[Newcastle | Full-time | Fixed-term/Contract]
About the role
The purpose of the role is to deliver culturally appropriate legal advice and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence. The role will also manage the caseloads of the legal service within the Legal Assistance program and liaise with a small legal team.
See Position Description in the Application Package for more details.
About the Legal Assistance Program
The role is part of a new legal assistance program, which provides legal and wraparound services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence. The program will include a trauma-informed community outreach model and be based in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter regions.
About the role
The purpose of the role is to deliver culturally appropriate legal advice and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence. The role will also manage the caseloads of the legal service within the Legal Assistance program and liaise with a small legal team.
Why Join the ALS NSW/ACT?
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:
- Salary packaging options and novated car leasing - meaning your fortnightly take home pay is more than it would otherwise be.
- 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.
What you’ll bring to the role
- Legal qualifications and a current Practicing Certificate issued by the Law Society of NSW
- Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices when considering service delivery and other support for clients, their families, communities and employees
- Knowledge, experience and understanding of domestic violence, care & protection/family, case law and court proceedings, and where the different practices intersect
- Proven ability to use this knowledge and experience to creatively achieve positive outcomes for the safety and empowerment of clients
- Proven ability to manage the caseloads and workloads of a small law practice and supervise staff
- Understanding of the dynamics of family and domestic violence and its effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families
- Capacity to represent clients and undertake an advocacy role before courts or tribunals
- Highly developed written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to adapt to change and work in a start-up environment
- Current NSW driver’s license with the ability to travel intrastate (desirable)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are encouraged to apply.
How to apply
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Please submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to [email protected]
- When sending your application, please ensure you include the reference number 2023-24 in subject title
- If you have any enquiries or would like to discuss the role, please contact our recruitment team at [email protected]