The Public Legal Information Association of NL (PLIAN) is seeking to hire two dynamic, experienced, and independent individuals to join our team in one of two Access to Justice Coordinator positions based in our St. John’s office.
Reporting directly to PLIAN’s Executive Director, the Coordinators will take on a wide range of responsibilities involving the provision of legal information and education services to people throughout the province and the promotion of access to justice for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Position Responsibilities:
The Access to Justice Coordinators will be primarily responsible for responding to legal information inquiries and requests for lawyer referrals by phone, email, and in person as part of PLIAN’s Legal Information Line and Lawyer Referral Service.
The Access to Justice Coordinators will also be responsible for:
– Researching, writing, and editing plain language legal information materials on a variety of legal topics and facilitating the translation of legal information materials;
– Developing and delivering plain language legal presentations on a variety of legal topics, both virtually and in person at locations throughout the province;
– Supporting the work of PLIAN’s Newcomers Legal Rights project, including developing legal education and information materials aimed at newcomers throughout the province, facilitating translation of materials, delivering presentations in person and virtually, and conducting outreach with organizations serving and supporting newcomers in the province;
– Conducting outreach with community organizations, schools, seniors’ clubs, municipalities, and other key stakeholders to promote and organize legal presentations;
– Facilitating pro bono legal clinics in locations throughout the province, including taking responsibility for the recruitment of lawyers, advertising, intake of participants, and necessary record-keeping and organization;
– Contributing to PLIAN’s website and social media accounts, including organizing and posting electronic versions of publications and posting on Twitter and Facebook about PLIAN services, materials, and events;
– Organizing and facilitating regular meetings of the Access to Justice Steering Committee for Newfoundland and Labrador, including sending communications to committee members, creating meeting agendas, and recording and distributing meeting minutes;
– Working in partnership with the staff of PLIAN and the Journey Project to support other ongoing projects and services;
– Other duties as required and assigned by PLIAN’s Executive Director and Director of Operations.
Frequent travel throughout Newfoundland and Labrador is expected and will be a significant part of this position. The Access to Justice Coordinators will be expected to work in close partnership with PLIAN’s Access to Justice Coordinator for Labrador (based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay) and other staff in PLIAN’s Labrador Office to help facilitate access to justice initiatives in Labrador.
Preferred Qualifications:
– Experience in and knowledge of the legal system, including Canadian and Newfoundland and Labrador laws and procedures; experience and knowledge may be gained through legal education and work as a practicing lawyer, or from other experience working in connection to the legal system and/or legal issues;
– Experience working directly with the public to answer inquiries and deliver presentations, workshops, or other public events;
– The ability to provide information to clients and deliver presentations in both of Canada’s official languages;
– Experience working with the Microsoft Office suite of products, with basic website content management systems (particularly WordPress), and experience developing presentations or materials on Canva and/or Powerpoint.
Position Details:
Compensation will be based on an annual salary of $58,500. There is also entitlement to an excellent package of health and dental insurance coverage, a regular RRSP contribution, and a generous and flexible leave package.
Both positions are, in part, maternity leave replacements and will involve an initial one-year contract expected to commence in September, 2022 and continue until September, 2023. Both positions will be re-evaluated before the end of the contract term and extension is a possibility if funding is available.
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for two references to director@publiclegalinfo.com by 4 PM on Friday, September 2.
Due to the anticipated high number of applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted in early September, shortly after Labour Day.
PLIAN is an equal opportunity employer and values creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.