LEGAL AID BC
POSTING
TO: LABC STAFF (cc: BCGEU)
FROM: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
POSITION: LEGAL AID NAVIGATOR II
ONE REGULAR FULL-TIME POSITION – VANCOUVER
COMPETITION NO: B046-25
DATE POSTED: NOVEMBER 20, 2025
CLOSING DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2025
STARTING DATE: ASAP
SALARY: Job Class 15 ($65,212 - $74,479)
HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
This position is not on the modified workweek.
Legal Aid BC is in the early stages of, and committed to a transformative journey to embedding Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all aspects of our work. We seek talent from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis descent, persons with diverse abilities, gender diverse, racialized, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community be a part of this exciting stage of Legal Aid BC’s growth. We care deeply about the culture we are building and are looking for staff members who not only excel in their respective areas but are also passionate about supporting the people we serve and each other. If this resonates with you, we encourage you to apply. All interested and eligible applicants will be considered with due consideration to all protected grounds under the BC Human Rights Code. If we can do anything to make your application experience a positive and equitable one, we want to hear from you on what we can do better.
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
To provide enhanced, client-specific on-going support for Legal Aid Clients with complex, multidisciplinary or intersecting legal needs who are facing difficulty navigating their legal issues while facing social barriers. This position works in collaboration with duty counsel, tariff lawyers and other justice system stakeholders to help people who require support with a range of issues such as disability, addiction, under-employment, family complications, housing instability, mental illness, trauma, marginalization or other significant challenges in navigating or accessing the courts or criminal justice system.
The following job duties are illustrative examples and shall not be construed as an exhaustive description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.
VALUES STATEMENT:
Our commitment to the principles of fundamental justice embedded in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and to Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is ambitious and foundational. It informs everything we do, as we defend liberty, equality, autonomy, and dignity; as we dismantle colonization, racism, sexism, transphobia and homophobia, and all discrimination. These are our values, and they inform our hiring practices too. Our business is aiding people in severe legal distress and necessitates internal and external alignment of practicing these values. Integrating Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion throughout every aspect of Legal Aid BC is critical to building that culture, and we prioritize ongoing resources to achieve that goal.
DUTIES:
PROVIDE NEEDS AND WANTS BASED GUIDANCE TO APPROVED LEGAL AID CLIENTS
Provide an empathetic, non-judgemental, open-minded and person-centred approach aimed at building trust and a long-term relationship with clients in order to identify legal problem(s) and urgency, meeting them where they are at.
Practice active listening, non-violent communication, non-violent crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques in order to achieve productive communication and information sharing with clients facing barriers to service through a lens of Truth & Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion;
Meet with the client, often in community settings, to assess their needs and prioritize actions;
Meet and / or communicate with assigned legal counsel to assess areas for support and prioritization;
Obtain written consent forms from client for requesting information sharing from other engaged resources and agencies;
Review currently available information for Intake, legal counsel and other agencies to identify gaps; and,
Create an adaptable Client Plan considering social, economic, cognitive, and behavioural limitations of client to achieve better outcomes.
CLIENT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
Maintain a caseload of clients as assigned by the Supervisor, Legal Aid Navigators or designate;
Document Client Plan including: key milestones identified and pursued, status of resources and service applications, and all communications with external social support resources;
Evaluate client viability on an on-going basis, including during the client hand-off period;
Develop a hand-off plan for clients following the conclusion of their legal matter;
Maintain client and hand-off service provider contact information in a centralized database;
Collect information from clients and lawyers on program effectiveness and opportunities for improvement; and
Participate in program working groups as required in conjunction with other Legal Aid BC departments to evaluate program effectiveness and identify actionable opportunities.
LEGAL NAVIGATION
Actively assist case-load clients in navigating the court process;
Provide pertinent legal information, resources and / or referrals;
Assist case-load clients in completing relevant paperwork and gathering required documentation;
Assist duty counsel and defence counsel in preparation of release plans tailored to client’s needs;
Assist case-load clients possessing diminished capacity to identify, evaluate and use legal information resources to resolve legal matters;
Provide active follow-ups and reminders to ensure clients are aware of and ready for upcoming legal activities or events;
Contact client and attend in-person, as assigned by Supervisor, Legal Aid Navigators or their designate, at case-load client’s legal events including court and hearing dates, on a case-by-case basis; and
Reduce the burden of non-legal activities on lawyer and legal services team by providing in-scope services on an ad-hoc basis.
