1084 PFT Legal Counsel

at  York Region Childrens Aid Society

LEGAL COUNSEL

The York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect. As a leader within the child welfare sector, we partner with parents, caregivers, and community to provide a safe environment for children and youth, through equitable, culturally aligned services.
Comprised of interdisciplinary teams of diverse professionals who push boundaries in support of family centered care, we engage with children and families for a stronger, healthier community within the York Region.
YRCAS is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within their role, generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission and goal to create a healthy workplace and community where children youth and families thrive.
To support us on our journey, YRCAS is looking for a Legal Counsel to support our Legal Services.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Law Degree and membership in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience representing children and parents in child welfare and family law matters.
• Bilingualism in French would be an asset.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• A demonstrated understanding of the impact of colonialism on child welfare in Ontario and a demonstrated understanding and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonizing child welfare practices.
• Excellent knowledge of case preparation, presentation and litigation techniques and alternative dispute resolution strategies.
• Advanced knowledge of legislation governing and impacting child welfare in Ontario.
• Basic knowledge of relevant York Region Children’s Aid Society industry computer applications such as adobe pro, word, excel etc.
• Knowledge in CPIN is considered an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in the application of related legal theory and practice.
• A passionate lifelong learner.
• Flexible, adaptable, and responsive to change.
• Computer competence and literacy.
• Excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills providing constructive, meaningful, and timely interaction with all levels of staff.
• Ability to think analytically with attention to detail in the presence of frequent interruptions.
• Ability to make sound judgment and provide legal advice, often in crisis or emergency situations.
• Solid understanding and commitment to the agency’s core values, quality service and best practice.
• Accountable for own actions and decisions, making decisions within the scope of the position and referring issues/problems/events to Senior Counsel as required.
• Ability to deal with highly sensitive and personal information in a confidential manner.
• Advanced ability to analyze information, problem-solve and make solid recommendations.
• Self-directed with an excellent ability to organize, plan, prioritize and multi-task.
• Acts with integrity, trustworthiness, humility, transparency, and compassion.
• Demonstrates critical thinking.
• Excellent ability to work with and meet tight, critical timelines.
  PAY GRADE: Non-Union Pay Grade 8 ($102,511.15- $130,034.23)
  HOURS OF WORK 33.75 hours per week
  Candidates who meet the qualifications are welcome to apply by no later than May 16, 2024 at 11:59PM.
  Internal Applicants: Please apply for this opportunity using your Agency ADP account.
  External Applicants: Apply here: yorkcas.org/careers
  We appreciate all applications received. All communications will be held in strict and professional confidence. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their submissions.
  Employment at York Region Children’s Aid Society is conditional upon the verification of credentials, a satisfactory vulnerable sector check, and a class “G” driver’s license with daily access to an insured vehicle. York Region Children’s Aid Society works in a hybrid virtual and on-site working environment.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

York Region Children’s Aid Society is committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment practices is a key aspect of the search process. The current posting is in search of candidates who identified from the following equity seeking groups; women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. If you are of the aforementioned identities, and feel comfortable making it known, you may choose to self-identify as member of a designated group. Any information directly related to you is kept confidential and used in a safe manner to inform our recruitment process towards being an equal opportunity employer.

As a member of our legal team, you will be responsible for delivering legal services as a trusted legal advisor, integrated in the fabric of the organization. You will be responsible for ensuring that services are delivered in keeping with our mandate under the Child Youth and Family Services Act as well as our responsibilities under An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families. This includes but is not limited to responsibility for all court-related activities regarding child protection matters by preparing pleadings, court attendance including interim hearings, trials and appeals. You will be responsible for assisting our child protection workers in all legal aspects of their cases, whether they involve court activity or not. As a trusted legal advisor, you will be expected to provide legal support to staff on all agency-wide issues.