Legal Advocate

at  First United

FULL-TIME AND/OR PART-TIME EFFECTIVE JUNE 2024

First United is a social service agency working in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver supporting vulnerable community members struggling with issues such as poverty, addiction and mental health. If you are seeking work in the social services area and interested in working and supporting the community on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, this is the purpose filled work for you.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Legal Advocate (Full-Time and/or Part-Time)
DEPARTMENT: Advocacy
REPORTS TO: Advocacy Manager
DATE: June 2024 (2-3 months with possibility of extension)
Starting Wage: $35.92
Each job within the First United Church Community Ministry Society should promote our accomplishment of our vision, mission, and values.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Provide advocacy assistance and representation to the Downtown Eastside community and others on a variety of issues generally encountered by low-income individuals and families.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Up-to-date computer skills with Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of the difficulties encountered by people living in the Downtown Eastside is an asset.
• Knowledge of statutes such as Residential Tenancy and Employment and Assistance Acts.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Law Degree or depending upon experience, a university undergraduate degree, para-legal training diploma or continuing education training in poverty law.
• Up to one year experience would be an asset.

• Provide one-to-one advocacy services including referrals, information, summary advice and/or full representation regarding the following legal issues: Welfare (including disability), tenancy, employment insurance, WCB, Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan (including CPP Disability), immigration, debt, employment-related issues (e.g. employment standards), human rights and other similar matters.
• Assist with forms (facilitating access to benefits): old age security, victim assistance, birth certificate applications, guaranteed income supplement, etc.
• Connect clients to appropriate resources within our cultivated network of service providers and legal aid as required if we are unable to assist them
• Provide full representation at hearings, written submission of appeals and reconsideration of decision, written and spoken interventions at an administrative level with a number of government programs, interviews and investigations and basic assistance with a wide variety of applications.
• Contact numerous government agencies, social service agencies, housing providers, other community legal assistance organizations and individual lawyers in particular
• Assist in the delivery of public legal education workshops where appropriate.
• Engage in research that is directly related to the casework.
• Participate in weekly case review conferencing with other First United advocates
• Meet monthly and quarterly reporting requirements for Law Foundation or First United
• Engage in monthly legal supervision and file review (Law Foundation-funded advocates only)