Summary
The Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PLIAN) is seeking a dynamic, independent, culturally-informed person to join our team in Labrador in the position of Legal Information and Support Coordinator.
The Legal Information and Support Coordinator will be working closely with our Access to Justice Coordinator and with key partners and stakeholders throughout the region to support the legal needs of individuals and communities in all parts of Labrador.
Based in our Labrador office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the successful candidate will be expected to travel regularly to all regions of Labrador to facilitate regular legal clinics, deliver presentations and workshops on a wide range of legal issues, and meet with Indigenous governments, community organizations, municipalities, and other groups to share information and better understand the legal needs of people in Labrador.
Duties
· Establish and maintain positive, culturally-informed relationships with Indigenous governments and communities in the Labrador region;
· Establish and maintain positive, culturally-informed relationships with legal and community stakeholders in the Labrador region;
· Work with PLIAN’s Access to Justice Coordinator for Labrador to respond to inquiries from the public through PLIAN’s Legal Information Line and Lawyer Referral Service;
· Recruit lawyers for PLIAN’s Lawyer Referral Service and promote the Legal Information Line and Lawyer Referral Service throughout the region;
· Organize and facilitate regular legal clinics throughout Labrador that enable the provision of free summary legal advice for participants on a range of legal issues. Tasks will include the recruitment of lawyers for the clinics, promotion of clinics, booking locations, record-keeping, management of invoicing for participating lawyers, and other tasks required to carry out regular legal clinics;
· Develop plain language legal education and information materials, including publications, presentations, trainings, and workshops on various legal issues and topics as determined through feedback and consultation from individuals and from key stakeholders and partners;
· Facilitate the translation of legal education and information materials into Innu-aimun (Mushuau and Sheshatshiu dialects), Inuttitut, and other languages where appropriate and where funding allows;
· Travel frequently to all regions of Labrador to conduct outreach, meet stakeholders, and hold legal education and information sessions, presentations, trainings, legal clinics, service provider training, and other events.
· Coordinate with other PLIAN staff to raise awareness of and support PLIAN core services and projects, including but not limited to PLIAN’s Legal Information Line and Lawyer Referral Service, The Journey Project, the Legal Information for Newcomers project, and other province-wide projects and services.
· Regularly meet with PLIAN’s Executive Director by phone, email, and in person for updates on workplan, relationship building with stakeholders, problems or concerns, and any other issues relevant to the project.
· Assist in seeking out additional funding sources and preparing funding proposals in support of PLIAN’s ongoing work in Labrador.
Preferred Skills and Experience
· Comprehensive understanding of Labrador’s unique cultures, geography, and history.
· Knowledge and understanding of Labrador’s Indigenous governments and communities.
· Cultural humility and understanding of the legacy of colonialism and intergenerational trauma, and experience working from a culturally-safe approach.
· Knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canadian law and legal processes.
· Ability to communicate in Innu-aimun, Inuttitut, and/or French.
· Experience and knowledge of trauma-informed and trauma-informed practices.
· Experience working in community and public sectors (preferably in Labrador) and in partnership development and collaboration.
· Experience in working with the public, including public speaking and presentations.
· Proficiency in use of Microsoft products (including Outlook, Word, Powerpoint, Excel), Google products (including Google Calendar, Google Documents, and Google Drive), and social media platforms (including Facebook and Twitter).
· Experience in report and proposal writing, especially in the public or community sector.
· Excellent time management and organizational skills
· Exceptional interpersonal skills
· Knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles
· Willingness to travel on a frequent and regular basis throughout Labrador and to other parts of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada for meetings with PLIAN staff, professional development opportunities, conferences, and other needs as may be required.
Position Details and Logistics
This is a contractual position with the initial contract period lasting two years. Extension of the contract is possible based on available funding and project needs. The salary will be negotiated and commensurate with experience. The position also includes entitlement to the Labrador Allowance (in accordance with the Provincial Government’s Labrador Benefits policy, health and dental insurance, a regular RRSP contribution of 5% of gross salary, a generous and flexible leave package, and regular opportunities for professional development.
The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Interviews will be held, where feasible, in person in Happy Valley-Goose Bay or virtually.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
To apply:
Submit a CV and covering letter, with the names and contact information of 2 references, to Kevin O’Shea, Executive Director of PLIAN, by email at director@publiclegalinfo.com by close of business on Friday, October 7, 2022.
For any questions and further information about this position, please contact Kevin O’Shea at director@publiclegalinfo.com or 709-722-4745.
PLIAN is an equal opportunity employer and values creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position, and particularly applicants of Indigenous background.