legal Associate, Full time permanent 37.5 hours per week
Top Benefits
About the role
legal Associate, Full time permanent 37.5 hours per week, Pembroke
====================================================================
LEGAL ASSOCIATE
Department:
Legal Services
Accountability:
Supervisor of Legal Services
Location:
77 Mary Street, Pembroke
Family & Children’s Services of Renfrew County is a multi-service agency committed to providing preventative, protective and socially inclusive services and programming that empower and strengthen everyone. We are focused on cultivating a team-oriented work environment where everyone thrives. Our goal is to develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships to increase availability, accessibility and quality of care to our communities.
Our agency commitments include: moving forward Anti-Oppressive Practice, French Language Services and working alongside Indigenous Communities.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Legal Counsel provides expert legal services to the Agency in fulfilling its mandate under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA). This role includes representing the Agency in child protection proceedings, mediations, and complaints processes; advising on privacy, and risk management matters; and providing consultation and training to staff and supervisors. Legal Counsel ensures compliance with the CYFSA, Family Law Rules, case law, and related legislation, while promoting collaborative and least-intrusive approaches to child protection. The position also supports the development of Agency policy and provides coverage for senior counsel when required.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Represent the Agency in child protection proceedings before the Superior Court of Justice, including motions and trials.
- Represent the Agency in mediation, with respect to non-litigated matters and matters which are currently before the Court.
- Provide timely, well-considered legal advice and direction to service staff, supervisors, and management in child protection matters, exercising independent judgment and interpretation of legislation, policies, and case law.
- Ensure the legal interests of the child, as represented by the child protection worker, are effectively advanced in court and negotiations.
- Assess complex and diverse legal issues, balancing child safety, Agency risk, and stakeholder interests within a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Work with supervisors to evaluate evidence, prepare witnesses, and coordinate with external counsel and partners at all stages of a case.
- Prepare, review, and maintain complete and accurate legal documentation, ensuring compliance with legislation, Family Law Rules, and Agency policy.
- Monitor and analyze legal precedent, legislation, and policy developments; provide staff training and guidance on relevant case law, documentation, and practice implications.
- Provide legal input into Agency policies and procedures, developing practical approaches and solutions where existing guidance may be limited.
- Prepare responses to Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB) complaints and represent the Agency throughout the process.
- Advise on privacy matters under Part X of the CYFSA and related legislation (PHIPA, FIPPA, PIPEDA) and prepare responses to the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC).
- Provide risk management advice to minimize Agency liability while prioritizing child safety.
- Ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of legal advice and representation, recognizing that decisions directly affect the work of others and may have implications for child safety, Agency operations, and public confidence.
- Handle confidential and sensitive information with the highest degree of discretion, recognizing that improper disclosure could significantly affect Agency operations, legal outcomes, and public trust.
- Collaborate with clients, families, Indigenous communities, and external partners (e.g., OCL, mental health agencies, police) to support coordinated service.
- Provide coverage for senior legal counsel, including management responsibilities, as required.
SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
- Strong litigation, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with thorough knowledge of family court practice and evidentiary rules.
- Excellent oral and written communication, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, the Agency, and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to provide sound legal advice and act on client instructions in a corporate and child welfare setting.
- Knowledge of systemic barriers to equity and demonstrated application of anti-oppressive, anti-colonial, anti-racist, and strength-based practices in legal work.
- Familiarity with CYFSA provisions specific to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families, and the ability to apply these in practice.
- Familiarity with the Federal Act (An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families) and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice.[AL1]
- Capacity to integrate trauma-informed practice into litigation and client engagement.
- Proficiency in alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and collaborative approaches.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Skilled in developing and delivering presentations and training to staff.
- Ability to travel and provide own transportation.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:
- Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- Minimum one year of experience since being called to the Bar, preferably in child protection law.
- Knowledge of the CYFSA, Family Law Act, Children’s Law Reform Act, Evidence Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, the Federal Act, and relevant privacy legislation (Part X of the CYFSA, PHIPA, FIPPA, PIPEDA).
- Bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- This position involves a combination of in person office-based work, regular attendance at court and tribunals, participation in mediations and collaborative meetings, and occasional community or stakeholder consultations.
- Regular travel within the county is required; access to a reliable vehicle is necessary.
- The role requires periods of light physical activity. This included constant sitting, standing or walking, regular handling of lightweight objects (10lbs. weight) or constant visual attention to detail.
