Legal Counsel

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

Job summary

A Child Protection Agency in Sudbury, ON, is looking for a Legal Counsel to provide legal services and consultation on child welfare legislation. The successful candidate must hold a post-graduate degree in Law and be a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, with a minimum of three years of relevant practice experience. Strong leadership and outstanding litigation skills are essential. This position emphasizes support for families and community involvement, with a preference for Anishinaabe applicants.

Qualifications

• Must be a member in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada.
• Minimum of three (3) years practice experience in child welfare and family law.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services and consultation to Society staff on legislation interpretation.

Skills

Knowledge of First Nation communities standards legislation

Leadership skills

Outstanding litigation skills

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Ability to mediate and negotiate

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)

Job description

LOCATION: SUDBURY, ON

CANDIDATES MUST LIVE WITHIN SERVICE AREA OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE

COVER LETTER NEEDS TO BE SENT 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 (3) three reference letters – two (2) employment‑related from recent employers. Please also detail in your application: 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 (3) 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., CYFSA, 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 which includes working with clients who are 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 or be willing to relocate.

Applications are accepted and in the following order of preference: by email, mail, or website at:

Human Resources – Confidential.

LEGAL COUNSEL
Kidana 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.

About Kina Gbezhgomi Child And Family Services

On April 1, 2012 Kina Gbezhgomi Child And Family Services transferred the direct service delivery and management of the prevention services inclusive of family and community support services to the First Nations. Each of the First Nations and Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services has a Contribution Agreement outlining the roles and responsibilities of the agency and First Nation in this collaborative partnership inclusive of agency support and training, funding arrangements, service and financial reporting. Kina Gbezhgomi Child And Family Services completed this process as a transition phase to a fully integrated child welfare model in preparation for designation as a child welfare agency, and also to reflect the membership requests in relation to First Nation community‑based delivery of prevention services. VISION: Kina Gbezhgomi Child And Family Services will honour and support our families’ and community’s inherent authority to care for their children based on unity, traditions, values, beliefs and customs. MISSION: Our services ensure children are protected and stay connected with their culture, language and community while strengthening family and community relationships.