We are seeking a Director of Legal Services
Community Legal Services of Ottawa / Services juridiques communautaires d’Ottawa is a community legal clinic, funded by Legal Aid Ontario. We provide legal services for the low-income residents of Ottawa, as well as community development, law reform, legal education and outreach initiatives.
We are seeking a Director of Legal Services to supervise one of Community Legal Services of Ottawa’s (“CLSO”) three offices. Their main supervisory responsibilities include managing the daily operations of the office where they are located; supervising staff members at that office; assisting with the hiring of CLSO staff members; assisting in the coordination of service delivery between CLSO’s three main offices; and assisting with the overall management of the legal clinic.
Most of the Director of Legal Services’ time is spent delivering legal clinic services to the public, by providing legal advice to clients, representing clients in legal proceedings, and delivering public legal education events and other community initiatives.
The Director of Legal Services reports to CLSO’s Executive Director (ED).
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Legal Services’ management responsibilities include:
1. Overseeing the daily operations of their office.
2. Participating in the hiring and training of CLSO staff members.
3. Supervising and evaluating staff members on all aspects of their work, including community initiatives.
4. Assisting in the supervision and evaluation of CLSO staff members in other offices as requested by the ED.
5. As needed, directing the distribution of work among staff members.
6. Ensuring staff members are informed about and comply with CLSO policies and practices.
7. Assisting in the coordination of service delivery between CLSO’s offices and in the overall management of the legal clinic as requested.
8. Assisting with CLSO funding applications, the development of CLSO priorities and projects, and the production of reports to the Board of Directors and CLSO funders.
9. Occasionally attending meetings of the Board of Directors, on request.
10. Represent CLSO at external events, on request of the ED.
11. If the ED is unavailable or absent for an extended period of time, ensuring in consultation with other CLSO managers that the ED’s responsibilities are carried out.
12. Fulfilling other management and administrative responsibilities as may be required.
CASEWORK RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Providing legal advice and services to clients and staff members of agencies serving similar populations.
2. Providing high-quality representation to clients in legal proceedings, including: interviewing clients and being retained; advising clients and explaining options for appropriate courses of action; taking instructions appropriately; developing arguments; preparing all documents and submissions; negotiating on clients’ behalf; preparing for hearings; and all other work required to represent clients.
3. Prioritizing caseload to ensure clients are properly represented.
4. Representing clients on court and tribunal appeals.
5. Offering casework advice and direction to other CLSO staff members.
6. Using and monitoring the use of CLSO’s tickler system.
7. Maintaining and updating knowledge in areas of practice and obtaining regular training.
8. Initiate and develop strategies for test cases.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Developing and maintaining contacts with community-based agencies and groups.
2. Providing public legal education workshops and materials, community development activities, law reform activities and legal supports to clients by:
♦ participating in clinic outreach programs
♦ producing materials for public legal education activities
♦ participating in the work of partner organizations
♦ producing briefs and other law reform documents
STAFF TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Being available to CLSO staff members for case consultations.
2. Providing training to staff members, students and volunteers.
3. Participating in internal and external training events.
4. Participating in inter-clinic study groups and clinic system training events.
5. Organizing regional training events from time to time in conjunction with other CLSO managers.
OTHER DUTIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS
1. Complying with CLSO policies.
2. Performing other functions and responsibilities as may be required.
3. The work involves deadlines and unpredictable priority changes causing time pressures on a daily basis. The work pace also cannot be controlled or predicted and frequently involves interruptions during the workday. Extended work hours resulting from deadlines and other work pressures may be required, including some evening and weekend work. The work also involves exposure to emotionally charged situations, including providing assistance to vulnerable clients facing legal crises.
Application Deadline: Monday, September 26 at 5:00 P.M.
This is a full-time position. The salary range is $94,000 – $104,000, commensurate with experience. Our compensation package includes generous health benefits and pension plans.
Please send a cover letter and resumé by email to clarisse.titus@clso.clcj.ca:
Clarisse Titus, Executive Director
Community Legal Services of Ottawa / Services juridiques communautaires d’Ottawa
406-1355 Bank Street,
Ottawa, ON K1H 8K7
We welcome applications from members of racialized communities, people with disabilities and other historically disadvantaged groups. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We will provide accommodation during the hiring process upon request and all information is treated confidentially.
We thank all applicants but we will only contact candidates selected for an interview.