Courtworker Trainee

Job Title: Courtworker Trainee
Travel Required: No
Location: Toronto Head Office
Position Type: Full Time- Contract
Reports to: Senior Staff Lawyer/Courtworker Supervisor Posting Expires: Until filled
Salary Range: Miziwe Biik Hourly Rate for the applicable fiscal year

Organizational Overview:

Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS) was established February 21, 1990. ALS was formed following a needs assessment by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. With approximately 75 dedicated employees, Aboriginal Legal Services is headquartered in Toronto and operates nearly a dozen satellite offices across Ontario. Over the years, ALS has become a nationally recognized leader in the development of Indigenous-led justice programming and in test-case litigation. Indigenous people require equitable treatment in the justice and access to legal and related resources. Understanding the criminal justice system and options within it is important. This includes advocacy in all areas of the law, as well as alternatives with the potential to break the cycle of recidivism and dependency. Alternatives are more effective when community-controlled and based on the traditional norms and values of the Indigenous community.

Position Summary:

The role of the Aboriginal Courtworker Trainee is to assist Indigenous individuals in navigating the justice system by providing information to the accused about court processes. The Trainee will provide referrals to appropriate legal resources, assist in the creation of release plans, and follow up with clients. This position is unionized.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Offering support and helping individuals navigate the justice system by providing information to Aboriginal accused and family members about criminal processes;
• Referring Aboriginal people to appropriate resources;
• Assisting in the creation of release plans with clients and advocating for appropriate services for the accused, as well as following up on referrals;
• Networking and liaison between client, members of the judiciary and culturally appropriate justice programs and services and Aboriginal community justice programs and services;

Qualifications

• Must be registered with Miziwe Biik and working with an Employment Counsellor;
• Must reside within the GTA;
• Excellent verbal and writing skills;
• Ability to work independently and to manage a regular caseload of clients;
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and programs and services available to Indigenous people in Toronto and surrounding area would;

To apply:

To apply to this job posting please submit your cover letter and resume with “Courtworker Trainee” in the subject line to hrgeneral@aboriginallegal.ca  or fax it to (416) 408-1568.