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Legal Counsel Full Time
Competition #119868
General Counsel (Band 5)
Permanent, Full-time
Location: Victoria or Vancouver
Salary range: $123,100.01- $157,100.11 annually
Bring your legal expertise and commitment to advancing human rights to this impactful leadership role at BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner.
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) exists to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination, and injustice in B.C. by shifting laws, policies, practices and cultures. We do this work through education, research, advocacy, inquiry, and monitoring.
A member of the senior leadership team, the General Counsel acts as in-house legal counsel, providing advice to and representing the Commissioner on a range of legal issues that arise in the course of BCOHRC’s work. This includes conducting legal research and analysis, preparing legal opinions, and providing legal advice, particularly related to the Commissioner’s intervention and inquiry functions under sections 47.12(1)(j) and 47.15 of the Human Rights Code. In addition, the General Counsel leads BCOHRC’s Legal team and contributes to BCOHRC’s strategic direction.
EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
We are striving to build a diverse team that has lived experience with human rights. To complement the diversity of the BCOHRC team, preference may be given to applicants who are Indigenous, Black or People of Colour, people with diverse gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, and/or people with disabilities.
It will greatly assist us with screening if you refer in your application to these stated preferences. Recognizing the impacts of discrimination, we ask for a brief statement only, to the degree you feel comfortable sharing. One of our guiding principles is to operate in a trauma-informed manner and thus, it is your choice whether to volunteer information. We will hold your application in strictest confidence, sharing it only with the hiring panel.
Indigenous identity statement: In responding to the impacts of colonization in Canada, First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis people are encouraged to apply.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
BC’s Human Rights Commissioner is an independent officer of the Legislature. This independence lends credibility to our work, gives us the widest scope possible to make effective change, and ensures that the perspectives of a broad range of marginalized people are a meaningful part of our processes and are amplified to decision makers and duty bearers through our work. Avoiding real, perceived and potential conflicts is necessary for maintaining BCOHRC’s reputation for independence. This could mean that successful candidates may be requested to step down from governance or leadership positions such as boards or engagement in other activities that could result in an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• This posting is for one (1) permanent, full-time position in Vancouver or Victoria.
• Applicants must have an LL.B. or J.D. degree.
• A lawyer in good standing with a Canadian Law Society, with relevant practical experience, with at least ten years of call or equivalent experience. Must be eligible and willing to become a member of the Law Society of BC.
• Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or authorized in writing to work in Canada such as via a work permit). Employment is contingent upon continued eligibility to work in Canada (“continued eligibility” here means that eligibility to work in Canada must be maintained to be eligible for continued employment).
• The successful applicant requires a criminal record check. Existence of a criminal record will not result in immediate disqualification.
• This position is excluded from union membership.
• An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.
HOW TO APPLY
Review the job profile on the career section of our website.
1. Submit a cover letter and resume detailing your relevant work experience and how you meet the stated qualifications.
2. Include the position title on the cover letter and in the email subject line.
3. Applications must be submitted by email to recruitment@bchumanrights.ca