Summary
Description
THE ROLE
This is a twelve (12) month maternity leave contract, with the possibility for continuation. Reporting to the Managing Counsel, and working in collaboration with the program lawyers and legal assistant, the Advocate is a skilled community liaison who identifies resources to support program clients, builds and maintains organizational relationships, and connects individuals to community support that can address their social needs including family violence supports, shelter/housing, child care, income support, health, and others. As a part of the community building role, the Advocate will also give presentations to community organizations. The successful candidate will have experience working directly with vulnerable and marginalized people, and with community engagement or public education. CLG is a poverty law office, and our priority is serving clients with low income who are seeking or receiving legal services. Our services use trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strength-based practices and approaches to meet the diverse needs of individuals accessing support.
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Work with Family Law Program team members to deliver client-led, client-centered, and trauma responsive legal services to diverse individuals, often facing family violence. The program Advocate will:
- Identify community organizations able to support clients with non-legal needs. Create and maintain robust, knowledgeable relationships with those organizations.
- Work with FLP staff and clients to identify community services that will meet clients’ unique needs and liaise with organizations for facilitated referrals where possible.
- The Advocate will engage in client-led and strengths-based processes to support clients with non-legal needs, in order to increase clients’ readiness and confidence to self-advocate in their legal matters.
- Provide public information and education sessions, which may include system navigation, basic family law legal information, and information about the FLP program.
- Communicate with other programs to ensure inter‐program collaboration.
- Demonstrate a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation by collaborating with CLG’s Indigenous Aspommtapi (“Helper”), providing culturally safe support to Indigenous clients eligible for services with the FLP.
- Maintain digital client files, track activities, and collect program data accurately and consistently.
- Be committed to judgment-free, client-led and strengths-based services, and to trauma-responsive practice, including low-impact debriefing, shared wellness strategies, and a collaborative mindset.
THE CANDIDATE
The preferred candidate possesses the following skills, experience and qualifications:
- Successful completion of a Diploma or Degree in a related field: Social Work, Human Services, Community Support, or Justice.
- Minimum of 3 years related work experience working with families experiencing poverty, family/intimate partner/gender violence, or other forms of trauma or systemic marginalization.
- Demonstrated resourcefulness and strong working knowledge of community resources related to supporting families
- Excellent written and oral communication, with an outgoing and friendly demeanor and capacity to communicate clearly in-person, virtually, and over the telephone.
- Strong professional boundaries and commitment to confidentiality within the context of collaborative case management practice
- Exceptional self-awareness with well-developed interpersonal, conflict resolution, and negotiating skills including the ability to engage with participants who have complex needs and may present in times of crisis.
- Ability to work independently and with team members
- Proven commitment to delivering high-quality participant service
- Capability to engage with a variety of stakeholders
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care practices, crisis intervention, and de-escalation
- Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively
