Junior Lawyer

Job Description Make a Difference in the Wheatbelt Community!
Are you ready to take the next step in your legal career and make a significant impact in a picturesque country town?
Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre is offering a unique opportunity for a passionate Junior Lawyer to support our dynamic team in Northam.
This role is ideal for a Junior Lawyer looking to build their career, wanting to work in a mission-driven organisation with a collaborative team, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance and enjoying a rural lifestyle just an hour's drive from a major city.
About Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre provides vital legal advice, representation, and advocacy to disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals living in the Wheatbelt.
We are dedicated to delivering quality, accessible and responsible legal services to the Wheatbelt.
The Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre is located in picturesque town of Northam Northam is just over an hour from Perth, Western Australia's Capital.
It is the largest inland town in Western Australia, situated in the picturesque Avon Valley.
Home to approximately 7,000 people, Northam offers a blend of historical charm, modern amenities, and a vibrant community spirit.
The town is rich in cultural heritage, with various recreational facilities, scenic parks, and heritage sites.
Northam boasts a relaxed, country-town atmosphere with all the conveniences of a larger town.
It has a strong sense of community, active local events, and numerous sports and recreation facilities.
The town provides a balanced lifestyle with rural and urban benefits, making it an attractive place for professionals and families.
About the Role As a Junior Lawyer you will: Undertake the provision of professional, high quality legal advice and representation to clients in areas of family law, family violence matters, minor criminal, minor civil and criminal injuries compensation matters.
Undertake travel to various communities within the Wheatbelt to carry out legal assistance and education on a regular basis (may include overnight stays on occasion).
Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional legal education programs and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and provide guidance and leadership to Wheatbelt community/stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities: In accordance with Wheatbelt CLC's strategic and operational plans, provide advice, referrals, casework assistance, legal representation, law reform and community legal education, throughout the Wheatbelt region; To appear as solicitor and counsel in all courts as required; To work with the Principal Lawyer to ensure that all legal work undertaken by Wheatbelt CLC complies with the requirements of the Legal Profession Act 2008, Legal Profession Conduct Rules WA 2010, Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements and Wheatbelt CLC's policies and practice standards; Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional development programs and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and members of the Community; Contribute to the collaborative relationship between Legal Aid WA, Community Legal Centres WA and other community organisations with whom Wheatbelt CLC interacts; Maintain effective file and diary management systems, administrative systems and procedures and quality assurance procedures as well as maintain statistics and other records required by funding bodies; and Maintain and facilitate Wheatbelt CLC's role within the community and public profile through the preparation of media releases and articles, presentation at meetings, seminars and conferences, and represent Wheatbelt CLC in public forums.
Requirements        What we're looking for?
      Your unique strengths and experiences are what we value most.
We are searching for individuals who can meet most of the following: Hold an unrestricted legal practice certificate in Western Australia.
Demonstrated 2 + years' experience (pqe) in the provision of all aspects of legal service delivery including representation, casework and advice in community-based areas of law, specifically the areas of family law, family violence, criminal law, minor civil and criminal injuries compensation.
Well-developed interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with clients and other persons from diverse backgrounds.
Experience in working collaboratively and effectively within a small team environment as well as with other community service providers.
Proficiency in the use of MS Office (MS Word, Excel, Outlook) to a legal practice and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of Wheatbelt CLC's client database.
Current driver's licence (class c).
Successful applicants will also need a satisfactory National Police Check, Working with Children Check, and working rights in Australia.
Benefits Annual Salary Salary range of between $70,000 - $85,000 per annum depending on experience, plus superannuation.
Conditions under the SCHADS Industry Award 2010 (MA 000100).
  The employer offers salary sacrifice provision up to $15,900 per annum.
Subsidised housing available for first 12 months (rent will be part of a salary package, excluding electricity and any costs associated with the general maintenance of the property).
Relocation expenses of up to $5000 available, with the submission of receipts.
Application Process To apply, please submit a copy of your current resume and a cover letter of no more than two (2) pages addressing your suitability for the position.
Applications close by  11.59pm, Sunday 6 th October 2024.
 Early applications are encouraged as interviews may commence prior to the closing date.
While this role offers flexibility, including the option to work from home.
The majority of responsibilities must be performed in person.
Therefore, it would not be suitable for someone seeking a fully remote position.
For further information, please download the Position Description from the Talenting website using the following link: http://www.talenting.com.au/careers/ .
If you have any questions about the position, please contact our recruitment partner @ Talenting: Leanne Elia on (08) 6244 3222 or by email at  ****** Requirements It's great you are still reading – that means you resonate with the above!
We are searching for someone who can meet most of the following: 1.
Eligibility to hold an unrestricted practising certificate in Western Australia (or restricted practicing certificate if you are applying for the junior role).
2.
Casework and advocacy experience in generalist areas of law (or in the following areas for restricted practitioners: tenancy, child protection, family violence, or family law).
3.
Critical interpersonal communication skills, including communicating with clients with empathy and reflecting on lawyering practice.
4.
Critical written skills, including the ability to write sophisticated legal concepts in plain language.
Sound organisational skills and ability to manage workload, competing demands, meet deadlines and to work effectively as part of a team.
5.
Understanding and commitment to principles of social justice and to working effectively with Indigenous people.
6.
Experience in advising and representing people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and in developing and delivering community education programs.
7.
Personal resilience, adaptability and ability to meet the challenges of remote service delivery.
Successful applicants will need to provide references, a recent WA Police Clearance, current Working with Children's Check, and their working rights in Australia.
Further DESIRABLE criteria 1.
Current driver's license valid for use in WA.
2.
Experience in a community legal practice setting and/or community-based organisation and/or in remote and rural Australia highly regarded.
3.
Experience with Family or Civil law areas highly regarded.
How to apply Submitting your application is easy.
All you need to do is submit your resume and cover letter addressing why you would be a great fit for the role.
Don't be afraid to really showcase your talent and/or potential.
We ask that you please upload your application documents as a PDF.
Time to apply!
Applications close on Thursday 27th April 2023.
Shortlisting and interviews may commence, and appointments made before the closing date, so don't delay.
Apply now via our recruitment partners - https://www.talenting.com.au/careers/.
We are looking to employ at least 1 FTE immediately; other suitable applicants will be successful for the Pool to be considered to fill future vacancies within the next 12 months.
To view the Candidate Information Pack, click here.
KCLS values a diverse workforce with different life experiences, skills, and backgrounds including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, and people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you need a hand with your application.
Have any questions?
Contact Tara Roopra on 08 6244 3222, or via email ******