10/24/2025
🌟 We’re Hiring! Racialized Court Navigator (RCN) 🌟
📍 Location: Ottawa
🕒 Employment Type: Full-Time (Two Years)
🚀 Start Date: ASAP
📅 Application Deadline: November 17, 2025
📧 Apply to: [email protected]
The Racialized Court Navigator (RCN) plays a critical role in supporting racialized individuals who are accused in criminal court proceedings. The RCN helps them and their supporters understand their legal rights, options, responsibilities, and the criminal court process.
The goal is to facilitate equitable access to justice and support fair representation. The position involves close collaboration with youth and families to address root causes of justice involvement, such as poverty, systemic racism, trauma, and lack of access to culturally appropriate resources.
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Primary Responsibilities
• Clearly explain the nature and consequences of criminal allegations faced by the accused.
• Educate accused individuals about their legal rights, responsibilities, and available options (e.g., diversion programs).
• Guide individuals through court processes, including appearances, adjournments, remands, trial scheduling, Judicial Pre-Trials (JPTs), and Crown Pre-Trials (CPTs).
• Refer accused individuals to appropriate legal resources, including Legal Aid and defence counsel.
• Assist with referrals to social, mental health, or addiction-related services and supports.
• Support the preparation of bail plans and explain key bail terms (e.g., bonds, sureties).
• Act as a cultural and communication bridge between the accused and court personnel.
• Raise awareness among justice system actors of cultural values, language needs, and socio-economic factors affecting the accused.
• Provide outreach and education to the broader racialized community about the justice system, diversion programs, and how communities can support individuals in navigating the system.
• Assist in building culturally competent, community-based justice initiatives.
• Liaise with families, schools, and community organizations to provide wraparound support to youth in conflict with the law.
• Organize and/or participate in public education sessions about legal rights, systemic racism, and crime prevention for Black youth and their families.
• Promote culturally grounded community justice initiatives within Ottawa’s Black and newcomer communities.
• Strengthen partnerships between SCFS, justice stakeholders, and youth-serving agencies to build an equitable justice ecosystem.
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Qualifications
• Post-secondary education in Law, Social Work, Criminology, Justice Studies, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Lived experience or strong understanding of the issues facing racialized communities in the justice system.
• Familiarity with the criminal court process and legal terminology.
• Experience working with marginalized or vulnerable populations.
• Experience in case management, mentorship, or youth advocacy.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills.
• Knowledge of culturally competent and trauma-informed practices.
• Multilingual abilities are an asset.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with justice partners, families, and community organizations.
• Strong understanding of systemic racism, youth justice, and social determinants of criminalization.
• Knowledge of the Canadian legal system, youth justice processes, and court procedures.
• Excellent communication, active listening, and conflict-resolution skills.
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Working Conditions
• May involve attending court appearances.
• Will require engagement with the community and legal service providers.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary.
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Application Process
Applicants should submit their resume and cover letter (combined in one document) to [email protected].
All applicants are welcome to apply — particularly Black youth with lived experience in the justice system or community work.
Let’s work together to build a justice system that is fair, equitable, and culturally responsive for all. ⚖️✨
