Description:
Key accountabilities
- 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, appeals and referrals.
- Liaise with other legal service providers, internal and external, including court based services, to ensure seamless client service
- Perform client and certificate file management activities, including providing of information to clients relating to legal aid and court proceeding.
- Court document preparation; client interviewing and assistance with filing the client’s family court documents
- Support panel management as and when directed by the Director General
- Complete complex legal aid applications in person – in custody and out, by telephone including eligibility decisions and client/conflict checks
- Create systems to manage the volume of work and the ability to compile information for statistical purposes and reporting/analysis
- Assist clients and lawyers on the phone and/or in person
- Outreach work with clinics and other community agencies to promote and expand services co-ordination opportunities
- Ability to work cooperatively in a team setting with other Legal Aid Workers, Lawyers, and stakeholders
- This position may require travel.
- Perform other duties as required
Required skills & experience
- 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 and willingness to appear in court on behalf of clients
- Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures
- Demonstrated commitment to client service and relationship building skills
- Possess experience with all types of law and some knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Criminal Code of Canada, the Family Law Act and the Child and Family Services Act
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills
- Possess significant knowledge of LAO priorities, policies and procedures
- Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including familiarity and competence with proper maintenance of client data base and computer information databases such as Peoplesoft
- Well-developed interview skills in a social service environment
- Ability to maintain detailed functional and theoretical knowledge of legal aid application processing rules and procedures including Section 30 process, financial principles and LAO policies and practices
- Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria and to generate certificates in accordance with office procedures and standard formats and to submit files and appropriate documentation to area office staff for processing
- Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies
- Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs; Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with Legal Files Access would be assets
- French language skills (or a second language) would be an asset
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.