SOCIAL NAVIGATION
Assist with requests from duty counsel/lawyers to address related social issues such as addictions, mental health support, housing, income assistance, and other non-legal issues;
Help clients navigate available social supports, providing information, resources and / or referrals;
Guide clients in the submission of applications, follow-ups and confirmation of social services, including completing relevant paperwork and gathering required documents;
Provide active follow-ups and reminders to ensure clients are aware and ready for upcoming social support activities or events;
Contact client and attend in-person, as assigned by Supervisor, Legal Aid Navigators or their designate, at case-load client’s non-legal events including appointment accompaniment, on a case-by-case basis;
Provide a warm hand-off, when and where available, to ongoing social services during and/or after client’s legal matter and attempt to mediate where there are service-bars in place; and,
Be flexible and help clients with providing basic personal care items, where possible, as needed.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Leverage available resources in community to support Clients in navigating their legal and social needs;
Share experiences and opportunities for learning with other internal and external navigator networks;
Develop and maintain a list of viable social services in the relevant community;
Develop and maintain strong relationships with community and government agencies to identify opportunities for potential partnership and support networks;
Attend various meetings and functions in the community;
Collect and communicate feedback about LABC services and resources to supervisor; and
Network and outreach to communities, based on community needs.
PROVIDE INTAKE SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS
Explain LABC coverage and financial eligibility criteria;
Facilitate Legal Aid applications which may include helping clients gather and submit paperwork required by Intake, working with internal stakeholders to ensure complete applications;
Assist newly arrested accused who are making first bail appearance to identify existing legal counsel or begin intake paperwork for potentially eligible clientele; and,
Support to out-of-custody duty counsel and accused who are making appearances in local Initial Appearance Courts;
PERFORM OTHER RELATED DUTIES:
Identify where there are gaps and provide suggestions to supervisor;
Respond to urgent and emergent situations as needed and engage emergency services as appropriate;
Assist supervisor in orienting new or casual staff; and
Other related duties, as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Basic requirements
Grade 12 education supplemented by post-secondary certificate (or higher) in Law, Communications, Education, Criminology, Sociology, or other related disciplines
Minimum 3 years relevant experience as outlined in rated requirements
Proficient in basic legal research and Internet research
Minimum typing speed 35wpm
Basic skill in Microsoft Office Suite
Understanding of confidentiality and discretion
Sound judgment and decision-making skills
OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
Rated requirements
Extensive knowledge of criminal, family, immigration, civil, poverty, and administrative legal proceedings that affect people with low income
Extensive knowledge of community groups, legal and community resources and other social services agencies and how to access them locally
Ability to practice cultural competency using principles of Truth & Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Knowledge of LABC policies and procedures considered an asset
Ability to work effectively and build relationships with a wide range of people including justice system personnel and service providers, community agencies, and key stakeholders
Strong desire and ability to assist disadvantaged people including those with low incomes, physical/emotional disabilities, addictions, limited literacy, or with multiple barriers
Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information including obtaining consent for sharing
Ability to recognize, de-escalate and diffuse stressful or escalated situations and deal with people in a sensitive and respectful manner
Ability to work independently, take initiative and function as part of a team
Ability to make presentations to groups and to coach individuals in a way that is easy for them to understand
Ability to multi-task, prioritize and manage multiple deadlines
Must be comfortable on the web and willing to learn or adapt to new programs
Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal or bureaucratic concepts in plain language for people with limited literacy
Must be familiar with general software applications (MS Word, Outlook, Internet, MS SharePoint)
Second language an asset
Demonstrated awareness of community’s diversity
Experience in working and understanding Indigenous, immigrant and marginalized communities
This competition may require skills testing based on the qualifications for this position such as:
Microsoft 365 (Office Suite) – Word
Typing
Written Assessment
Employment is conditional upon completing and obtaining clearance from the following:
Criminal Record Check (CRC) in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act
Security clearance check by BC Corrections including a Canadian Police Information Computer (CPIC) system check
We offer (based on your employment status and affiliation):
Four weeks paid vacation to start that grows the longer you are with LABC
An excellent employee benefits package, where premiums are 100% paid by LABC
A generous defined benefit pension plan
Support for training and development
An Employee and Family Assistance program
The opportunity to participate in various Employee programs (Employee Wellness, etc.)
Support for a healthy work/life balance
Generous leave provisions (sick time, special leaves)
13 paid statutory holidays
An opportunity for a flexible hybrid work arrangement for some positions (LABC reserves the right to change this policy at any time)
Transit friendly employer for eligible staff to have their commute subsidized
Dog-friendly offices
Dedicated Cultural Leave provisions for Indigenous employees
An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council, and Indigenous employees Council and Accessibility Committee of employees from equity-seeking groups that advises on ongoing improvements and investments in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at our workplace
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.legalaid.bc.ca
We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted.
