Intake Legal Assistant, Casual B001-25

Friday, April 11, 2025

LEGAL AID BC

POSTING

TO: LABC STAFF (cc: BCGEU)

FROM: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

POSITION: INTAKE LEGAL ASSISTANT – CASUAL to March 31, 2026

VANCOUVER

COMPETITION NO: B001-25

DATE POSTED: APRIL 11, 2025

CLOSING DATE: ON-GOING

STARTING DATE: ASAP

SALARY: Job Class 10 ($31.23 - $35.63 hourly)

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, on an as-needed basis

This position is not on the modified workweek

Legal Aid BC is committed to a transformative journey to embedding Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all aspects of our work. We seek talent from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis descent, persons with diverse abilities, gender diverse, racialized, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We care deeply about the culture we are building and are looking for staff members who excel in their respective areas and are passionate about supporting the people we serve. All interested and eligible applicants will be considered with due consideration to all protected grounds under the BC Human Rights Code.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

To provide front-line contact and intake services to the public, provide legal information, verified legal advice, assess eligibility for legal aid, and may provide legal administrative support to the department. This will include performing intake services through the Call Centre, at Courthouses, lock-up, and other offsite locations where Legal Aid BC (LABC) services are offered.

DUTIES:

PROVIDE INTAKE SERVICES:

• Provide an empathetic, non-judgemental, open-minded and person-centered approach aimed at building trust with clients in order to identify legal issues and urgency;
• Practice active listening, non-violent communication, and de-escalation techniques to achieve communication with clients facing barriers to service;
• Use a trauma-informed approach to complete client intake by obtaining client information;
• Interview clients in person and by phone to analyze and identify client’s legal issue(s);
• Identify client’s needs and decide on course of action, including completion of intake application;
• Determine coverage and assess eligibility for legal aid based on legal aid coverage policies;
• Explain LABC coverage and financial eligibility criteria;
• Keep current with changes to policies affecting clients’ eligibility;
• Communicate decisions on legal aid applications and provide rationale for decisions;
• Refer complex applications to supervisor;

ISSUE LEGAL AID CONTRACTS TO PRIVATE BAR LAWYERS AND STAFF:

• Appoint duty counsel in local courts;
• Conduct lawyer searches and facilitate warm hand-offs for clients;
• Contact lawyers to arrange representation for clients;
• Respond to follow-up requests regarding duty counsel and contracts.

PERFORM DUTIES RELATING TO CLIENT CASE FILES:

• Review and analyze court and financial documents to determine clients’ eligibility;
• Enter client and case information into the client information system;
• Ensure information is entered accurately;
• Open, maintain and close case files;
• Draft routine correspondence and legal documents;
• Maintain bring forward system and limitation diary;

QUALIFICATIONS:

Basic requirements:

• Grade 12 education supplemented by courses in Law, Criminology, Sociology, or related discipline;
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience;
• MS Word – Basic Level;
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Rated requirements:

• Knowledge of court and tribunal procedures;
• Knowledge of community resources and social services agencies;
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of people including those with low incomes or disabilities;
• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Must be discreet and able to manage confidential information.

This competition may require skills testing based on the qualifications for this position such as:

• Typing
• Microsoft 365 (Office Suite) – Word, Outlook

Employment is conditional upon completing and obtaining clearance from the following:

• Criminal Record Check (CRC)
• Security clearance check by BC Corrections

We offer:

• Four weeks paid vacation to start;
• An excellent employee benefits package;
• Support for training and development;
• An Employee and Family Assistance program;
• Generous leave provisions;
• 13 paid statutory holidays;
• Transit friendly employer for eligible staff;
• Dedicated Cultural Leave provisions for Indigenous employees;

We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted.