Position Title: Legal Assistant
Department/Unit: Legal Aid Program
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posting Number: S079-24
Employee Group: NSGEU Local 77
Position Type: Term
Duration of Contract (if applicable): One (1) year
Employment Type: Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE): 1.0 FTE
Salary $20.18 – $25.45 per hour ($34,106 – $43,017 per annum, 32.5 hours per week)
Classification: C4
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.
Job Summary
Dalhousie Legal Aid was the first legal service for low-income communities in Nova Scotia and is the oldest clinical law program in Canada. It is also the only community law clinic in Nova Scotia. The Clinic is a unique partnership of community groups, law students, community legal workers, and lawyers working together and is operated by the Schulich School of Law. Reporting to the Office Manager, the Legal Assistant will provide administrative and data-tracking support to the Social Justice team.
Key Responsibilities
Communicate with clients to provide and/or seek information, including scheduling appointments, greeting clients, assisting with forms, gathering required information, tracking applications, files, and other data.
Create, edit, format and type legal documents, correspondence, and other materials for lawyers and community legal workers.
Organize community outreach meetings, in-person and telephone summary advise services, and track as required.
Advise senior law students on preparation of legal documents and on office procedures.
Prepare individual files for billing. Track incoming requests for social justice service, files opened and closed, and other data needed for reporting.
Provide backup administrative support for the office, which includes greeting walk-ins, answering phones and directing requests appropriately.
Note
Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.
Required Qualifications
Legal Assistant certificate or Paralegal course, plus two years’ related work experience (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
Excellent interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the proven ability to multi-task and set priorities.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
Assets
Previous experience working in a law office that practices administrative law, family law and/or youth criminal law.
Experience using Legal Files or similar legal management software.
Commissioner of Oaths or eligible for appointment as such.
Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:
– Self-Awareness & Professionalism
– Integrity
– Respect & Inclusion
– Adaptability
– Communication
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.
Application Consideration
Bargaining unit employees (NSGEU local 77) are given priority consideration and will be notified on the status of their application following assessment. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.
We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or Human Resources.
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies One (1)
Open Date 03/18/2024
Close Date 04/01/2024
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/16028
Link to Job Posting: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/16028
Job Deadline/Expiry Date: 04/01/2024