Empowered by the First Nations Leadership Council and in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) is responsible to 204 First Nations in BC. Our mandate is to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations Métis and Inuit people in the criminal justice system and the child protection system, and to support Nations as they move to sovereignty over justice.
We are a rapidly growing and dedicated team (6 Council members & 100+ employees) We currently have 16 IJCs (Merritt, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Chilliwack, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Surrey, Port Hardy, Kamloops, Williams Lake, Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Burns Lake/Hazelton and the Virtual IJC which serves Indigenous people across BC). Indigenous people in BC deserve world-class legal services and programs. To this end, we are seeking team members who share our vision, understand the gravity of the work, are excited by the opportunity and will not stop until we reach our goal. We take our mandate seriously but also strive for a balanced, caring work environment that is respectful and supportive.
Indigenous Justice Centres:
The Indigenous Justice Centers (IJCs) are spaces where those facing involvement in the colonial justice systems can come for legal support. BCFNJC recognizes that Indigenous people are significantly overrepresented in both the correctional and child welfare systems and often face intersecting systemic and social barriers to navigating the colonial systems. Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples are among the most impacted as victims, survivors and families of gender-based violence and of MMIWG2S+.
The IJCs houses Legal and Outreach teams that bring together a range of community, cultural and professional expertise that are available to people navigating criminal and child protection cases. The interdisciplinary team works together with a client-centered approach to access the legal and social supports that effect their housing, employment, physical and mental health and wellness, necessary to address the challenges facing them in the child protection and criminal justice systems.
IJCs integrates staff wellness into daily operations, recognizing that IJC teams may carry the weight of IJC clients’ experiences of injustice and trauma. All staff are part of a proactive approach to wellness that includes access to cultural supports, attention to physical and mental health and reasonable workloads. Staff are expected to take vacation and personal leaves and work collaboratively to cover absences, ensuring that the team remains healthy and able to provide high quality services.
Position Summary:
The Virtual Client Navigator for the Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre (VIJC) is the first contact for legal services for Indigenous clients living in the under-served areas of the province where access to legal advice or representation is difficult or non-existent. Through the use of technology, the VIJC is able to provide service to the entire province of BC and, receives callers within and outside of our physical IJC catchment areas.
As the Virtual Client Navigator, your primary responsibility is to gather information from the caller on the phone to confirm that the caller is eligible for services. You are able to work with limited direction, exceptionally organized, with strong verbal and written communication skills. A trauma-informed lens is required for this role, as is the ability to gather the relevant information in a compassionate and efficient way. At times, the Navigator may be exposed to sensitive and disturbing information from intake calls or emails.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serves as the first point of contact for the Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre to determine if the person calling is eligible for services.
- Answer phone calls and respond to emails regarding eligibility for services.
- Maintaining consistent communication with the Legal Assistant or Paralegal in the VIJC so they can take next steps to do a full intake and book potential clients with a lawyer.
- Maintain awareness of other services throughout the province and provide contact information/referral to those resources.
- Compile and submit statistical data regarding calls received, in accordance with the BCFNJC’s Data Collection Framework; and provide updates to the Provincial Director and other Departments within the BCFNJC.
- Maintain a database of community agencies and services to facilitate referrals to other organizations when callers needs are outside IJC services.
- Other tasks and duties as required at the discretion of the Provincial Director or the Virtual Staff Lawyers and assistants.
- Ability to adapt to change and flexibility to implement new policies and procedures as the organization grows and develops.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Comply with BCFNJC policies and procedures.
- Education or experience in legal office administration, outreach roles or social services would be beneficial.
- Knowledge of First Nations practices and culture.
- Experience in Indigenous community engagement.
- Experience answering phones and directing calls in a legal practice or social work environment. Crisis line training or experience would be beneficial.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (word processing, excel, electronic redacting (using Adobe), Outlook, Internet and other standard computer applications.
- Comfortable using technology to deliver virtual support.
- Must be a self-motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Knowledge of the history of Indigenous peoples in BC, the impacts of colonialism and the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice and child protection systems.
- A clear criminal record check will be a condition of employment.
Reporting: This position will report to the Client Navigator Lead
Location: Virtual
Office type: Remote
Pay Range: $45,000 - $55,000 annually
Benefits: Extended benefits package that includes extended health and dental, personal days, paid vacation, and RRSP/TFSA savings plans
Hours: Full-time (35 hours/week); Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am - 4:30pm
While we recognize the value of diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, preference will be provided to Indigenous applicants in accordance with section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code. Candidates of Indigenous background are encouraged to self-identify on their application.
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