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About Ottawa Community Housing Join us at Ottawa Community Housing, where we are more than a home to about 33,000 tenants across approximately 15,000 homes. As Ottawa's largest social and affordable housing provider, ranking second largest in Ontario and fourth largest in Canada, we're committed to enhancing tenant wellbeing through partnerships with local service providers and support agencies. At OCH, diversity and equal opportunities are at the core of our workplace culture. We strive to mirror the vibrant communities of our city and have been honoured as the National Capital Region's Top Employer every year since 2018. What we offer Joining OCH means making a meaningful difference every day. We provide opportunities to positively impact your community in multiple ways. Recognizing that our employees are the cornerstone of our organization, we offer a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package, flexible work options, professional development opportunities, health and wellness programs, and more. Together, we're transforming tenants' lives by providing more than a home, because we care. What we seek OCH is currently seeking a dedicated Paralegal (Temporary), to provide legal advice and legal services to operations staff related to the Residential Tenancies Act and other matters within the parameters authorized by the Law Society of Ontario. Under the guidance of the Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate, the Paralegal will represent OCH at the Landlord and Tenant Board with respect to tenant applications and landlord forcause eviction cases. The Paralegal will function within the Legal Services team, to aid in the efficient and effective delivery of legal services to the corporation. Paralegal with OCH At OCH, we strive to deliver quality services and promote safe and healthy communities. As a Paralegal, you will be at the forefront of this objective by using your expertise to support our Legal Services team. What you will do Case Management and Management In accordance with Law Society of Ontario rules, provide legal advice and legal services to operations staff on Residential Tenancies Act requirements for prosecution of for cause eviction applications at the Landlord and Tenant Board. In accordance with Law Society of Ontario rules, provide legal advice and legal services to operations staff on Residential Tenancies Act requirements for defence of tenant applications (maintenance, harassment, interference or provincial offences) at the LTB, including any referred by OCH Collections. Meet with staff regularly to provide proactive legal information and advice to aid in preservation of safe and healthy communities for our tenants and for staff who work within our communities. Lead proactive tenant eviction prevention through collaboration and problemsolving with tenants, external stakeholders, and team members within OCH. Lead LTBLitigation process for complex Landlord Tenant Board matters including: Landlord applications based on substantial interference, willful or negligent damage, illegal activity, fraudulent receipt of RGI, serious impairment of safety, illegal assignment or sublet of units. Tenant applications for breach of maintenance obligations, harassment or interference, or applications alleging RTA provincial offences (illegal lockouts, harassment, illegal entry) under the Act. Lead above litigation process, including: Approve and sign off on draft legal documents submitted by Administrative Assistant for Paralegals signature. Draft pleadings, notices, motions and applications. Monitor deadlines and limitation periods applicable to RTA matters. Lead hearing preparation to ensure witnesses are supported, prepared for hearing process, and review direct and crossexamination questions. Review or prepare as required documentary disclosure for litigation, assessing in the context of privacy legislation and Statutory Powers and Procedures Act, and LTB Rules of Procedure. Respond to calls and queries, as well as engage in negotiations with tenants and tenant legal representatives on litigation files. Meet with and prepare witnesses for hearings including tenants and staff; and prepare professionals required to testify, including police officers, property standards officers, bylaw officers, contractors and expert witnesses. Conduct advanced legal research on legislation, rules of procedure and case law, and prepare and submit written and oral legal arguments as required to support cases. Represent OCH at LTB hearings: examine witnesses, submit evidence and exhibits, make legal arguments in support of requested outcome. Prepare and commission affidavits. Prepare written submissions and arguments. Conduct direct examination of OCHC witnesses and crossexaminations of opposing witnesses in accordance with the rules of evidence. Submit documentary and digital exhibits in accordance with the rules of evidence. Negotiate agreements and settlements of cases. Address interim matters at the LTB such as case conferences, motions, adjournments and scheduling before the Board. Prepare motions to request reviews of orders based on errors of law as required. Handle Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act cases: Upon receipt of declaration or consumer proposal, prepare forms for Trustee, instruct finance and Collections on how to handle