CharityVillage

Staff Lawyer, Okanagan Legal Clinic

Founded in 1986, MWC is a non-profit organization that works to promote and advance access to justice for migrant workers by providing legal services, advocacy, research, public education, and engaging in law and policy reform initiatives.

Funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia’s Racial Justice Grants, the Okanagan Legal Clinic Project aims to address systemic racism in Canada’s immigration system, particularly in the context of the Primary Agricultural Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), including the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). The harvesting economy of British Columbia’s Okanagan region depends on migrant agricultural workers; however, these workers are uniquely vulnerable to exploitation and abuse in the sector. Many are routinely subject to employment standards violations, forced to live in substandard conditions, and denied proper medical care or compensation for workplace injuries. Migrant workers are tied to the employers who hire them. If they complain about abuses, they may face threats of deportation, blacklisting or other retaliation. Despite their essential labour, they are largely excluded from Canadian citizenship.

The purpose of this role is to provide summary legal advice and full representation to agricultural migrant workers in the Okanagan region, as well as to conduct test case litigation and advocate for policy and legal reform on migrant workers’ behalf.

The Staff Lawyer will report to the Legal Director and will work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes MWC’s Okanagan-based Intake Manager.

Responsibilities 

• Provide legal information, advice, and full representation, with a particular focus on immigration law and employment law (including civil, employment standards, human rights, and WorkSafeBC);

• Lead test-case litigation to advance the rights of migrant agricultural workers;

• Engage in systemic advocacy for law and policy reform

  • Organize three roundtable meetings per year to discuss issues, trends, and legislative and policy solutions and

  • Develop evidence-based policy proposals and engage with law and policy makers.

• Build and maintain relationships with non-profit organizations and other key stakeholders to ensure effective planning and delivery of project activities;

• Provide referrals to other services in the community, as appropriate; and

• Provide activity reports and statistical information for the purposes of reporting to the funder.

Qualifications

• Current member or eligible for membership of the Law Society of British Columbia

• At least two years of experience practicing immigration and/or employment law

• Understanding of the issues and barriers faced by migrant agricultural workers in regards to the legal system

• Experience in policy analysis

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to a variety of audiences

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice

• Cultural awareness and ability to work with newcomers from various cultural communities

• Experience establishing and maintaining working relationships with community partners

• Ability to communicate orally in Spanish

• Driver’s license and access to a vehicle

• Assets in the role include:

  • Experience conducting test case litigation

  • Experience working in the non-profit sector

• Ability to speak other languages in addition to English and Spanish is an asset.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is between $85,000 to $95,000 per year, commensurate with skills and experience.

MWC also provides:

• Extended health and dental benefits

• Four weeks' vacation on the first year

• A compassionate and flexible Wellness Leave policy

• Participation in the BC Municipal Pension Plan, with matching employer contributions

Other terms

• The candidate will be required to be present in Kelowna several times a month to participate in community events and to be generally accessible to Migrant Workers for in-person meetings. MWC may be able to cover some of the travel costs required for applicants not residing in Kelowna, but our strong preference will be for applicants living in the community or surrounding areas.

• We anticipate that the Staff Lawyer will do a combination of remote-based and in-person work, subject to public health orders and guidance, MWC’s own policies, and individual health needs.