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 First Nations Métis and Inuit people in the criminal justice system and the child protection system, and to support Nations as they move to sovereignty over justice.
The BCFNJC is growing rapidly. 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.
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.
IJCs integrates staff wellness into daily operations, recognizing that IJC teams may carry the weight of IJC clients’ experiences of injustice and trauma. All staff are part of a proactive approach to wellness that includes access to cultural supports, attention to physical and mental health and reasonable workloads. Staff are expected to take vacation and personal leaves and work collaboratively to cover absences, ensuring that the team remains healthy and able to provide high quality services.
Position Summary:
IJC staff lawyers represent Indigenous clients facing criminal charges with an overarching goal of reducing the number of Indigenous people incarcerated with federal and provincial corrections and Indigenous clients involved in MCFD (child welfare) proceedings.
Staff lawyers are part of an interdisciplinary team that strives to ensure that Indigenous persons who face the MCFD and criminal justice systems do not fall through the cracks. Staff lawyers work closely with Indigenous clients and IJC outreach staff to access the legal and social supports that affect housing, employment, physical and mental health and wellness necessary to address the challenges and systemic barriers in the child protection and criminal justice systems.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide criminal, poverty and/or family and child protection law service to clients, including summary legal advice and information, and individual case representation.
• Develop solutions to legal problems with a focus on early resolution, and act for clients in all legal matters at hearings and at trials in Provincial and Supreme Court.
• Advocate for diversion of legal matters from the formal court system to less intrusive measures, including Indigenous intervention protocols, Indigenous justice processes, alternative dispute resolution processes; mediation and restorative justice processes where appropriate
• Advocate for Gladue Reports in all cases where the court must determine the client’s sentence
• Collaborate with Indigenous, local, provincial and federal government agencies and service providers to ensure clients have access to culturally safe and Indigenized programs and services
• Maintain documentation, comprehensive and up to date client files, in accordance with BCFNJC’s policies
• Work with the Resource and Support Worker to provide client-centred wrap around services
• Work with the Resource and Support Worker to raise the visibility of the IJC and promote awareness of the available of legal services in MCFD and criminal matters
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Indigenous communities
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with all employees and IJC stakeholders, including service providers, police, probation, diversion, crown counsel and other crown agencies
• Represent the IJC in meetings, at community events, and with other organizations, as assigned
• Develops and conducts workshops to train community members and the public on a variety of issues related to criminal law, child protection, family law, civil law and mediation.
• Participate in IJCs proactive approach to staff wellness
• Compile information for annual and other reports and ensure comprehensive statistics are maintained as required.
• Contribute to the collaborative approach to wrap-around services in the Indigenous Justice Centres
• Work together with the IJC team to maintain a welcoming, high-function centre by supporting colleagues and community partners, as assigned
• Comply with BCFNJC policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
• Passion for transforming a legal system into a justice system for Indigenous people in BC
• Belief that law should be client/person-centred, not lawyer centred
• Membership or eligibility for membership of the Law Society of British Columbia.
• At least five (5) years call to the Bar in British Columbia or equivalent experience in another Canadian jurisdiction.
• Minimum 3 years management/supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in the respective area of law, including practice of (criminal, family, child protection, poverty law, immigration law).
• 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
• 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
• Knowledge of local agencies that offer indigenous / restorative justice services, and support services to offenders, and to children, youth and families
• Ability to synthesize complex legal problems and propose creative solutions
• Ability to provide a culturally safe environment for clients
• An understanding of Indigenous issues, cultures as well as Indigenous community groups and agencies and current issues affecting indigenous communities.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills combined with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster and work within a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Experience and interest in Public Legal Education.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to defuse stressful situations and use tact in dealing with clients and the general public.
• Solid computer skills coupled with a good understanding of the use of new technologies within a dynamic work environment.
• Excellent project management skills and the demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet heavy case/work load demands and deadlines.
• Provide mentorship and support to junior lawyers, articling and law school students as assigned
• Self-motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision in a team-oriented setting
• Strong organizational, case and file management skills, stress management and time management skills
• Ability to engage people to build trust and rapport; have effective verbal and listening communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, problem solve and take initiative
• Understanding of interdisciplinary approach and respect for non-legal supports
• Commitment to collaborative team environment
• Valid Driver’s License, the use of a vehicle and ability to travel
• clear Vulnerable Sector Check (to be completed after receiving offer of employment)
Reporting: Reports to the Provincial Director of IJCs
Office type: Hybrid (minimum 75% in office)
Pay Range: $90,000 – 150,000 annually depending on year of call and experience
Benefits: Extended benefits package that includes extended health and dental, personal days, paid vacation, and RRSP/TFSA savings plans
Hours: Full-time (35 hours / week); Mondays to Fridays
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