The British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF), established in 1917, is a union of professionals representing over 49,000 public school teachers in the province of BC. As an organization, we are dedicated to advancing learning conditions for students concurrently with advocating for BC's public school teachers and the teaching profession. We are also deeply committed to democratic decision-making and supporting the engagement of the teachers who make up our member base. Equally, we act on our belief in social justice in schools and the broader community, and actively support our members in striving to achieve equity, inclusion, and a more just society for their students today and into the future.
Housed in a modern, well-maintained office setting located close to the Canada Line and other major transit routes, the BCTF provides an exceptional working environment where respect, learning, and professional growth are championed and valued. Please note, this is a full-time, in-person position based out of Vancouver.
Function and purpose
Reporting to the General Counsel, the Staff Lawyer provides legal advice and advocacy regarding the administration of the provincial collective agreement and local collective agreement language. The Staff Lawyer advises staff and local union officers on aspects of collective agreement enforcement and collective bargaining. The Staff Lawyer also provides legal advice on interpretation of legislative provisions and the terms and conditions of employment for teachers.
The position includes appearing as counsel before arbitration panels, the Labour Relations Board, Human Rights Tribunal, the Teacher Regulation Branch, other administrative tribunals and in court; providing legal advice to Field Service Division staff and locals; conducting grievance assessments; providing legal advice during contract negotiations; providing legal advice to the BCTF on other issues as needed; conducting legal research and drafting submissions; and providing training programs for staff and local officers.
Principal duties and responsibilities
- Provides legal advice to the Federation and its locals, including advice on the terms of teachers’ employment, matters arising from employment and/or membership in the union, the collective bargaining relationship and related matters, school district harassment investigations, privacy issues, and other issues as required.
- Conducts assessment of grievances; determines in consultation with field staff the disposition of grievances.
- Acts as counsel for the union in arbitrations, Labour Relations Board, Human Rights Tribunal, and other administrative proceedings.
- Acts as counsel for the union in court proceedings.
- Acts as counsel for members in Teacher Regulation Branch cases.
- Analyses and interprets legislation.
- Trains or assists in the training of officers, staff, and local leaders; organizes and/or prepares and presents a variety of workshops on labour relations and related topics.
- Administration of legal advice, assistance, and legal aid to members in accordance with procedure 19.04 of the BCTF Members’ Guide as specified by General Counsel.
- Works with and provides instructions to outside counsel as required.
- Delegates work to and oversees the work of the division’s Paralegal staff.
Other duties and responsibilities
- Provides analysis of grievances and grievance-related issues, including for addition to the grievance database.
- Represents BCTF to external committees, agencies, and organizations as assigned.
- Prepares detailed reports and recommendations on labour relations issues; writes articles and briefs.
- Responsible for other legal duties and BCTF initiatives as assigned.
Required qualifications
- Education
- Successful completion of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD).
- Successful completion of bar admissions and status as a current practicing member of a law society in a Canadian province or territory.
- Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years recent experience practicing labour law or five (5) years recent experience practicing in another field of law that includes barrister work.
- Experience interviewing witnesses.
- Experience conducting legal research and drafting submissions to labour arbitrators, administrative tribunals, and/or the courts.
- Experience appearing as counsel before labour arbitrators, administrative tribunals, and/or the courts, including examination of witnesses.
- Experience acting as counsel in settlement negotiations and appearing as counsel in mediations.
- Skills and abilities
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and mediation skills.
- Excellent time management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strategic thinker with a collaborative and creative approach to problem solving.
- Ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy, tact, and discretion.
- Ability to function successfully both within a team and with direction.
- Other desired qualifications
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
- Flexibility to travel.
- Ability to communicate in French would be an asset.
- Understanding of issues of social justice, equity, diversity, decolonization, and inclusion (JEDDI) with a desire to further develop in this area.
Compensation
A competitive compensation package will be provided including a starting salary of $106,518.76 per annum (however, may differ if applicant has previous BCTF staff experience), a Special Allowance of $3,176.84 per annum, a Responsibility Allowance of $8,895.14 per annum, and excellent benefits including:
- extended health and dental (employer paid)
- long-term disability
- life insurance (employer paid)
- Teachers’ Pension Plan (shared contribution)
- seven (7) weeks of vacation per year
- thirty-five (35) hours weekly schedule Monday to Friday with flexible work hours
- generous professional development allowance
- ·on-site parking available
- Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- a supportive team environment.
Only applications received in writing by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023, will be considered. Please submit a letter of application and résumé, including reference contact information, via the link A0304-2023-01.
Appointment date
March 6, 2023, or a mutually agreed upon date, and ending on August 31, 2027.
Deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m., February 20, 2023
Diversity and accessibility statements
The BC Teachers’ Federation is committed to furthering social justice, diversity, decolonization, equity, and inclusion within our community. Because the BCTF has an affirmative action policy, applicants are encouraged to disclose, on a voluntary basis, whether they self-identify as a member of an equity-deserving group, which includes female (and self-identifying women), 2SLGBTQIA+ person, a person of colour, a person who has experienced racism, Aboriginal (Indigenous) person, and/or a person with a disability.
The BCTF strives for compliance with the Accessible British Columbia Act and ensuring our communities are as barrier-free as possible. Applicants requiring an accommodation are encouraged to contact the hiring manager.