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 Métis, 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 position is responsible for supporting the mandate of the Eastern District. The Legal Aid Worker (LAW) works with their manager, staff lawyers, and other LAWs to provide direct client service and administrative support in a busy courthouse environment and/or district office. The legal aid worker will assist with referring clients to appropriate services and resources.
This position will be primarily focused on supporting criminal law duty counsel services. This could include client triage, financial testing, assisting with client matters in court (including speaking in court), providing support to duty counsel bail services (including speaking with clients in cells and interviewing sureties). Additionally, this position will provide direct client services at the district office including client triage, financial testing, referrals, and other duties as assigned.
Home Location: Ottawa District Office
Secondary Location: Ottawa Courthouse
Reports to: Manager, Legal Services
Key accountabilities
- Provide services at courthouse and district office locations including client triage and intake
- Assist duty counsel/staff lawyers by triaging/screening clients and provide clients with public legal information including procedural legal information
- Attend criminal court to support and assist duty counsel clients
- Assist clients/duty counsel with bail hearing process (i.e. interview sureties)
- Assist clients/duty counsel with routine administrative matters (i.e. adjournments)
- Make entitlement decisions (including ongoing eligibility) based on LAO’s financial and legal eligibility policies and guidelines.
- Assist clients with drafting and service of family law documents under the supervision of duty counsel/staff lawyer
- Provide general information to clients including information on the status of legal aid applications, appeals, and referrals
Communications, Outreach and Administration
- Communicate with and respond to clients, lawyers, and other legal system partners in-person, by phone, video, and through written correspondence
- Perform outreach with stakeholders including clinics and other community agencies to promote and expand service co-ordination opportunities
- Liaise with private bar lawyers, duty counsel, mental health workers, and other court workers and administrative staff
- Identify and elevate issues/service trends and seek guidance from management when necessary
- Assisting with the training and mentoring of new staff and supporting the implementation of new LAO initiatives
- Perform administrative tasks such as data input, ordering supplies, maintaining digital files, scheduling per diem duty counsel, approving accounts, collecting/compiling information for statistics/performance measures and other tasks as assigned
Required skills & experience
- Ability to communicate with accuracy and fluency in both French and English is required.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies with the proven ability to exercise judgment when encountering stressful situations including the early identification of vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made
- Ability to learn and maintain detailed functional and theoretical knowledge of legal aid application processing rules and procedures, financial principles and LAO policies and practices
- Ability to learn and apply legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria
- Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures
- Demonstrated commitment to client service and relationship building skills
- Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including smartphones, tablets, and videoconference systems
- Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs: Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel
- General knowledge and familiarity with criminal court and family court procedures is an asset.
- Access to transportation
Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.
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: [email protected]
