About Seniors First BC:

Established in 1994, Seniors First BC is a charitable, non-profit society that provides information, advocacy, and support to seniors across BC who are dealing with issues affecting their well-being. We provide free help to older adults through 5 programs: the Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL), Elder Law Clinic, Legal Advocacy Program, Victim Services program and Education and Outreach program. We are seeking an energetic full time Paralegal located in the Lower Mainland to join our team.

Job Title:

Paralegal

Main Purpose of the Position:

To assist lawyers of our Elder Law Clinic and of our upcoming Advance Planning Program by preparing Wills, Representation Agreements, Powers of Attorney as well as court documents (based on the paralegal’s experience).

Reports to:

Lawyers, Executive Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Draft legal documents (Wills, enduring Powers of Attorney, Representation Agreements) from lawyers’ notes.
• Create Advance Planning precedents (templates with fields) based on the Elder Law Clinic lawyers’ documents.
• Preparing engagement and closing letters.
• Manage and organize files.
• Communicate with clients and callers effectively, respectfully and tactfully.
• Interview clients in our downtown offices and at clinics in other Lower Mainland communities.
• Prepare probate forms and administration documents.
• Land titles and corporate searches.
• Other tasks, based on paralegal’s experience and on the needs of the organization.

Qualifications:

• Minimum five years’ experience, including at least three at a Wills & Estates practice (required)
• A certificate/diploma from an accredited Paralegal program is an asset.
• Experience working with Indigenous people an asset.
• Excellent English written and oral skills.
• Good digital skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Comfortable talking to clients.
• Ability to handle sensitive information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and adhere to deadlines.
• Experience working on estate matters on reserve is an asset.
• Experience with estate administration and general litigation is an asset.
• Experience with document automation is an asset.

Work location:

Primarily in the office in downtown Vancouver. A combination of in-person and remote work is possible after probation.

Hours and salary

Full time (35 hours/week).

Approximately $36-$41 per hour or $65,000-$75,000 per year, depending on skills and experience.

Extended health benefit package available after successful completion of probation.

Application:

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter to humanresources@seniorsfirstbc.ca. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until the position is filled.

We welcome applications from members of communities experiencing structural discrimination, including Indigenous people, racialized people, 2SLGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

About Seniors First BC:

Established in 1994, Seniors First BC is a charitable, non-profit society that provides information, advocacy, and support to seniors across BC who are dealing with issues affecting their well-being. We provide free help to older adults through 5 programs: the Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL), Elder Law Clinic, Legal Advocacy Program, Victim Services program and Education and Outreach program. We are seeking an energetic full time Legal Advocate located in the Lower Mainland to join our team.

Job Title:

Legal Advocate

Main Purpose of the Position:

The Legal Advocacy Program facilitates access to justice for older adults through the provision of legal information, summary advice and representation in areas including benefits and pensions, residential tenancy issues and debt. Our Legal Advocate also assists seniors to assert their rights and find their way through government institutions. Due to an increase in our workload, we are recruiting a second legal advocate who would work along with our experienced legal advocate, under the supervision of the Executive Director.

The Legal Advocate will provide legal information, summary advice and representation older adults who have limited financial resources. Client files are mainly issues about public sector pensions and benefits, residential tenancy issues and consumer debt. The Legal Advocate will also occasionally participate in community outreach and legal education activities.

Start Date:

January 2023

Reports to:

Executive Director and/or Supervising Lawyer

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct client interviews on the telephone and/or in person, and assess and analyze legal problems
• Provide legal advice in pensions, housing and debt and other poverty law issues under the supervision of SFBC’s staff lawyer
• Draft legal submissions and correspondence on behalf of clients
• Represent clients in hearings before different federal and provincial tribunals
• Works collaboratively with all our other programs.
• Develop and conduct Public Legal Education workshops and presentations in the Lower Mainland (some travel may be required)

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in law or social sciences, or other related field
• Excellent advocacy and problem solving skills
• Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Understanding of trauma-informed approach and working with marginalized communities
• Cultural competency and ability to work with older adults from various cultural communities.
• Prior experience working as a legal advocate in the non-profit sector is an asset.
• The ability speak languages other than English is an asset

Work Location:

The successful applicant will be expected to work out of our downtown office, with the option to work remotely a few days peweek.

Hours and Salary:

Full-time (35 hours/week).

Approximately $30-$33 per hour or $54,600-$60,000 per year, depending on skills and experience.

Competitive extended health benefit package available after successful completion of probation.

Application:

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter to humanresources@seniorsfirstbc.ca. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until the position is filled.

We welcome applications from members of communities experiencing structural discrimination, including Indigenous people, racialized people, 2SLGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.