CLIENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS

Care Protection & Family Law Practice

Full-time and part-time hours available | Sydney and Newcastle

This is an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander identified position which is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

ABOUT THE ALS

Born out of a protest movement, the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited is the primary legal service for Aboriginal people in NSW and the ACT. Our vision is to achieve social justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

We offer a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment. We’re passionate about what we do and we work hard. The ALS values the health and wellbeing of our employees and we are proud to offer flexible work practices. Staff can choose to take advantage of benefits including salary packaging to maximise take-home pay.

The Care Protection and Family Law Practice is a holistic service providing legal representation, advice, casework assistance and referrals to Aboriginal families impacted or affected by family violence and contact with the child protection system. The practice also seeks to provide early support around intervention and community education around alternative pathways to ensure children are not removed from families and communities. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The primary responsibility of the Client and Community Engagement Officer is to provide high quality referral and information services for clients of the Aboriginal Legal Service, and, to work closely with care & protection and family law solicitors to provide holistic legal services to ALS clients.

The position also plays an active role in Community Legal Education using a variety of engagement techniques; including using technology to assist in effectively delivering services.

The Client and Community Engagement Officer also provides information to solicitors regarding relevant legal issues arising in communities, relating to care and protection, family law and family violence. They attend relevant community meetings and represent the ALS on relevant working parties, as requested.

ABOUT YOU

You will identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and be accepted as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person in the community in which you live.

You will have strong knowledge and a deep appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal communities combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices when considering service delivery and other support for clients, their families, communities, and staff. 

You will be able to:

• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice
• Have knowledge and understanding of social justice issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in the legal system
• Have experience with referral services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients involved in the legal system
• Be able to produce high-quality, accurate and relevant reports regarding client engagement, and outcomes of client support and referrals
• Problem-solving skills and work autonomously and within a team
• Have excellent word processing and computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite
• A willingness and ability to travel to regional, metropolitan, and interstate locations for work purposes if required

HOW TO APPLY

Please CLICK HERE to download a copy of the ALS application package for this role. Submit your application to Mary Day (Regional Administration Coordinator) at [email protected]. Only candidates with completed application packages will be considered.

Applications for this position close at 5pm on Wednesday 7 September 2022.