Graduate Solicitor x 2 (Custody Notification Service), Criminal Law Practice
Full-Time | Fixed Term till 27th June 2025 | Redfern and Kempsey
- Make a difference by providing legal support to Aboriginal individuals in custody through strong advocacy.
- Work in a culturally rich environment, respecting Aboriginal cultural practices while addressing legal needs.
- Stay updated on criminal law and contribute to workplace health and safety, ethics, and diversity practices.
Primary Purpose of the role
We have two exciting opportunities available in our Redfern and Kempsey offices for Graduate Solicitors. The primary responsibility of the Solicitor, Custody Notification Service (CNS), Criminal Law Practice is to provide (within a dedicated team) a 24-hour legal advice and support phone line for Aboriginal people taken into police custody. In particular, the position holder will:
- Provide legal advice and support over the CNS telephone to persons in custody
- Assess if the person in custody is facing any self-harm threat or requires any duty of care notification or response
- Contact the person’s family and/or an Aboriginal Field Officer to ensure parental or family concern for their whereabouts and health are minimised, and complete CNS forms and logs
Why join the ALS team?
At the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) you can make an impact. You will join a strong movement fighting for social justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.
Our focus is our people: the people we support and the people we employ. We offer a career you can be proud of and a place where you feel safe to be yourself. We invest in our people and appreciate the rich diversity of lived experiences, languages, and culture.
Born out of a protest movement over 50 years ago, the ALS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW and the ACT. It’s an exciting time to be joining us. We recently received additional funding to deliver a range of new programs aimed at addressing systemic issues and driving structural reforms. This is creating significant opportunities for the ALS, our staff and communities.
As well as the satisfaction of working in a job that really matters, we offer our staff benefits including:
- Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax liability and maximise take-home pay
- Annual leave loading of 17.5%
- Career and professional development opportunities
- Access to personal counselling for you and your family
- Additional paid leave of up to 6 days per year, paid parental and study leave
- Flexible work options – talk to us about how we can make this role work for you
About the role
Solicitor (Custody Notification Service), in criminal Law Practice will be reporting to the Cluster Manager/Managing Solicitor, you'll work closely with the CEO to advance our mission of achieving justice for Indigenous communities. Your role involves internal collaboration and external liaison with stakeholders, making independent decisions within legal frameworks.
The Solicitor Custody Notification Service will be responsible for below responsibilities which are not limited to:
- Provide legal advice to Aboriginal individuals in custody via the CNS telephone service.
- Manage CNS forms and logs, referring relevant matters to the Managing Solicitor.
- Handle weekend and out-of-hours shifts for the CNS phone line.
- Support the local office in Criminal Law representation and appearance matters.
- Liaise with families, providing timely support as needed, and update the Managing Solicitor on custody-related matters.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of criminal law, court procedures, and ensure compliance with ALS policies and workplace health and safety regulations.
About you
We’re looking for someone who brings:
- Cultural competency in working with Aboriginal communities, respecting cultural practices.
- Legal qualifications with a NSW Practicing Certificate or ability to obtain one promptly.
- Proficiency in Criminal Law, including practice and procedure.
- Ability to understand legal issues faced by disadvantaged Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islanders.
- Strong advisory and advocacy skills, providing quality legal advice to Aboriginal individuals in custody.
- Excellent communication skills, deadline management, and commitment to workplace safety, ethics, and diversity.
Pre-employment requirements:
ALS is committed to implementing safe recruitment practices. Your application may be subject to pre-employment checks such as reference checks, Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check, Right to work in Australia, COVID-19 vaccinations and National Police History check.
Please apply promptly, as we may shortlist and commence interviews within the advertising period. A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 12 months.
How to apply
- View the full position description
- Please send an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to [email protected]
- If you have any enquiries or would like to discuss the role, please contact our recruitment team at [email protected]
Applications for this position close at 11:59 PM Sunday 05 May 2024.