debt. Instruct TDRC on amounts (if any) to write off, instruct collection team on impact of claim on LTB proceedings, monitor proposal or claim until discharge. Provide legal advice to LTB Collections on complex legal and issues that arise within rent arrears cases. Upon request, take carriage of complex collections LTB legal cases that require legal analysis and argument. Assist Lawyer with Court hearings as required. Coordinate enforcement of LTB orders with the Sheriffs Office and appropriate internal staff. What you can look forward to A fastpaced environment filled with exciting challenges to overcome. Using creative and problemsolving skills to help our Legal Services team and the organisation. A learning environment to help you expand and enhance both your technical and soft skills. What you bring Education & Experience A typical candidate will have the following qualifications and experience. Exceptional candidates with different qualifications will be considered at the discretion of the employer if demonstrated experience, knowledge, and ability warrant. College diploma in a Paralegal program. Licensed with the Law Society of Ontario as a Paralegal, in good standing. A minimum of three years experience representing clients at the Landlord and Tenant Board. Experience working for a social housing provider is an asset. Bilingualism is an asset. Knowledge Advanced knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act, Landlord and Tenant Board rules, Statutory Powers and Procedure Act, practice directions, and guidelines. Knowledge of the Provincial Offences Act, Ontario Evidence Act, Human Rights Code, Housing Services Act, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, Rules of Civil Procedure, and Small Claims Court. Knowledge of legal databases for case law and legislative research such as CanLII, elaws. Understanding of the diverse needs, abilities and social, economic, cultural and other factors present in OCH tenant communities, including poverty, disability, mental health, age and cultural diversity. Understanding of the values, vision and mission of Ottawa Community Housing and a commitment to support those objectives. Knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, database applications, and other standard corporate software. Knowledge of OCH policies and procedures is an asset. Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers. Must be familiar with all applicable statutory requirements, policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to area of work. Knowledge of legal research online resources such as Quicklaw, Westlaw, CanLII. Skills and abilities Excellent organizational skills including but not limited to tracking deadlines, maintaining organized files and records. Ability to work effectively and accurately in a high demand multitask environment, and to anticipate, plan for and provide services needed to ensure ongoing tasks, projects and operational requirements of the department are effectively and efficiently managed. Effective use of internet resources and program databases effectively to research issues and gather information on a wide range of social housing and legal issues. Effective drafting, presentation preparation, and communication skills. Effective client service and teamwork skills. Clear understanding of, and commitment to, the principle of confidentiality. Effective problem solving and critical thinking skills. Ability to make appropriate judgments and to recognize when issues should be brought to the attention of senior management. Ability to follow protocols and work without close supervision. Ability to write clearly, concisely and grammatically and to organize written material coherently in a variety of formats (e.g. reports, letters, newsletters, presentations). Skilled in public speaking and able to deliver effective and persuasive presentations to a wide range of audiences, including administrative tribunals, tenant communities, partner organisations. Ability to negotiate and be persuasive to effectively solve problems and represent OCHs interests. Excellent interpersonal skills that contribute to development of professional business relationships with colleagues at all levels within the organization in a context where responsibilities may include providing service to other departments and Senior Management. Ability to work independently without close supervision on a daytoday basis, to meet the needs of a high demand and fast paced environment. Ability to effectively manage the positions workload, to identify issues and problems to the Manager when appropriate, and to contribute positively to the administration of the department and achievement of its goals and work plan. Oral fluency and reading and writing abilities in English are required. Oral fluency and reading and writing abilities in French are preferred. Other requirements Satisfactory Criminal Records Check. Ability to work outside of regular business hours, as required based on operational and emerging issues. Work conditions This is a temporary, fulltime hybrid position (35 hrs/wk) with onsite attendance as required. Other details about the role Affiliation: CUPE 503 Salary: $38.32 - $44.20 / hour OCH is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, please notify Human Resources and we will work with you to jointly address your needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr