Staff Lawyer - Merritt - Jobs in Merritt, BC

Job Description

Organization Summary:Empowered by the First Nations Leadership Council and in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, the BC First Nations Justice Council has been entrusted with the mandate to transform the justice system to create better outcomes for Indigenous people through the implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.We are a rapidly growing and dedicated team that is located across the province. We take our mandate seriously but also strive for a balanced, caring work environment that is respectful and supportive.Position Summary:The Staff Lawyer for the Merritt Indigenous Justice Centre will use their legal skills to reduce the number of Indigenous peoples who are systemically and unnecessarily incarcerated and reduce the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in care. 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 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.Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide clients legal representation for criminal and child protection matters who would otherwise not have legal representation
• Assist clients who are facing serious charges but who are denied legal aid with making Rowbotham applications to obtain funding for legal representation
• Advocate on behalf of clients for the diversion of their legal matters from the formal court system to less intrusive measures, including: Indigenous intervention protocols, First Nations Courts, Indigenous justice processes, alternative dispute resolution processes, mediation and restorative justice processes where appropriate in consultation with officers of the court and local protocols
• Work with the community outreach coordinator to ensure Indigenous communities and service providers are aware of the legal counsel role and availability to assist Indigenous parents’ whose children are at risk of being taken into care of the government or whose children are temporarily in care of the government, as well as Indigenous peoples who are being charged with criminal offences but do not otherwise have access to legal representation
• Develop working relationships with local Indigenous communities, child protection, police diversion and crown counsel teams
• Advocate on behalf of clients for crown Counsel to consider non-approval of charges or stays of proceedings to allow criminal matters to be resolved through an indigenous criminal justice approach / Indigenous alternative measure
• Advocate for all clients whose criminal matters make it to the sentencing stages to have Gladue reports put before the judge prior to sentencing
• Work with IJC Gladue staff to ensure that Gladue factors are collected and available for consideration at every stage
• Work with clients in child protection matters, their Indigenous community and support team to develop and propose alternative care plans that will keep their children safe and within their family / community
• Collaborate with Indigenous, local, provincial and federal government program and service providers to ensure clients have access to the culturally safe and Indigenized programs and services they need to support them in keeping their children out of care and their members out of the criminal justice system
• Maintain documentation, comprehensive and up-to-date client files
• Compile and submit statistical data with regard to clients served and services delivered, in accordance with the BCFNJC’s Data Collection Framework
• Regularly update the Provincial Director of Indigenous Justice Centres of activities being undertaken and any resources required for completion of job duties
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Work Experience:

• Member of the Law Society of British Columbia in good standing
• J.D. / LL.B.; Advanced Degrees and/or Joint J.D./J.I.D. are considered an asset
• 1-3 years’ experience preferably in the practice of criminal law
• Must have knowledge of local and urban Indigenous cultures
• 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
• Must have knowledge of local agencies that offer indigenous / restorative justice services, and support services to offenders, and to 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
• Must have a valid Driver’s License, the use of a vehicle and ability to travel

Salary Range: $80,000-$100,000Reporting: Provincial Director of the Indigenous Justice CentresLocation: Merritt , BCBenefits: This position is eligible for participate in our group benefits plan.Hours: Full-time (35hours / week); Mondays to FridaysWhile 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.Quick Apply

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