, often in crisis or emergency situations
• Solid understanding and commitment to the agencyaEUR(TM)s core values, quality service and best practice
• Highly detail-oriented
• Accountable for own actions and decisions, making decisions within the scope of the position and referring issues/problems/events to Senior Counsel as required
• Flexible, adaptable, and responsive to change
• Ability to deal with highly sensitive and personal information in a confidential manner
• Advanced ability to analyse information, problem-solve and make solid recommendations
• Self-directed with an excellent ability to organize, plan, prioritize and multi-task
• Acts with integrity, trustworthiness, humility, transparency, and compassion
• Demonstrates critical thinking
• Excellent ability to work with and meet tight, critical timelines

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Law Degree and membership in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
• A minimum of 3 yearsaEUR(TM) experience representing children and parents in child welfare and family law matters
• Excellent knowledge of case preparation, presentation and litigation techniques and alternative dispute resolution strategies
• Bilingualism in French would be an asset
• Advanced knowledge of legislation governing and impacting child welfare in Ontario.
• Basic knowledge of relevant York Region ChildrenaEUR(TM)s Aid Society industry computer applications such as CPIN, adobe pro, word, excel etc
• Knowledge and experience in the application of related legal theory and practice
• A satisfactory Police Records Check is required
• Valid DriveraEUR(TM)s License and access to a reliable motor vehicle with appropriate business class liability insurance is preferred

PAY GRADE: 10 ($95,695.25 - $121,388.34)HOURS OF WORK: 33.75 Hours per weekCandidates who meet the qualifications are welcome to apply and should do so in writing to human resources no later than 11:59 p.m. on August 29, 2022. Please quote job posting #2022-54- Legal CounselWork is performed in a hybrid work environment and is performed outside the typical office setting, however on occasion may be required to come to the office when activities cannot be performed remotely.Employment at York Region ChildrenaEUR(TM)s Aid Society is conditional upon the verification of credentials, a satisfactory vulnerable sector check, proof of COVID-19 vaccination (2 doses required), as per YRCAS Mandatory COVID-19 Immunization Policy.We appreciate all applications received. All communications will be held in strict and professional confidence. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their submissions. At the request of the candidate, post interview feedback will be provided verbally at the end of the recruitment process, at a mutually agreeable time.Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism at York Region ChildrenaEUR(TM)s Aid Society YRCAS is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of York Region and strongly encourages application from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.Diversity, Equity & InclusionYork Region ChildrenaEUR(TM)s Aid Society is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, and fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment practices is a key aspect of the search process. The current posting is in search of candidates who identified from the following equity seeking groups; women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. If you are of the aforementioned identities, and feel comfortable making it known, you may choose to self-identify as member of a designated group. Any information directly related to you is kept confidential and used in a safe manner to inform our recruitment process towards being an equal opportunity employer.Vaccination PolicyThe successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on the condition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated is defined as having received all the required doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine and having received the final dose at least 14 days before your employment start date. The candidate will be asked to provide York Region ChildrenaEUR(TM)s Aid Society with proof of full vaccination, prior to the candidateaEUR(TM)s employment start date. Acceptable proof includes an Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 vaccine receipt which you can obtain through the Provincial portal https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/, or other government-issued vaccine passport or certification. As described above, the requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the candidate is unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for a reason protected by the Code, requests for accommodation from the vaccine policy will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to York Region ChildrenaEUR(TM)s Aid Society accommodation process.Accommodation at YRCAS We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants that may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify the Human Resources Department when contacted for an interview. Human Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 monthsSalary: $95,695.25-$121,388.34 per yearBenefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care
• Wellness program
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift

Application question(s):

• Are you currently a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario?

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

• Child Welfare / Family Law Representation: 3 years (required)
• Legal Case Management: 1 year (preferred)

Application deadline: 2022-08-29