Full-Time | Fixed-Term (24 Months) | Newcastle, NSW
Primary Purpose of the Role
The Aboriginal Legal Service is offering an exciting opportunity to for an experienced Solicitor to join our Family Violence Prevention Unit.
The primary objective of this position is to support the delivery 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 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
The position will be part of the Family Violence Prevention Unit Team.
Key responsibilities will include:
- 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.
- Attend Duty Lawyer Services for domestic and family violence matters at designated local courts.
- Maintaining and enhancing professional competence, including maintaining a practising certificate, changes in ALS policies, systems, guidelines, practices and community needs.
- Ensuring the lawful achievement of ALS core business objectives to the highest standards of probity and efficiency, and with due reference to the interests of all stakeholders.
- Effectively balancing the requirements of managing a busy caseload with contributions to submissions on law reform and policy.
- Actively seek opportunities to deliver targeted community legal education on domestic and family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault, Care and Protection and Family Law to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and clients.
About You
We’re looking for someone who brings:
- 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.
- Up-to-date knowledge of and experience in family and domestic violence, care & protection and family law matters in NSW including Court practice and procedure.
- Capacity and motivation to provide quality legal representation to Aboriginal people in rural and remote communities.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills combined with strong time management, legal research and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines, work autonomously and manage a diverse workload
- Excellent analytical and research skills.
- Ability to travel to ALS’ various offices. An inherent requirement of the job is the ability to independently travel to regional locations by car for work purposes.
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.
How to Apply:
- View position description
- Please submit your up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to [email protected]
- If you have questions about this role, please email [email protected]
Closure Date: 11:59pm, 18th February 2024
Please apply promptly, as we may shortlist and commence interviews within the advertising period