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

The Legal Aid Worker is responsible for providing direct client service assistance, in person and remotely, for Simcoe County and Muskoka in criminal courts. The Legal Aid Worker is responsible for the initial assessment and intake of criminal law clients including but not limited to: speaking in court, checking conflicts, assigning files to duty counsel and scheduling appointments, creating and managing files, liaising with court stakeholders, responding to client inquiries, referring clients to appropriate services and resources, providing LAO status checks, and providing general administrative support at the office.

The incumbent is also responsible for assisting criminal duty counsel services by providing direct client service and administrative support, including client and surety interviews, triaging client needs and referring clients to appropriate services and resources and speaking to adjournments. The incumbent requires knowledge of certificate and roster management processes for the Central East district and organization.

Home location: Barrie

Secondary location(s): Simcoe County and Muskoka

Reporting to: Manager, Legal Operations

Key accountabilities

• Interview clients to gather information about case, field telephone calls from clients, and assist the lawyer manager with client queries, referrals, requests for information etc.;
• Assessment of the client needs to determine the appropriate service for the client, including the early identification of vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made
• Carry out initial intake of clients, including administering the financial and legal eligibility tests.
• Complete applications or certificate management for vulnerable clients as needed
• Assist clients and lawyers on the phone and/or in-person by providing general information, including the status of applications, appeals or referrals.
• Maintaining tickler systems, interviewing criminal clients and potential sureties as support for staff lawyers, ability to interview criminal clients with mental health issues for intake purposes;
• Address matters in court (remote or in-person)
• Input client data in PeopleSoft through Service Integration.
• Liaise with private bar lawyers and other appropriate court stakeholders.
• Perform office administration tasks such as data input, ordering supplies, maintaining files, scheduling per diem duty counsel and other tasks as assigned
• Perform other duties as required. Required skills & experience
• Familiarity with financial eligibility, certificate coverage and tariff guidelines;
• Travel will be required

Required Skills & Experience

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and interview skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in interacting with clients, lawyers and other agencies, especially in stressful situations.
• Sound knowledge of LAO guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Ability to effectively identify the needs of the clients, in order to refer them to the appropriate services
• Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures.
• Good understanding of criminal court processes and the rules and practice directions for all levels of court serviced by duty counsel;
• Legal worker experience in criminal law
• Ability to maintain detailed functional and theoretical knowledge of legal aid application processing rules and procedures including Section 30 process, s. 25 process (youth certificate) and s. 85 process (mental health certificate) financial principles and LAO policies and practices.
• Ability to travel in-person
• Knowledge of relevant legislation would be an asset, such as the Criminal Code of Canada.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft programs (e.g. Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Experience in the use of Legal Files and PeopleSoft (Service Integration).
• While not required at this stage, future training and development in the family law area of our office may be part of the role as our needs evolve.
• Familiarity with financial eligibility, certificate coverage and tariff guidelines;

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 and Short-Term Disability (STD) 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.

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 canada.jobradars.com 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.