Full Time Position (37.5 hours per week), 12 month contract About Canberra Community Law (CCL) Canberra Community Law (CCL) is an independent community legal centre providing flexible and accessible legal services free of charge to people facing financial disadvantage or other barriers to accessing the justice system. CCL has been part of the Canberra Community for 40 years, responding to the changing legal demand in the ACT with trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and holistic legal services. CCL's programs, including our Street Law program, empower clients and the broader community to improve their quality of life.
CCL collaborates with social support services, other community-based legal services, and Commonwealth and Territory government to realise our vision of a fair and thriving community. We are the only free legal service in the ACT that specializes in social housing, social security, disability, race discrimination, and homelessness law.
CCL's legal team works with our Disability Justice Liaison Officer to support clients with disabilities and other access needs. We also collaborate with a Social Worker through our Socio-Legal Practice Clinic (SLP Clinic) to offer intensive support to those facing multiple barriers to resolving their legal issues.
CCL operates a range of specialist legal services for specific groups facing systemic barriers to justice, including our Dhurrawang Aboriginal Human Rights Program, Mental Health Justice Clinic, Parachute, and Street Law. Street Law is an outreach legal service assisting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
CCL also undertakes community legal education and law reform work and is a leading voice for change in the ACT and region.
For further information about CCL, please visit our website at www.canberracommunitylaw.org.au.
Position Identification Position Title: Street Law Solicitor Direct Report To: Street Law Supervising Solicitor, ultimately accountable to the Executive Director/Principal Solicitor
Employment Status: Full Time, 12 month contract
Employment Conditions: Employed under the Community Sector Multiple Enterprise Agreement (ACT) 2014-2018
Salary: $85,398 to $111,667 (depending on qualifications and post-admission experience) per annum, pro rata + superannuation + salary packaging options.
Opportunities for professional development and a workplace culture that is dedicated, collaborative, and dynamic.
The Street Law program provides referral and targeted legal services to clients experiencing or at risk of homelessness through an outreach service delivery model. This position will provide legal services to CCL's Street Law clients, including outreach services, warm referrals, discrete legal services, ongoing casework assistance, and representation in Tribunal/Court matters, with a specific focus on vulnerable women.
The position will also involve community legal education training, attending stakeholder forums, and working on law reform and community development projects.
The Street Law team includes a Street Law Supervising Solicitor and a Street Law Solicitor (Full Time).
Note: Being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification under s34 of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT).
Responsibilities GeneralThe Street Law Solicitor is required to work as a team member to further CCL's objectives.The position must operate within CCL's policies and practices.Accountable to CCL's Executive Director/Principal Solicitor, reporting to the Street Law Supervising Solicitor.2. Key Responsibilities The Street Law Solicitor will:
Attend Street Law's Outreach services on a roster basis.Provide warm referrals, initial advice, and ongoing casework assistance to clients following CCL's legal assistance guidelines.Collaborate with CCL's social worker and disability justice liaison officer to meet client needs.Represent clients in Tribunal/Court matters as required.Ensure accurate collection of client data and service provision.Identify advice and advocacy needs of Street Law's client base.Attend regular staff meetings as required.Travel as required.Participate in community legal education training and activities.Attend stakeholder forums and liaise with community organizations as required.Work on law reform and community development projects as required.Undertake administrative tasks as needed.Other relevant duties as directed by Street Law's Supervising Solicitor or Executive Director/Principal Solicitor.Selection Criteria Demonstrated understanding of issues impacting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.Capacity to advocate for and work effectively with disadvantaged clients in a generalist legal outreach service.Good organizational, time management, and file management skills.Ability to work as part of a team under supervision and supervise volunteers, students, and secondees.Highly developed oral and written communication skills, presenting information clearly and concisely, with excellent computer skills.Holder of or eligible for a practising certificate in the ACT.Holder of or eligible to obtain a driver's licence.Experience working in a community-based environment.Knowledge of the ACT Legal Sector.Experience working with disadvantaged clients and communities.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply.
How to apply Applications should be addressed to the Executive Director/Principal Solicitor, Canberra Community Law, and include a cover letter, resume, and statement addressing the selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
Shortlisting for interviews will be based on responses to the selection criteria.
Applications should be submitted by email to ******.
If you have any queries regarding this position, please contact Genevieve Bolton, Executive Director/Principal Solicitor at ****** or by phone at (02) 6218 7922.
Closing Date for Applications is Monday 20 January 2025.
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