Staff Lawyer - Virtual IJC

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Empowered by the First Nations Leadership Council and in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) is responsible to 204 First Nations in BC. Our mandate is to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system and to support Nations as they move to sovereignty over justice.

We are a rapidly growing and dedicated team (6 Council members & 100+ employees) We currently have 10 IJCs (Merritt, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Chilliwack, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Surrey and the Virtual IJC which serves Indigenous people across the rest of BC). We are opening 6 new IJCs this year. Indigenous people in BC deserve world-class legal services and programs. To this end, we are seeking team members who share our vision, understand the gravity of the work, are excited by the opportunity and will not stop until we reach our goal. We take our mandate seriously but also strive for a balanced, caring work environment that is respectful and supportive.

INDIGENOUS JUSTICE CENTRES

The Indigenous Justice Centers (IJCs) are spaces where those facing involvement in the colonial justice systems can come for legal support. BCFNJC recognizes that Indigenous people are significantly overrepresented in both the correctional and child welfare systems and often face intersecting systemic and social barriers to navigating the colonial systems. Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples are among the most impacted as victims, survivors and families of gender-based violence and of MMIWG2S+.

The IJCs houses Legal and Outreach teams that bring together a range of community, cultural and professional expertise that are available to people navigating criminal and child protection cases. The interdisciplinary team works together with a client-centered approach to access the legal and social supports that effect their housing, employment, physical and mental health and wellness, necessary to address the challenges facing them in the child protection and criminal justice systems.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Staff Lawyer for the Virtual Justice Centre will use their legal skills to advance BCFNJC’s mandate, focused on reducing the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in care and reduce the number of Indigenous peoples who are systemically and unnecessarily incarcerated. The Staff Lawyer’s practice will have a strong focus on criminal defence work with some child protection matters.

As legal counsel, you will be on a team that strives to ensure Indigenous peoples who face the child protection and criminal law systems do not fall through the cracks that exist within those systems. You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team to support Indigenous clients to help them access the legal, social, housing, transportation and health and wellness supports they need to address challenges in dealing with the mainstream child protection and justice systems. You will work with BCFNJC’s staff and, as directed, with local First Nations to support Indigenous approaches to justice.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide legal services to Indigenous clients through the virtual platform for both child protection and criminal matters. You will be part of a team of lawyers working in the virtual platform as well as coordinating with the physical IJC’s throughout the province

• Support work of First Nations, as assigned, with the redevelopment of their own legal codes

• Provide advice on diversion options for our clients and allow for multiple contacts and on-going assistance to Indigenous clients to divert and solve legal issues before they escalate

• Work closely with Indigenous clients to help them access the legal, social, housing, transportation and health and wellness supports they need to address challenges in dealing with the mainstream child protection and justice systems

• Liaise with other staff lawyers as required

• Support initiatives that increase Indigenous people’s access to justice and decrease the number of Indigenous incarcerations and Indigenous children in care

• Work closely with team of legal assistants/paralegals available to triage and do initial intake and to schedule appointments for clients where necessary

• Liaise with provincial staff and other agencies on legal matters pertaining to issues effecting Indigenous people

• Work closely with Indigenous communities

• Build and foster community networks

• Provide legal services in a virtual setting

• Attend virtual team meetings and on occasion, meetings in a physical setting when required

• Continue to explore creative ways to evolve the virtual processes to reflect the needs of the VIJC

• Performs other related duties as assigned

• Must possess strong organizational, case and file management skills, stress management and time management skills

• Must have the ability to engage people to build trust and rapport; have effective verbal and listening communication skills

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality, problem solve and take initiative

QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of an LLB/JD from an accredited law school in Canada

Lawyer

• Be in good standing with the Law Society of BC

• Must have at least 3 years (ideally 5+ years) experience in litigation, preferably in the practice of child protection and/or criminal law

• Experience and/or knowledge with First Nations legal issues, political bodies and historical legal traditions

• Passion for transforming a legal system into a justice system for Indigenous people in BC

• Ability to research and write legal briefs and opinions

• Belief that law should be client/person-centred, not lawyer or court centred

• Ability to synthesize complex legal problems and propose creative solutions

• Ability to bring an Indigenous view to reforming legislation

• Must be able to provide a culturally safe environment for clients

• Must have knowledge of the structure and procedures of Canada’s Criminal Justice System, including knowledge of the criminal law, Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Crown Counsel Policy Manual (in particular charge assessment guidelines), Gladue principles and case law

• Must have knowledge of the structure and procedures of British Columbia’s child protection system, including the Child Family and Community Services Act, and Bill C-92 – An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families

• Knowledge of the following documents is an asset: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action

• Must be a self-motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision in a team-oriented setting

• Must possess strong organizational, case and file management skills, stress management and time management skills

• Must have the ability to engage people to build trust and rapport; have effective verbal and listening communication skills

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality, problem solve and take initiative

Job Title: Staff Lawyer-Virtual IJC

Reporting: Provincial Director of the Indigenous Justice Centres

Location: Remote, BC, with proximity to an airport for periodic court travel

Benefits: Extended benefits package that includes health and dental, personal days, paid vacation, and RRSP/TFSA savings plans

Pay Range: $90,000 - $150,000 - salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Hours: Full-time (35hours / week); Mondays to Fridays

While we recognize the value of diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, preference will be provided to Indigenous applicants in accordance with section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code. Candidates of Indigenous background are encouraged to self-identify on their application.