Legal Assistant Position – Sipekne’katik

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LEGAL ASSISTANT

 

1-year Term Contract
Salary: (TE 13-1 to TE 19-5) $40,733.16 to $59,115.94
Closing date:  September 9, 2024 at 4:30 pm

 

BACKGROUND

Nova Scotia Legal Aid and Sipekne’katik First Nation are partnering on an exciting new initiative of addressing the current barriers Sipekne’katik community members face when accessing legal services outside of Community. Nova Scotia Legal Aid is working with Sipekne’katik to provide legal services and educational initiatives by opening a legal aid office on Sipekne’katik First Nation.

Sipekne’katik First Nation is a Mi’kmaq community with over 3000 band members located in Hants County, Nova Scotia. Sipekne’katik is one of the seven geographic districts of Mi’kma’ki – the ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq that encompasses Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland, and Maine.

Sipekne’katik is a community rooted in the traditions and history of its ancestors, taking pride in their Mi’kmaw culture, language and way of life. Sipekne’katik includes communities of Indian Brook (now called Sipekne’katik), New Ross, Pennal, Dodd’s Lot, Hammonds Plains, and Grand Lake.

Sipekne’katik is a vibrant, growing community. Sipekne’katik strives to provide exciting cultural, educational, social, and many other opportunities for all its band members. The Sipekne’katik Band is focused on improving the economic sustainability of the community.  Through a strategic plan and sound economic initiatives, the Sipekne’katik Band is improving the standard of living for its community and all their band members by providing essential goods, services and supports that are developed and delivered by the community.

 

STATEMENT OF INTENTION

This position is designated to applicants who identify as Mi’kmaw or Indigenous Persons.  Lived experience in a historical Mi’kmaw Community is an asset for this position.  However, we encourage all applicants to apply.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve.

We welcome applications from all individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups, such as African Nova Scotian or Black, New Canadian or Immigrant, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, Persons with Disabilities, and Women. These applications will be considered if a suitable candidate is not found within the Mi’kmaq or Indigenous community. If you are a member of one of these equity populations, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application, cover letter or résumé/C.V.

We are committed to accommodating those with disabilities at any stage of the hiring process, so please advise of the required accommodations.

 

WHO WE ARE

A career at Nova Scotia Legal Aid is unlike any other in the legal field, regardless of the area of law. At Legal Aid, no two days are ever alike. A career at Nova Scotia Legal Aid is incredibly rewarding. It is a dynamic, fast-paced, and demanding workplace, and each day presents an opportunity to help make the lives of Nova Scotians better by compassionately assisting them through the most important legal issues happening in their lives.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides free legal information, advice, and representation to Nova Scotians facing criminal, family, or social justice issues, through 24 service offices and 3 sub-offices, with a focus on low income and equity-deserving populations as well as those experiencing gender-based, intimate partner, or family violence. This initiative will open the door to a new model of providing direct services to communities.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid has specialized service offices for youth, social justice, mental health legal services, and criminal and family appeals.

Our work on Sipekne’katik is guided by:

  • establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships
  • engaging and collaborating with Community organizations, elders and leaders
  • encouraging and supporting Community approach to resolving conflict and disputes
  • recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health in the Mi’kmaq view
  • approaching the work with humility, remembering we are guests in Community

 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

As a legal assistant in this position, you can expect to:

  • Effectively manage the front desk, incoming calls, application intakes and distribution
  • Manage, organize and co-ordinate Lawyers’ practice
  • Transcribe and type briefs and correspondence, and assures timely preparation, accuracy and documentation of all related documents including Orders, affidavits, financial statements, petitions, etc.
  • Ensures the management of all legal administrative related duties
  • Certificate administration
  • Ability to work independently, to take initiative, and to use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity
  • Be able to work with clients who have complex needs and works independently in a fast-paced environment as well as part of a team

Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines

  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including comfort speaking with diverse people
  • Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including legal research applications, MS Office and Outlook
  • All other duties as required

 

PROFESSIONAL & LIVED EXPERIENCE

You’re our ideal candidate if you are talented, hardworking and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, caring, dedicated and committed to our clients. Experience with family law cases, criminal court practices, and social justice matters would be an asset.

You will also need:

  • Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal or equivalent training and related relevant experience

 

THE PACKAGE

1-year Term Contract
Salary: (TE 13-1 to TE 19-5) $40,733.16 to $59,115.94

Nova Scotia Legal Aid offers its employees a wide range of benefits including but not limited to:

  • Health, dental, long-term disability, and life insurance
  • Defined benefit pension
  • Starting 3 weeks of vacation
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program
  • Support for community involvement
  • Professional development and mentorship

 

APPLY NOW

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca. Please indicate Position Title and Location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the email subject line.

While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications will be held in strict confidence.