Vice-Chair Position Description

Purpose

Vice-Chairs are Members of one or more of Social Justice Tribunals Ontario's tribunals (the Child and Family Services Review Board, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, the Custody Review Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Social Benefits Tribunal and the Ontario Special Education Tribunals [English and French]).

In addition to the duties and responsibilities of a Member, Vice Chairs may be assigned a leadership role within their tribunal or across SJTO.

Key Duties

As assigned by the Executive Chair or an Associate Chair, a Vice-Chair:

1. Conducts hearings or mediations, including those involving complex or novel issues of law or procedure and contributes to the jurisprudential leadership of one or more tribunals.
2. Serves as a team leader or mentor, and in that capacity may:
   1. provide day-to-day guidance, assistance and mentorship to Members or Vice-Chairs assigned to his or her team;
   2. assign work to team members;
   3. participate in peer review of decisions drafted by team members while reinforcing their responsibility for the final decision and avoiding any undue interference with the substance of their decision;
   4. assess the performance of team members; and
   5. respond to public complaints about members.
3. Leads training and development programs across SJTO.
4. Plays a role in enhancing the reputation of SJTO with the public and in the justice community by maintaining positive and productive relationships with stakeholders, those who appear before SJTO, and with other tribunals. Participates in assigned activities for these purposes.
5. Contributes to initiatives that advance the effectiveness, efficiency and fairness of SJTO rules and processes, adjudicative excellence and access to justice.
6. Leads committees and undertakes special projects and assignments.
7. Acts in the place of an Associate Chair who is absent or unable to act.

Qualifications

A Vice-Chair will have all of the qualifications of a Member plus the following:

1. Leadership skills, tact and judgment to guide, mentor, assign, review and support teams of Members and Vice Chairs outside of a formal reporting relationship.
2. In-depth understanding of the professional, institutional, policy and community context in which SJTO operates.
3. Detailed understanding of the jurisprudence and SJTO rules and guidelines that are applicable to the tribunal(s) of which they are a member and of the work, policies and procedures of SJTO's other tribunals.
4. Comprehensive practical knowledge of the continuum of dispute resolution practices in order to be able to mentor and coach others, and to recommend options for change.
5. Advanced dispute resolution and analytical skills to resolve complex matters involving multiple interests, under public scrutiny.
6. Superior writing skills to communicate, review and comment on complex decisions in a manner that is clear, concise and intelligible.
7. Effective communication and interpersonal skills to positively influence and communicate with Members, staff and stakeholders.
8. Knowledge of and commitment to SJTO governance practices.