Poverty Law Coordinator

Posting Number: Internal/External 2024-03

Posting Date: February 13, 2024, Closing: When the best candidate has been hired.

Position:Poverty Law Coordinator

Hours: 30-35 hours per week, (variety of shifts) This is a Benefited position

Reporting Relationship: Reports to the Program Director

Location: Evans Street

Start Date: Immediate

Hourly Wage: $29.00 - $31.00

This position provides comprehensive advocacy services to marginalized individuals and families of all genders for income assistance, disability assistance; to maintain tenancy, Canada Pension Plan Disability, Employment and Insurance, debt, and other income support related programs. Provides assistance and representation through administration hearing processes. The Poverty Law Advocate will also promote awareness of the advocacy program and its activities.

Leadership:

· Staff orientation and training

· Participate in hiring of staff in collaboration with HR.

· Promotes a leadership practice that reflects feminist principles that include values of:

o Shared, appropriately exercised leadership.

o Equality, equity, and an analysis of power

o Collaborative decision-making

o Transparency and confidentiality

· Understands anti-racism practices and builds inclusion and embraces diversity.

· Succession planning insights to PD/ED for programs and positions

· Provides monthly board reports.

Program Operations and Planning

· Writes and submits regular reports as required by the Law Foundation of British Columbia

· Maintains and manages accurate and timely documentation of client files and statistical records.

· Participates in supervision as deemed appropriate by the supervising lawyer and immediate supervisor.

· Meets regularly with the supervising lawyer to review files and discuss work in regard to legal matters.

· Ensures that programs and services meet all applicable accreditation, reporting and contractual requirements.

· Performs other duties/tasks as directed.

Client Services:

· Provides Poverty Law advocacy services to individual clients as per the Law Foundation of British Columbia’s Scope of Service and in areas including income assistance, housing/tenancy, disability benefits, etc. Provides clients with legal information and facilitates clients’ access to community resources and appropriate referrals.

· Meets with clients to review case information, identify legal issues, provide advice, explain processes, and support clients to choose options and solutions.

· Assists clients with completing forms, applications, and other documents.

· As appropriate, provides representation for clients at tribunals and other hearings.

· Develops and maintains working relationships with government agencies and other service providers.

· Liaises with community groups to enhance awareness of services.

· Prepares and facilitates public legal education workshops for the Cowichan Valley community to complement existing services already provided by CWAVS staff.

· It is recognized that there is a degree of mobility required in the role as clients may have barriers to coming to the office. The Poverty Law Advocate may be required to travel to clients as needed using their own vehicle for which the agency provides mileage as funded by the Law Foundation.

Professional and Legal:

· Adheres to the constitution, philosophy, policies, and procedures of the Society’s legal and contractual obligations.

· Participates in personal professional development through activities such as workshops, conferences, and training through the Law Foundation as required.

Accountability:

· Reports to the Program Director

· The Poverty Law Advocate also receives supervision from the Supervising Lawyer and is responsible for preparing reporting for the Law Foundation of British Columbia

Qualifications:

· Completion of post secondary in legal studies. Criminology degree would be a benefit.

· Management experience

· Experience appearing before administrative tribunals or court.

· Experience with legal writing, legal research, and interpretation of statutes.

· Knowledge around the tenancy act

· Self motivated with the ability to run an organized caseload.

· Skilled in the use of computer technology including e-filing and presentation software.

· Skilled at exercising good judgement and the ability to negotiate and mediate on behalf of clients with government agencies and landlords.

· Knowledge of local community resources and an awareness and understanding of social services.

· Communicate professionally in written, oral, and electronic.

· Have a strong sense of social justice and a resilient desire to assist and improve the lives of marginalized people.

CWAVS is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from BIPOC individuals, persons with disabilities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. All individuals who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across all levels of power are invited to apply.

To apply for this role, please send your cover letter (mandatory)and resume (mandatory) to Sally Beal, Office and HR Coordinator at cwav@cwav.org Please include your name and "Coordinator" in the subject line. We sincerely thank you for your interest in this opportunity and will only contact those under consideration for the role. Please ensure a current telephone number is provided

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: $29.00-$31.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 – 35 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Vision care

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Duncan, BC (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-02-27
Expected start date: 2024-03-11