Staff Lawyer

The Staff Lawyer is part of the YWCA Legal Education team, providing summary advice and full representation to YWCA clients where the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a delegated Aboriginal agency has apprehended or appear to be going to apprehend their child, or where there are contact or access issues related to a child in foster care. The Staff Lawyer has the opportunity to participate in and contribute to broader systemic change through legal education, advocacy, and media engagement.

What you’ll be doing:

Summary Advice – having regular drop in days at YWCA Crabtree Corner in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, to meet with YWCA clients to provide summary advice on family law issues;

Full Representation to a small number YWCA clients in child protection cases;

Creation and delivery of advocacy and education materials in collaboration with the Legal Education team, including a monthly workshop;

Supervising the Paralegal including hiring, onboarding, managing timesheets/vacation requests, having regular one to one meetings, and annual performance reviews;

Public speaking on family law issues; and

Other duties as required

What you’ll need:

Minimum educational requirement: Law Degree and training on Indigenous intercultural competency;

Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills;

Good time management skills and attention to detail;

A strong understanding of the impacts of colonialism and of the impacts of child protection laws on indigenous culture and indigenous family life;

An intersectional feminist understanding of intimate partner violence;

An interest in a trauma informed approach to the practice of law;

Motivated to work independently and as part of a team;

Proficient with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Zoom;

Experience using Clio an asset;

Willingness to use Safetyline, Relias, ADP Workforce Now;

A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.

The YWCA Metro Vancouver’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination from COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the YWCA deem it necessary to reintroduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

What we offer: We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total compensation package:

Extended medical and dental benefits

Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions

Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members

Free staff membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel and priority in YWCA Child Care centres

Pay Rate: $43.48

A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees who help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.

How to Apply

This is an exciting time for the YWCA. Join us and be part of an inclusive, dedicated and impactful workplace! Candidates are invited to send cover letters and resumes by June 17, 2024 to:

Lisa Rupert, VP Housing Services and Violence Prevention

We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview processes are accessible to all applicants; if you require accommodations in submitting your application, or have other questions, please contact the hiring manager as listed. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, transferrable skills, lived experience, and business need. We thank all who apply, but only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about this and other YWCA Metro Vancouver career opportunities, please visit ywcavan.org.