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 Duty Counsel office by advancing a client’s legal matter and is responsible for providing client service under the direct supervision of the Manager Legal Services in Halton at the Duty Counsel Office located in Milton.
This position will support the Institutional Duty Counsel (IDC) program in the Central West. This will require in person attendance at detention centers, including Vanier Centre for Women and/or Maplehurst Correctional Complex.
Primary location: Milton
Secondary location: NA
Reports to: Manager of Legal Services, Halton
Key accountabilities
- Assist Duty Counsel with Intake, taking applications for in-custody clients, triaging and gathering client information.
Conduct client interviews (in person or phone) under direction of Duty Counsel in accordance with LAO policies and eligibility.
Provide clients with clear, accurate information about next steps.
- Create, maintain and update LAO client files in PeopleSoft.
Provide client with status updates.
- Assess client needs in order to refer to the appropriate resource(s) and/or service(s)
- Triage client needs appropriately, including early identification of vulnerable clients
- Take legal aid applications, determine certificate eligibility, perform status checks and assist DC with client queries
- Required to work in-person at the detention centres and/or courthouse
- 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.
- Review, summarize and respond to client complaints.
- 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
- Solid understanding of criminal court processes, rules and practice directions for all levels of court serviced by Duty Counsel office.
• Knowledge of legal aid application processing rules and procedures. • Ability to effectively identify the needs of the clients, in order to refer them to the appropriate services.
- 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.
- Possess knowledge of LAO priorities, policies and procedures.
- 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.
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 1-877-427-7717 or email support:
[email protected].
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.
