Union: OPSEU - District

Job Number: J0725-0946

Job Title: Legal Aid Worker (12 months)

Job Type: Contract

Contract Duration (months): 12 months

City, Province, Country: Kenora, Ontario, Canada

Job Location: Kenora

Job Category: Legal

Job Classification: S4U

Role Designation:

LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.

Open Positions: 1

Posting Date: August 7, 2025

Closing Date: August 20, 2025

Salary: $55,200.11 - $82,396.92/Year

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

Primary function

This position is responsible for supporting the district office by advancing a client’s legal matter and is responsible for providing client service under the direct supervision of lawyer/manager in the Kenora office in the NW Region.

The family law legal aid worker will be responsible for the initial assessment and intake of family law clients to assist in determining the appropriate service for the client, the referral to appropriate services and resources, the preparation and drafting of non-complex family court documents and pleadings, including the drafting and preparation of applications, answers, motions, affidavits, and financial statements and other duties as assigned.

Home Location: Kenora

Secondary/Tertiary Locations: Fort Frances, Red Lake, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Ignace

Reporting to: Manager of Legal Services, North District

Key accountabilities

• Provide general information, including procedural legal information, by responding to in-person, written and phone inquiries, from lawyers, clients and other legal system partners, on the status of applications, appeals and referrals.
• Liaise with other legal service providers, internal and external, including court based services, to ensure seamless client service
• Perform client and certificate file management activities, including providing of information to clients relating to legal aid and court proceeding.
• Court document preparation; client interviewing and even some assistance with filing the client’s family court documents
• Complete client/conflict checks
• Create systems to manage the volume of work and the ability to compile information for statistical purposes and reporting/analysis
• Prepare agreements, forms and general correspondences
• Assist clients and lawyers on the phone and/or in person
• Outreach work with clinics and other community agencies to promote and expand services co-ordination opportunities
• Perform other duties as required

Required skills & experience

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies with the proven ability to exercise judgment when encountering stressful situations including the early identification of vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made

• Ability and willingness to appear in court on behalf of clients

• Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures

• Demonstrated commitment to client service and relationship building skills

• Possess experience with all types of law and some knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Family Law Act and the Child and Family Services Act

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills

• Possess significant knowledge of LAO priorities, policies and procedures

• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including familiarity and competence with proper maintenance of client data base, computer information databases such as PeopleSoft, Legal Files and Divorce mate, conflict of interest systems,

• Well-developed interview skills in a social service environment

• Ability to maintain detailed functional and theoretical knowledge of legal aid application processing rules and procedures including Section 30 process, financial principles and LAO policies and practices

• Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria and to generate certificates in accordance with office procedures and standard formats and to submit files and appropriate documentation to area office staff for processing.

• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including MS Teams, Zoom, Smartphones and iPhone.

• Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs; Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Divorce mate. Experience with Legal Files Access would be assets.

What do we offer?

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work
environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal well-being. Salary:$55,200 – 82,396/year, with opportunity to increase salary by taking additional Weekend and Statutory holidays (WASH) shifts.

We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that include dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage.

Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid time-off policy including vacation days, illness days, discretionary days and statutory holidays.

Employees are eligible to be enrolled to OPSEU Pension Plan, administered by OPSEU Pension Plan Trust Fund (OPTrust).

Relocation costs may also be available.

How to apply:
To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.
Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
This position is collective represented by OPSEU and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi-weekly from date of hire. First preference will be given to current members of OPSUE.
Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position.
Already have an Njoyn account? Just sign in and select "my jobs" to apply.
Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.

If you are having trouble applying, please call 1-877-427-7717.