- Work is occasionally of an emergency nature and disruptive to normal scheduling and work beyond the normal working hours will sometimes be required.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
- Salary range-Hourly rate is $39.54 to 56.84 along with a comprehensive benefits package, including participation in the OMERS pension plan.
legal Associate, Full time permanent 37.5 hours per week
Top Benefits
About the role
legal Associate, Full time permanent 37.5 hours per week, Pembroke
====================================================================
LEGAL ASSOCIATE
Department:
Legal Services
Accountability:
Supervisor of Legal Services
Location:
77 Mary Street, Pembroke
Family & Children’s Services of Renfrew County is a multi-service agency committed to providing preventative, protective and socially inclusive services and programming that empower and strengthen everyone. We are focused on cultivating a team-oriented work environment where everyone thrives. Our goal is to develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships to increase availability, accessibility and quality of care to our communities.
Our agency commitments include: moving forward Anti-Oppressive Practice, French Language Services and working alongside Indigenous Communities.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Legal Counsel provides expert legal services to the Agency in fulfilling its mandate under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA). This role includes representing the Agency in child protection proceedings, mediations, and complaints processes; advising on privacy, and risk management matters; and providing consultation and training to staff and supervisors. Legal Counsel ensures compliance with the CYFSA, Family Law Rules, case law, and related legislation, while promoting collaborative and least-intrusive approaches to child protection. The position also supports the development of Agency policy and provides coverage for senior counsel when required.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Represent the Agency in child protection proceedings before the Superior Court of Justice, including motions and trials.
- Represent the Agency in mediation, with respect to non-litigated matters and matters which are currently before the Court.
- Provide timely, well-considered legal advice and direction to service staff, supervisors, and management in child protection matters, exercising independent judgment and interpretation of legislation, policies, and case law.
- Ensure the legal interests of the child, as represented by the child protection worker, are effectively advanced in court and negotiations.
- Assess complex and diverse legal issues, balancing child safety, Agency risk, and stakeholder interests within a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Work with supervisors to evaluate evidence, prepare witnesses, and coordinate with external counsel and partners at all stages of a case.
- Prepare, review, and maintain complete and accurate legal documentation, ensuring compliance with legislation, Family Law Rules, and Agency policy.
- Monitor and analyze legal precedent, legislation, and policy developments; provide staff training and guidance on relevant case law, documentation, and practice implications.
- Provide legal input into Agency policies and procedures, developing practical approaches and solutions where existing guidance may be limited.
- Prepare responses to Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB) complaints and represent the Agency throughout the process.
- Advise on privacy matters under Part X of the CYFSA and related legislation (PHIPA, FIPPA, PIPEDA) and prepare responses to the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC).
- Provide risk management advice to minimize Agency liability while prioritizing child safety.
- Ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of legal advice and representation, recognizing that decisions directly affect the work of others and may have implications for child safety, Agency operations, and public confidence.
- Handle confidential and sensitive information with the highest degree of discretion, recognizing that improper disclosure could significantly affect Agency operations, legal outcomes, and public trust.
- Collaborate with clients, families, Indigenous communities, and external partners (e.g., OCL, mental health agencies, police) to support coordinated service.
- Provide coverage for senior legal counsel, including management responsibilities, as required.
SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
- Strong litigation, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with thorough knowledge of family court practice and evidentiary rules.
- Excellent oral and written communication, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, the Agency, and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to provide sound legal advice and act on client instructions in a corporate and child welfare setting.
- Knowledge of systemic barriers to equity and demonstrated application of anti-oppressive, anti-colonial, anti-racist, and strength-based practices in legal work.
- Familiarity with CYFSA provisions specific to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families, and the ability to apply these in practice.
- Familiarity with the Federal Act (An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families) and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice.[AL1]
- Capacity to integrate trauma-informed practice into litigation and client engagement.
- Proficiency in alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and collaborative approaches.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Skilled in developing and delivering presentations and training to staff.
- Ability to travel and provide own transportation.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:
- Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- Minimum one year of experience since being called to the Bar, preferably in child protection law.
- Knowledge of the CYFSA, Family Law Act, Children’s Law Reform Act, Evidence Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, the Federal Act, and relevant privacy legislation (Part X of the CYFSA, PHIPA, FIPPA, PIPEDA).
- Bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- This position involves a combination of in person office-based work, regular attendance at court and tribunals, participation in mediations and collaborative meetings, and occasional community or stakeholder consultations.
- Regular travel within the county is required; access to a reliable vehicle is necessary.
- The role requires periods of light physical activity. This included constant sitting, standing or walking, regular handling of lightweight objects (10lbs. weight) or constant visual attention to detail.
- Work is occasionally of an emergency nature and disruptive to normal scheduling and work beyond the normal working hours will sometimes be required.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
- Salary range-Hourly rate is $39.54 to 56.84 along with a comprehensive benefits package, including participation in the OMERS pension plan.