Legal Aid Worker

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 supporting the District Office by advancing a client’s legal matter and is responsible for providing client services, while supporting the day- day administrative and operational needs of the office. This position is based in person and requires the incumbent to work 5 days a week in the Hamilton District Office. This position performs reception duties, triages client inquiries, and provides administrative support to ensure the efficient delivery of legal aid services.

Primary location: Hamilton

Secondary location: NA

Reports to: Manager, District Operations

Key accountabilities

• Reception duties including answering a high volume of telephone calls and providing information to clients and lawyers on the phone and/or in person regarding legal aid processes and/or the status of their file.
• Triage in-coming e mails and faxes
• Scan consent and declaration forms and attach to client file in the PeopleSoft system.
• Upload portal attachments to client files and triage to appropriate staff.
• Scan and attach correspondences
• Provide clients with clear, accurate information about next steps.
• Create, maintain and update LAO client files in PeopleSoft.
• Respond professionally to client and stakeholder inquiries while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Provide coverage and operational support for other LAW duties as required.

Participate in cross training to support service continuity and operational needs.

• Provide general information, including procedural legal information, by responding to in-person, written and phone inquiries from lawyers, clients and other legal system partners on the status of applications, request for reviews and referrals.
• Liaise with other legal service providers, internal and external, including court-based services, to ensure seamless client service.
• Perform client and certificate management activities when necessary, including providing of information to clients relating to legal aid and the courts.
• Support LAO’s Roster Management program.
• Create systems to manage the volume of work and the ability to compile information for statistical purposes and reporting/analysis.
• Greet and assist clients and lawyers on the phone and/or in person.
• Provide back-up or vacation relief for other staff.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Skills & Experience

• Ability to effectively identify the needs of the clients, in order to refer them to the appropriate services.
• Experience in an office environment and proven ability to deal effectively with clients on the phone and in-person.
• Well- developed knowledge and understanding of Legal Aid Ontario’s Legal and Financial eligibility guidelines
• Knowledge of court procedures, duty counsel policies and LAO’s policies and procedures.
• Good knowledge of community based services available to clients.
• Well-developed interview and investigative skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies with the proven ability to exercise judgment
• Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment to client service and relationship building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including familiarity and competence with proper maintenance of client data base, computer information databases such as PeopleSoft
• Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs; Word, Excel and

PowerPoint

What do we offer?

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal well-being.

We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that include dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Short-Term Disability (STD), and Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage.

Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid time-off policy including vacation days, illness days, discretionary days and statutory holidays.

Employees are eligible to be enrolled to OPSEU Pension Plan, administered by OPSEU Pension Plan Trust Fund (OPTrust).

How to apply?

Submit a résumé and cover letter.

Please clearly set out in your cover letter why you are interested in the Legal Aid Worker position, and highlight relevant experience, skills, and training that make you an ideal candidate.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.

Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

This position is represented by OPSEU and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi-weekly from date of hire.

Note: If a permanent employee, currently represented by OPSEU, is the successful candidate for this opportunity, they will return to their home position at the conclusion of this assignment, if the position continues to exist.

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 résumé 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 a position with 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 View phone number on ca.workus.org or email support:***email_hidden***.

Equity Statement

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.