Nowra, NSW | Full Time | 24 Months Fixed Term 

Primary purpose of the role 

The primary objective of the position is to deliver of culturally appropriate legal advice, and representation to clients experiencing or at risk of family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault in accordance with the ALS policies, procedures and guidelines in care & protection, family law and civil law, including early intervention and outreach services, community legal education and referrals.   

Why join the ALS NSW/ACT team? 

At Aboriginal Legal Services NSW/ACT you will make an impactful change. You have the chance to change lives and bring social justice and equity for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities. Our focus is our people; the people we support, and the team 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 workforce and appreciate the rich diversity they represent of life experience, languages, and culture.  

 Born out of a protest movement over 50 years ago, the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited is the primary legal service for Aboriginal people in NSW and the ACT. It’s an exciting time for the ALS, with both our services and teams growing significantly. We recently received additional government funding to deliver a range of new programs aimed at addressing systemic issues and driving structural reforms. This is creating unprecedented opportunities for the ALS and our communities.   
   
For many of our staff making a real difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities and working with a great, supportive team is its own reward.  
   
We appreciate that, but we want our team to know that we value them so offer benefits such as: 

• Salary packaging options and novated car leasing 
• Annual Leave Loading of 17.5% 
• Career and professional development opportunities 
• Access to personal counselling for you and your family 
• A range of additional paid leave, paid parental and study leave 
• Flexible work options – talk to us about how we can make this role work for you 

The Role  

The Junior Solicitor role will be part of the Family Violence Prevention Unit (FVPU). The primary objective of the ALS FVPU is to provide culturally sensitive, quality legal assistance and facilitate wraparound services to Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander victims of violence and survivors of family and domestic violence and sexual assault. Aboriginal and Torres Strait  Islander victims and survivors of family violence and sexual assault should be supported and empowered to lead lives free from the impacts of violence and have access to culturally safe legal and non-legal support services  

Key Responsibilities  

• Providing high quality and culturally appropriate legal advice and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in domestic and family violence, civil law, care and protection and family law and undertaking court responsibilities.   
• Communicating with, taking instructions from, and effectively representing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients experiencing family and domestic violence who may present as distressed, have a physical or intellectual disability, or have problem behaviours such as drug or alcohol addictions, when the legal concepts involved are complex and difficult for the client to understand.   
• Attending Duty Lawyer Services for domestic and family violence matters at designated local courts.     
• Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of a diverse range of emerging legal issues, case law and court procedures     
• Maintaining and enhancing professional competence, including maintaining a practising certificate, changes in ALS policies, systems, guidelines, practices and community needs.     
• Maintaining all files in an orderly and professional manner, including the recording of all data for statistical purposes.    
• Managing systems and technology which have a significant impact on the legal practice, including adapting to and enhancing the use of these systems.     
• Working collaboratively as a team member and manage a busy workload.      
• Contributing to submissions on law reform and policy and representing the ALS-FVPU at meetings with stakeholders, conferences and seminars as directed.    
• Delivering targeted community legal education and outreach services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and clients      
• Ensuring all duties and activities are carried out in an ethical manner, complying with ALS policies, procedures and any other applicable guidelines or legislation.   

About you  

 The successful incumbent will demonstrate: 

• Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices when considering service delivery and other support for clients, their families, communities and staff.   
•  Understanding of the dynamics of family and domestic violence and its effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.       
• Legal qualifications and a current NSW Practising Certificate (or be able to obtain one immediately).     
• Proven capacity to identify and understand legal issues facing socially and economically disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples.     
• Capacity and motivation to provide quality legal representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait people in communities.     
• Excellent written and oral communication skills combined with strong time management, legal research, analytical and problem-solving skills.    
• Ability to meet deadlines, work autonomously and manage a diverse workload.      

Desirable 

• Experience working in Family and Domestic Violence, Care & Protection and/or Family Law 
• Experience conducting matters in Local Courts/Magistrate’s Courts, Children’s Court, Family Court, District Court, Supreme Court. 

Pre-employment requirements:  
   
ALS NSW/ACT is committed to implementing safer recruitment practices. Your application may be subject to a number of 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 as per NSW/ACT Health Order and Police check.  Please note that candidates with criminal records are not automatically barred from being considered. Each application will be considered on its merits 

 
   
How to apply: 

1. Download the position description here

1. Please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected] 

Closing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 20 November 2023