Legal Counsel

Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services; Greater Sudbury; On-site; CAD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A local child welfare agency is seeking a Legal Counsel in Sudbury, ON. The role involves providing legal services and consultation regarding child welfare and family law. Candidates must have a post-graduate degree in Law and significant experience in the field. This agency values Anishinaabe culture and encourages related candidates to apply. A strong salary range of $105,139.06 - $129,307.12 is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years practice experience in child welfare and family law.
• Supervisory experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services and consult on legislation application and interpretation.

Education

Post‑graduate degree in Law (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office – Excel

Microsoft Office – Word

Frontline

Penlieu

Job description

LOCATION: SUDBURY, ON

Candidates must live within service area.

Cover letter needed with resume.

Applicants are encouraged to visit our website at www.kgcfs.org/employment to review the job description.

Include in your application a cover letter, resume, and three reference letters – two employment related from recent employers. Also detail education, employment experience, and cultural participation.

KGCFS is a designated Children’s Aid Society delivering Child Protection Services within seven member First Nations in the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin. KGCFS honours and supports our families’ and community’s inherent authority to care for their children based on unity, traditions, values, belief, and customs. Preference will be given to Anishinaabe Candidates, please self-identify in your application.

Salary Range: $105,139.06 - $129,307.12

Overview

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the incumbent is responsible for providing legal services and consultation to Society staff on the application and interpretation of the CYFSA and all other relevant legislation.

Qualifications

• Post‑graduate degree in Law (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada.
• Minimum of three years practice experience in child welfare and family law, including trial experience. Supervisory experience an asset.

Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities

• Proven knowledge of First Nation communities standards legislation, regulations, and Ministry standards (e.g. the CYFSA, the Family Law Rules, Ontario Courts of Justice Act) and other relevant federal and provincial legislation.
• Good understanding of the agency's values, service philosophy and objectives.
• Knowledge of social work theories, principles, and practices.
• Clinical knowledge of child maltreatment, child development, attachment and separation, and family dynamics.
• Solid leadership skills and highly developed organizational, research, negotiation, critical thinking, analytical, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to mediate and negotiate effectively from an interest‑based principled perspective.
• Outstanding litigation skills and experience handling consent and litigation matters.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving, planning, priority‑setting, and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated presentation skills to represent the society in the community and legal proceedings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles and skill in providing training.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast‑paced work environment and to deal with stressful situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a vulnerable population that includes clients dealing with mental health, addiction and poverty issues.
• Knowledge and proficient competence of computer software (e.g. Microsoft Office – Excel, Word and Frontline and Penlieu).

Work Environment

• Given the traditional practices of the Anishinabek, from time‑to‑time exposure to wood smoke and the burning of sacred medicines, including tobacco, sweet grass, sage, or cedar, may occur within the work setting.
• Candidates must live within service area.

Applications

Applications are accepted and in the following order of preference: by email, mail, or website at:
Human Resources – Confidential.

LEGAL COUNSEL
Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services.
98 Pottawatomi Avenue.
Wikwemikong, Ontario, P0P 2J0.
Email: [e-mail].

KGCFS is committed to providing a barrier‑free work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in the recruitment process. Miigwetch for your application; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to submit the following: satisfactory Criminal Reference Check (within 3 months of application date), Vulnerable Sector Check and Driver’s Abstract.