Community Legal Worker

CICS is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower newcomers in settling and integrating as contributing members of Canadian society through diverse, professional and innovative programs and services. We work to enable newcomers to fully integrate, participate and contribute to all spheres of Canadian society. Our success stems from our workforce culture bound by three core values: Compassion, Inclusion and Collaboration.

Ref.: 08-26/Community Legal Worker

Job Title: Community Legal Worker – Tenant Support.

Contract until March 31, 2027, (with possibility of renewal pending the availability of funding)

Work location: CICS Toronto locations and other community locations as assigned

Team: Toronto Settlement and Integration Services

Hours: 35 hours per week; require working irregular hours including evenings, weekends and some holidays

Salary Range:$63,544 to $71,544

Current Rate: $34.92 per hour

Status: Unionized

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Community legal worker – tenant support provides critical support to tenants in City of Toronto navigating legal and housing-related challenges. This role focuses on legal assistance, case management, outreach, education, and advocacy to empower tenants—particularly underserved and marginalized groups in private rental market — in understanding and exercising their rights.

1. Legal Services & Advocacy

• Providing one-on-one legal assistance to clients in legal proceedings (LTB, documentation, legal letters).
• Guiding clients through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) process.
• Drafting letters and legal communications.
• Increasing awareness and educating tenants on housing laws and city by-laws, such as City of Toronto Renoviction by-laws.
• Advocating for underserved and marginalized groups (newcomers, 2SLGBTQI+, individuals with disabilities, etc.).

2. Case Management & Client Support

• Providing case management, tracking progress, and ensuring follow-ups.
• Completing tenant assessments and making referrals to relevant services.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential client records in compliance with funder and organizational requirements.
• Supporting tenants with interactive information services via website, phone, forums, social media, and email inquiries.

3. Outreach & Community Education

• Conducting community outreach and education sessions on tenant rights and available resources.
• Engaging and maintaining relationships with service providers and stakeholders to promote tenant rights.
• Conducting training for frontline workers from newcomer serving organizations on tenant rights, resources and legislation to enhance multilingual tenant support.
• Designing and managing social media resources to disseminate tenant-related information.
• Enhancing community engagement by leveraging City of Toronto resources and campaigns.
• Establish, build, and maintain internal and external relationships for purposes of referring clients to aid their immediate needs on housing support;
• Attend meetings as required, for partnership, collaboration, information sharing and networking;
• Actively participate in cross-functional programs from need assessment, design, development, to delivery of programs;
• Positively represent CICS and promote program and services in the community.

Qualifications:

• University degree from a recognized institution or equivalent;
• Completion of a Canadian accredited legal program or equivalent in legal studies, paralegal or a related discipline;
• Minimum 2 years of related work experience, preferably in a front-line paralegal service with focus on housing services role or within a non-profit setting focused on housing and tenant support;
• Strong understanding of Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) procedures.
• Ability to interpret and explain legal documents, landlord-tenant laws, and tenant rights to clients.
• Experience in preparing legal documents, drafting letters, and advocating for tenants in housing disputes.
• Proven ability to develop educational materials, resources, and social media content related to tenant rights and housing policies.
• Strong case management skills, including tracking client progress, maintaining confidential records, and providing timely follow-ups.
• Ability to provide referrals and collaborate with community partners and legal professionals to connect clients with appropriate services.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent understanding of the cultural and social backgrounds of immigrants and refugees, including their settlement and integration challenges.
• Experience delivering tenant support services and addressing tenant issues, particularly related to evictions and housing affordability (an asset).
• Experience working with marginalized and underserved communities, including newcomers, 2SLGBTQI+, individuals with disabilities, single parents, and racialized populations (an asset).
• Established expertise in program coordination, service referrals, community outreach, and partnership development to promote tenant support services.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in a second language of Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese is required.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and with diverse age groups.
• Proficiency in online platforms (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams) and social media for delivering workshops, events, and services.
• Strong technical skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and internet research.
• Flexibility to travel within the GTA and availability to work evenings and weekends as required.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to perform some physical activities (e.g. lifting and loading program materials and office equipment);
• A negative result in Vulnerable Sector Screening is mandatory;
• Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a car to carry out duties is preferred.

Resume and cover letter are to be sent to CICS by email: hr@cicscanada.com by May 04, 2026.

Applicant should quote Job # 08-26 / Tenant Support Community Legal Worker and address the cover letter to: CICS Hiring Committee, 2330 Midland Ave, Toronto, ON M1S 5G5

CICS is an equal opportunity employer. We provide accommodations during the recruitment process for persons with disabilities if required. This will be in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act and Ontario Human Rights Code. We thank all those who respond to this posting. Only those selected for further screening will be contacted. No telephone enquiries, please.