Paralegal - Ottawa, Canada - Ottawa Community Housing

Ottawa Community Housing

Verified Company

Ottawa, Canada

1 week ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCH) is a landlord who provides 15,000 homes to 32,000 residents including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs within many communities across the City of Ottawa.

As the largest social and affordable housing provider in Ottawa and the second largest in Ontario, we manage two-thirds of the City's social housing portfolio.

But we are no ordinary landlord.

We are partner, supporter, and cheerleader in the lives of some 32,000 residents who live in affordable and social housing in Ottawa.

Through our vision, mission and values, OCH provides homes that link people in need to supports and services that can help them lead healthy, safe and fulfilling lives.

Call Centre, maintenance and community safety services are available to the tenants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

While we are a non-profit organization, funded by and operating at arm's length from the City of Ottawa, OCH operates a lean, high-functioning business model, with a social purpose that is well regarded across the social housing sector in Canada and abroad.

The work we do at OCH enables our tenants to fully participate in the socio-economic opportunities of the City. By joining our team, you will play a vital role in the development of safe and healthy communities. Together, we build homes and communities that embrace diversity inclusion.

At OCH, we strive to represent the diversity present within the communities we serve.

We are committed to engaging employees in creating a workplace culture of inclusion and belonging, where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and feel valued.

Our employees come from all different backgrounds, age groups, sexual orientations, speak a multitude of languages, and share different experiences and perspectives.

We would not have it any other way.

We are proud because every day we make a difference

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POSITION SCOPE
Reporting to the assigned lawyer, the Paralegal will have responsibility for carriage of assigned Landlord and Tenant Board cases under the supervision of legal counsel, as well as providing administrative support services

to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) function within the Legal Services team, to aid in the efficient and effective delivery of legal services to the corporation.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Case Planning and Management

Manages carriage of assigned LTB legal files from commencement of legal action to completion, including monitoring of deadlines, production of documents, preparing, delivering and filing Notices, Applications, and other LTB forms, scheduling and communication with witnesses and outside counsel.
Represents OCH at LTB hearings, including, but not limited to, negotiating and mediating agreements and consent orders, addressing interim matters such as disclosure, scheduling, and conducting hearings before the Board
Assists Lawyer with Court hearings as required
Coordinates enforcement of LTB orders with the Sheriff's Office and appropriate internal staff
Accurately record all relevant information promptly to enable appropriate response by legal counsel and staff
Conducts research as directed by legal counsel
Assists in maintaining accurate records of all requests for legal action, including statistics on legal actions for cause and any other statistics required by the legal department. Prepare reports on department activities for legal counsel
Assists in maintaining updated databases and files in OCH Sharepoint folders and libraries

Administrative Support

Coordinates and schedules meetings, hearings, and maintains calendars for lawyers
Provides administrative support for projects or groups led by the legal department
Assists with the maintenance of files, records and all electronic systems for the legal department in keeping with approved records management practices and OCH policies and procedures
Completes all duties and responsibilities in accordance with statutory requirements, LTB rules, and OCH policies and procedures

Internal / External Accountabilities

Promptly reports all workplace accidents or incidents and unusual or dangerous work conditions

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

College diploma in a Paralegal program
Licensed with the Law Society of Ontario as a Paralegal
A minimum of three years experience representing clients at the Landlord and Tenant Board
Experience as a legal assistant in a litigation context is an asset
Experience working for a social housing provider is an asset
Bilingualism is an asset

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure, and Small Claims Court
Knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act, Landlord and Tenant Board rules, practice directions, and guidelines
Understanding of the diverse needs, abilities and social, economic, cultural and other factors present in OCH tenant communities, including poverty, disability, mental health, age a