Legal Aid Navigator I B017-24

LEGAL AID BC

POSTING

 

TO:                                  LABC STAFF (cc: BCGEU)

 

FROM:                            HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

 

POSITION:                     LEGAL AID NAVIGATOR I

 

                                       ONE REGULAR FULL-TIME POSITION – VANCOUVER

 

COMPETITION NO:       B017-24

 

DATE POSTED:             April 30, 2024

 

CLOSING DATE:            May 15, 2024

 

STARTING DATE:          ASAP

 

SALARY:                        Job Class 9 ($50,243-$57,309)

 

HOURS OF WORK:        35 hours per week, Monday to Friday 

                                        This position is not on the modified workweek.

 

 

PRIMARY FUNCTION:   

 

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.

 

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. 

 

The following job duties are illustrative examples and shall not be construed as an exhaustive description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

 

DUTIES:

 

1. PROVIDE NEEDS AND WANTS BASED GUIDANCE TO GENERAL PUBLIC

1. 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;
2. Practice active listening, non-violent communication, non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques in order to achieve productive communication and information sharing with clients facing barriers to service through a lens of Truth & Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion;
3. Act as a first point of contact for client to determine their needs either in-person or through call-centre in order to triage;
4. Review currently available information for Intake, legal counsel and other agencies to identify gaps; and,
5. Meet with the client, sometimes in community settings, to assess their needs and prioritize actions;

 

2. LEGAL NAVIGATION

1. Help clients in navigating the court process;
2. Provide pertinent legal information, resources and / or referrals;
3. Explain LABC coverage and financial eligibility criteria;
4. Facilitate legal aid applications which may include helping clients gather and submit paperwork required by intake;

1. Assist duty counsel and defence counsel in understanding client’s needs for release planning;

5. Assist people who have little if any computer or legal knowledge to identify, evaluate and use legal information resources to resolve legal matters;
6. Assist duty counsel with identifying if client has legal aid; and
7. Refer higher-needs clients to Supervisor, Legal Aid Navigators.

 

3. SOCIAL NAVIGATION

1. 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;
2. Help clients navigate available social supports;
3. As per guidelines, be flexible and help clients with providing basic personal care items, where possible and as available.

 

4. COMMUNITY RESOURCES

1. Leverage available resources in community to support Clients in navigating their legal and social needs;
2. Share experiences and opportunities for learning with other internal and external navigator networks;
3. Maintain a list of viable social services in the relevant community;
4. Maintain community relationships to identify opportunities for potential partnership and support networks;
5. Attend various meetings and functions in the community;
6. Collect and communicate feedback about LABC services and resources to supervisor; and
7. Network and outreach to communities, based on community needs.

 

5. PROVIDE INTAKE SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS

1. Explain LABC coverage and financial eligibility criteria;
2. Facilitate Legal Aid applications which may include helping clients gather and submit paperwork required by Intake, working with internal stakeholders to ensure complete applications; and
3. Assist newly arrested accused who are making first bail appearance to identify existing legal counsel or begin intake paperwork for potentially eligible clientele.

 

6. PERFORM OTHER RELATED DUTIES:

1. Track information about outreach visits and other services, as required identify where there are gaps and provide feedback to supervisor;
2. Use database systems to input and maintain client records;
3. Assist supervisor in orienting new or casual staff; and
4. Other related duties, as required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Basic requirements

1. Grade 12 education supplemented by post-secondary courses in Law, Communications, Education, Criminology, Sociology, or other related disciplines
2. Minimum 2 years relevant experience as outlined in rated requirements
3. Proficient in basic legal research and Internet research
4. Minimum typing speed 35wpm
5. Basic skill in Microsoft Office Suite
6. Understanding of confidentiality and discretion
7. Sound judgment and decision-making skills
8. OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

 

Rated requirements

1. General knowledge of criminal, family, immigration, civil, poverty, and administrative legal proceedings that affect people with low income
2. General knowledge of community groups, legal and community resources and other social services agencies and how to access them locally
3. Ability to practice cultural competency using an extensive knowledge of Truth & Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
4. Knowledge of LABC policies and procedures considered an asset
5. Ability to work effectively and build relationships with a wide range of people including justice system personnel and service providers, community agencies, and key stakeholders
6. Strong desire and ability to assist disadvantaged people including those with low incomes, physical/emotional disabilities, addictions, limited literacy, or with multiple barriers
7. Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information
8. Ability to recognize, de-escalate and diffuse stressful or escalated situations and deal with people in a sensitive and respectful manner
9. Ability to work independently, take initiative and function as part of a team
10. Ability to make presentations to groups and to coach individuals in a way that is easy for them to understand
11. Ability to multi-task, prioritize and manage multiple deadlines
12. Must be comfortable on the web and willing to learn or adapt to new programs 
13. Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal or bureaucratic concepts in plain language for people with limited literacy
14. Must be familiar with general software applications (MS Word, Outlook, Internet, MS SharePoint)
15. Second language an asset
16. Demonstrated awareness of community’s diversity
17. Experience in working and understanding Indigenous, immigrant and marginalized communities

 

This competition may require skills testing based on the qualifications for this position: Microsoft 365 (Office Suite) –Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint Typing

 

Employment is conditional upon completing and obtaining clearance from the following: Criminal Record Check (CRC) in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act Security clearance check by BC Corrections including a Canadian Police Information Computer (CPIC) system check

 

We offer (based on your employment status and affiliation):

 

• 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

 

 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.legalaid.bc.ca

 

We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted.