Community Legal 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 CLW position is responsible for supporting litigation teams in complex case files related to systemic law reform activities, detention issues, refugee and immigration issues. This position requires working with exceptionally vulnerable clients who live with serious mental health issues, addiction issues and histories of trauma. This position also leads community outreach and development activities, and participates in public legal education initiatives. This positional so supports intake and provides information about legal processes and community resources.

Primary Location: Toronto Refugee Law Office
Secondary Location: Travel within and outside of the GTA (Detention Centre’s, Immigration Holding Centre’s and Hospitals)

This position is 100% onsite at the locations listed above. The successful candidate must be able to commute to the office(s) and work in person on a full time basis.

Reports to: Manager, RLO – Toronto

Key accountabilities

• Competence working with exceptionally vulnerable clients with complex and diverse specialneeds
• Competence working with clients with serious mental health issues and histories of addictionand trauma
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with clients, lawyers andexternal stakeholders with the proven ability to exercise sound judgment when encounteringstressful situation
• Excellent written skills
• Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office products such as Word, Outlook, Excel and Teams,and the ability to enter and retrieve information in a client service and case managementsystem (PeopleSoft, Legal Files)
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, to multi-task and to work well under pressure
• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff in a high pressure environment
• Willingness to travel within and outside of the GTA

Required skills & experience

• A degree in social work or the combined equivalent of education and experience
• Experience working with exceptionally vulnerable clients with histories of mental health issues, addiction and trauma
• Experience in client services either within LAO or other client/community legal services
• Knowledge of detention, immigration and refugee processes
• Knowledge of RLO policies, processes and procedures
• Knowledge of other stakeholders’/partner policies to ensure clients are handled efficiently by appropriate services
• Experience working with refugees, and/or refugee and immigrant organizations
• Knowledge of community based services available to client
• Fluency in French or another language is an asset

To apply submit a covering 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.
First time applying to 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.