Migrant Workers Centre

Staff Lawyer, Okanagan Legal Clinic

FULL-TIME, PERMANENT POSITION

Salary range for this position is between $83,000 to $104,000 per year.

Deadline: End of Day October 2, 2026

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Migrant Workers Centre (MWC) is seeking a Staff Lawyer to provide summary legal advice and full
representation to agricultural migrant workers in the Okanagan region, conduct public legal education, and
advocate for policy and legal reform.

Context for the role

Funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia’s Racial Justice Grants, the Okanagan Legal Clinic Project
aims to address systemic racism in Canada’s immigration system, particularly in the context of the Primary
Agricultural Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), including the Seasonal Agricultural
Worker Program (SAWP). The harvesting economy of British Columbia’s Okanagan region depends on
migrant agricultural workers; however, these workers are uniquely vulnerable to exploitation and abuse in the
sector. Many are routinely subject to employment standards violations, forced to live in substandard conditions,
and denied proper medical care or compensation for workplace injuries. Migrant workers are tied to the
employers who hire them. If they complain about abuses, they may face threats of deportation, blacklisting or
other retaliation. Despite their essential labour, they are largely excluded from Canadian citizenship.
The purpose of this role is to provide summary legal advice and full representation to agricultural migrant
workers in the Okanagan region, as well as to advocate for policy and legal reform to improve laws and
policies that affect migrant workers.

Responsibilities

The Staff Lawyer will report to the Legal Director and will work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary
team that includes MWC’s Okanagan-based Intake Manager. The Staff Lawyer’s responsibilities include:

  • Support agricultural migrant workers in British Columbia by providing summary legal advice and full
    representation, with a particular focus on immigration law and employment law (including civil,
    employment standards, human rights, and WorkSafeBC);
  • Work closely with workers and the Okanagan Legal Clinic’s Intake Manager to identify the needs and
    priorities of agricultural migrant workers;
  • Work closely with the Legal Director to set the goals of the Okanagan Legal Clinic;
  • Engage in systemic advocacy for law and policy reform:
    • Attend meetings of MWC’s Advocacy Committee to discuss the needs and advocacy priorities of agricultural migrant workers in BC.
    • Publish and disseminate legal or policy updates addressing material changes or persistent issues affecting migrant agricultural workers (e.g. Seasonal Agricultural Work Permit contracts, TFWP-Agri-stream, agri-employer-provided accommodations requirements).
  • Develop relationships with other organizations representing and serving migrant workers in the
    community to better support workers.
  • Provide activity reports and statistical information for the purposes of reporting to the funder.

Qualifications

  • Current member or eligible for membership of the Law Society of British Columbia
  • At least two years of experience practicing immigration and/or employment law
  • Understanding of the issues and barriers faced by migrant agricultural workers in interacting with the
    legal system. A commitment to equity and solidarity with migrant workers.
  • Cultural awareness and ability to work with newcomers from various cultural communities.
  • Experience in drafting policy papers or documents explaining policy proposals is an asset
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to communicate complex ideas
    effectively to a variety of audiences
  • Given the prevalence of Spanish in the agricultural migrant worker community, Spanish language skills
    and/or interest in learning Spanish with MWC’s support are important assets for this position. Ability to
    speak other languages is also an asset.
  • Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice is an asset
  • Experience establishing and maintaining working relationships with community partners
  • Driver’s license and access to a vehicle for occasional site visits or travel paid by MWC.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is between $83,000 to $104,000 per year, commensurate with skills and
experience. MWC also provides:

  • Flexible work arrangements;
  • Up to two free counselling sessions per month with the clinician of your choice;
  • Extended health and dental benefits;
  • Participation in the BC Municipal Pension Plan, a generous defined benefits plan, with matching
    employer contributions of 9.3% of earnings
  • Four weeks’ vacation on the first year and an office closure on the last week of each year;
  • A Flex Day policy that earns one day off work for every three weeks worked; and
  • A compassionate and flexible Wellness Leave policy starting at fifteen days per year.

Other Terms

The candidate will be required to be present in Kelowna several times a month to participate in
community events and to be generally accessible to Migrant Workers for in-person meetings. MWC
may be able to cover some of the travel costs required for applicants not residing in Kelowna, but our
strong preference will be for applicants living in the community or surrounding areas.

We anticipate that the Staff Lawyer will do a combination of remote-based and in-person work, subject
to public health orders and guidance, MWC’s own policies, and individual health needs.

Occasional evening and weekend work is required to properly respond to the needs of the community.
Time off in lieu is provided.

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