Junior Staff Lawyer
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc.
JUNIOR STAFF LAWYER
Date Issued: March 30th, 2026
Deadline for Application: April 30th, 2026
Wolastoqey Tribal Council
Term: One year with the possibility to renew.
Overview:
The Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. (WTCI) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening the capacity of its five member communities in New Brunswick—Matawaskiye, Wotstak, Bilijk, Sitansisk, and Welamukotuk. WTCI provides services and programming in key areas including Health, Education, Training & Employment, Governance, and Emergency Management.
Position Summary
The Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. (WTCI) has been undertaking what we call the “justice work” with two main aims, to reform the current system to be safer and more responsive to Wolastoqey people and to restore our own justice system, legal traditions and structures.
The WTCI Junior Staff Lawyer will represent Wolastoqey clients facing criminal charges with an overarching goal of reducing the number of Wolastoqey people going through the justice system.
The Junior Staff Lawyer will be a part of an interdisciplinary team that strives to ensure that Wolastoqey people who are going through the justice system do not fall through the cracks. Staff lawyers work closely with Wolastoqey clients and WTCI and Wolastoqey community staff to access the legal and social supports that affect housing, employment, physical and mental health and wellness necessary to address the challenges and systemic barriers in the child protection and criminal justice systems.
Responsibilities
• Provide criminal law service to clients, including summary legal advice and information, and individual case representation
• Develop solutions to legal problems with a focus on early resolution, and act for clients in legal matters at hearings and at trials in Provincial Court
• Advocate for diversion of legal matters from the formal court system to less intrusive measures, including Indigenous intervention protocols, Wolastoqey justice processes, alternative dispute resolution processes; mediation and restorative justice processes where appropriate
• Advocate for Gladue Reports in all cases where the court must determine the client’s sentence
• Collaborate with Indigenous, local, provincial and federal government agencies and service providers to ensure clients have access to culturally safe and Indigenized programs and services
• Work with the Wolastoqey communities to provide client-centred wrap around services.
• Help raise the visibility and promote awareness of the available legal services at WTCI
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Wolastoqey communities
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with all employees and stakeholders, including service providers, police, probation, diversion, crown counsel and other crown agencies
• Represent the WTCI in meetings, at community events, and with other organizations, as assigned
• Develop and conduct workshops to train community members and the public on a variety of issues related to criminal law
• Compile information for annual and other reports and ensure comprehensive statistics are maintained as required
• Work together with the WTCI team to maintain a welcoming, high-function centre by supporting colleagues and community partners, as assigned.
• Comply with WTCI policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
• Passion for transforming a legal system into a justice system for Indigenous people in New Brunswick
• Belief that law should be client/person-centred, not lawyer centred
• Membership or eligibility for membership (in good standing) of the Law Society of New Brunswick
• At least two (2) years call to the Bar in New Brunswick or equivalent experience in another Canadian jurisdiction
• Knowledge of the structure and procedures of Canada’s Criminal Justice System, including knowledge of the criminal law, Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Crown Counsel Policy Manual (in particular charge assessment guidelines), Gladue principles and case law
• Knowledge of the following documents is an asset: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action
• Knowledge of local agencies that offer indigenous / restorative justice services, and support services to offenders, and to children, youth and families
• Ability to synthesize complex legal problems and propose creative solutions
• Ability to provide a culturally safe environment for clients
• An understanding of Indigenous issues, cultures as well as Indigenous community groups and agencies and current issues affecting indigenous communities
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills combined with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster and work within a multi-disciplinary team environment
• Experience and interest in Public Legal Education
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to defuse stressful situations and use tact in dealing with clients and the general public
• Solid computer skills coupled with a good understanding of the use of new technologies within a dynamic work environment
• Excellent project management skills and the demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet heavy case/ workload demands and deadlines
• Self-motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision in a team-oriented setting
• Strong organizational, case and file management skills, stress management and time management skills
• Ability to engage people to build trust and rapport; have effective verbal and listening communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, problem solve and take initiative
• Understanding of interdisciplinary approaches and respect for non-legal supports
• Commitment to collaborative team environment
• Valid Driver’s License, the use of a vehicle and ability to travel
• Clear Vulnerable Sector Check (to be completed after receiving offer of employment)
The Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. offers competitive salary and benefits to our employees. Remuneration is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Pay Range for this position is: $59,124 – $111,280 annually
Working location is 35 Dedham Street, Sitansisk (Fredericton New Brunswick).
WTCI hires based on merit and is committed to employment equity. We encourage all qualified persons to apply; however, qualified Aboriginal applicants will be given priority in accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Please self-identify.
Applicants may not be holders of elected political office.
Applications including resume and cover letter should be submitted in confidence via email, with the subject line “Junior Staff Lawyer” to: human.resources@wolastoqey.ca. or indeed.com. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2025.
Note: Personal suitability will also be considered during the hiring process. WTCI may consider candidates that initially may not have all the experience and knowledge requirements. In that case, training and development opportunities will be identified for the candidate’s long-term success.