159217 - Legal Counsel 1

Work Location
Exec - 601 W. Broadway, 11 flr
Home Worksite
00 - Excluded - VCHA
Labour Agreement
Excluded
Union
905 - Mgt/Excluded-VCHA (37.5 Hr)
Position Type
Other Relief
Job Status
Temporary Full-Time
FTE
1.00
Standard Hours / Week
37.50
Job Category
Leaders & Corporate Support
Salary Grade
08
Min Hourly
CAD $45.48/Hr.
Max Hourly
CAD $65.38/Hr.
Shift Times
0830-1630
Days Off
Saturday, Stats, Sunday
End Date
7/2/2027

Come work as a Legal Counsel 1 with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Reporting to Senior Legal Counsel, the Legal Counsel 1 possesses strong legal research, legal analysis, and client relations skills required to provide a broad range of legal support and advice to leaders and staff across all levels at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). The Legal Counsel will work closely with the Senior Legal Counsel as part of an in-house legal team to support VCH leaders, managers, and staff, with a primary focus on labour and employment law, including representing VCH in grievances and uninsured legal proceedings, as well as providing advice on workplace investigations, discipline, performance management and other employment-related issues. In addition, the Legal Counsel supports the broader health law and disputes legal team by providing advice in areas such as general health law, mental health law, adult guardianship, public health, risk management, health care consent and decision-making, and medical affairs. The Legal Counsel anticipates and identifies legal issues, and advises decision-makers and other internal stakeholders on legal strategies and solutions to mitigate legal risk.

Please note that this role is a temporary full time opportunity until approximately July 2027, or return of incumbent.

As a Legal Counsel 1 with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Interpret legal framework applicable to public healthcare sector and advises on impact to the organization, programs, services and staff, with a primary focus on labour and employment law.

• Provide legal research, advice and opinions to HR/LR advisors and directors, VCH leadership and staff as well as other members of the Legal Services team to enable effective and patient centered decision-making.

• Manage grievances, litigation and administrative tribunal matters as assigned, and liaise with client leaders, external counsel, and legal counsel in other public bodies, as required.

• Anticipate and identify legal issues and advise internal partners on legal strategies and solutions to mitigate legal risk.

• Provide analysis, support and recommendations on VCH policies, procedures and practices.

• Work closely with a diverse set of professionals including, HR/LR advisors and directors, workplace disability advisors, professional practice leaders, physician leaders, mental health, health protection and adult protection leaders, risk management and other clinical and corporate functions, to provide legal support on various VCH projects and strategic initiatives.

• Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep up-to-date with industry trends, new/revised legislation and developing case law.

• Perform other job related duties.

Education & Experience

• Law Degree from a recognized University and engaged in active legal practice for a period of at least three (3) years (not including articling).

• Labour and employment experience required.

• Health care experience or health law advising experience is an asset.

• Familiarity with litigation or administrative law processes is an asset.

• Familiarity with employment and labour law is an asset.

• A member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia (or eligible for membership within a specified period).

Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of and familiarity with the legal framework governing public sector organizations in the province, with particular focus on the healthcare system.

• Knowledge of administrative law.

• Knowledge of employment and labour law.

• Strong ability to foster and maintain positive relationships with various internal and external stakeholders and team members.

• Ability to provide timely and practical legal advice and guidance

• Ability to develop and bring forward solutions and communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) with a wide variety of audiences.

• Strong legal research and legal analysis skills.

• Exemplary interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to multitask effectively.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and 'going first' when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.

***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.