Community Lawyer Broome, Kimberley Employer: Kimberley Community Legal Services Inc. Work Type/s: Full Time Classification/s: Community Development, Family Services, Tenancy, Legal & Human Rights. Sector/s: Not For Profit (NFP) Location: Broome, WA Job posted on: 27 August, 2016 Applications close: 23 September 2016 Full-time, ongoing; Dynamic, complex, challenging work in the space of civil law and human rights; Attractive employee benefits including salary packaging, rent assistance and additional paid leave over the Christmas/New Year period. Kimberley Community Legal Services (KCLS) provides free legal assistance and outreach across the Kimberley including Kununurra, Broome, Derby, Halls Creek, Wyndham and remote communities. KCLS is the largest remote civil law service in Australia and offers legal advice, assistance and representation in public housing and tenancy matters, family violence, credit and debt, human rights, and general civil law. Our approach is based upon principles of community development, with an emphasis on relationship-building, cultural sensitivity and legal education. We focus on social justice, community participation and collaboration, and quality, pro-active and reflective service delivery, including law reform. The majority of KCLS clients are Aboriginal and we strive to maximise Aboriginal involvement in staffing and management. About You The Community Lawyer will provide high quality legal services with a particular focus on public housing and tenancy matters, child protection, family violence, as well as a generalist civil law practice. The successful applicant will have demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a clientcentred legal environment and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 1
The applicant will be committed to meeting the needs of the most disadvantaged in the community, understand the complex nature of family violence, be responsive to crosscultural settings and will take a holistic approach to their work. The applicant will also be comfortable operating autonomously, have the ability to prioritise and manage multiple and competing demands and undertake outreach services. The position is full-time and based in our satellite office in Broome (with outreach across the West Kimberley). Salary Package Range: $79,294.80 - $87,218.56 depending on relevant experience in tenancy law, family violence, and child protection (comprising base salary under the SCHCADS (WA) Award plus housing allowance) +statutory employer s superannuation contribution. In addition to your salary we offer salary packaging as a public benevolent institution. The position description and further information is attached below or available from: office@kcls.org.au How to apply for this job Applications may be made by forwarding a Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter, including responses to the key selection criteria, by 5.00pm, 23 September 2016 to: Principal Solicitor, Sarouche Razi, sarouche_razi@kcls.org.au using the subject line: Community Lawyer application. Applications must clearly address the key selection criteria. Questions: Please contact Sarouche Razi, Principal Solicitor on (08) 9169 3100 2
About KCLS Kimberley Community Legal Services (KCLS) is an independent, not-for-profit community legal centre, providing access to the legal system, public tenancy support and financial counselling for the most vulnerable. We focus on social justice and human rights, community participation and collaboration, and quality, pro-active and responsive service delivery, including law reform. Our approach is based upon principles of community development, with an emphasis on relationship-building, cultural sensitivity and community legal education. KCLS works with the Kimberley community to deliver a range of outreach services across the Kimberley from its base in Kununurra and satellite office in Broome. Community Lawyer Broome, Kimberley KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Legal Advice and Casework 1.1 Provide high quality legal advice and casework assistance in the following areas: public housing and tenancy law, family violence and child protection, social security law, consumer and credit law, and other civil law areas. 1.2 Maintain personal caseload as negotiated. 1.3 Provide legal information and advice services to community workers. 2. Community Development 2.1 Engage with government and non-government agencies and the community at large in order to build awareness of the service. 2.2 Participate in community networks and build/maintain relationships with referring agencies, key organisations and other stakeholders including community leaders, in areas relevant to the legal service and in particular, family violence. 2.3 Work within a community development framework to develop and deliver outreach programs and services with an emphasis on prevention of family violence. 3. Community Legal Education and Law Reform 3.1 Assist in the development and delivery of culturally appropriate community legal education programs/initiatives targeted to a range of stakeholders groups, professionals, workers and individuals in order to increase their ability to support people with legal issues and to enhance general knowledge of legal rights and obligations so that people can more readily understand, recognise and resolve their own legal problems. 3.2 Conduct training in the provision of legal education to expand the reach of the service. 3.3 Identify law reform priorities and strategies in concert with the Principal Solicitor and KCLS legal team. 3
4. Accountability 4.1 Participate in regular professional supervision with the Principal Solicitor, including establishing a work plan and performance indicators. 4.2 Participate in monthly file reviews with the Principal Solicitor. 4.3 Maintain a constructive teamwork approach. 4.4 Attend staff meetings and contribute to wider program development at KCLS, including evaluation and learning, working groups and communications as required. 4.5 Operate in compliance with organisational policies and procedures. 4.6 Ensure relevant and appropriate records are kept. 4.7 Produce written reports as required. 5. Professional Development 5.1 Undertake appropriate professional development activities in consultation with the Principal Solicitor to maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills required to fulfil the key responsibilities of the position. 4
SELECTION CRITERIA Essential 1. Eligibility to hold a practising certificate in Western Australia. 2. Demonstrated post-admission experience in civil law, with casework experience in tenancy and/or child protection and/or family violence. 3. Sound knowledge and understanding of civil law issues, and particularly with respect to social justice, government policy and Aboriginal affairs. 4. Understanding of and commitment to social justice and demonstrated commitment to delivering legal services to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. 5. Highly developed written and interpersonal communication skills. 6. Demonstrated ability to engage and liaise successfully with a diverse range of stakeholders in the community and government sectors at a senior level. 7. Sound organisational skills with the ability to manage workloads, effectively deal with competing demands and meet deadlines. 8. Ability to work independently and autonomously, and receive instruction remotely. 9. Current drivers licence with no significant penalties that may impact on your ability to drive as part of your work duties. Desirable 1. Unrestricted practicing certificate. 2. Experience working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and with Aboriginal people. 3. Good understanding of community development principles and the ability to work within a community development framework. 4. Experience working within the community sector. Personal Attributes 1. Ability to work autonomously with supervision from a remote office. 2. Ability to work under pressure. 3. Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to assume reasonable additional responsibilities as required. 4. Discretion and professionalism. 5
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS Position: Accountability: Community Lawyer This position is directly accountable and reports to the Principal Solicitor for all matters related to the legal practice of KCLS. KCLS recognises that employees work in a multi-disciplinary team. While this role will provide functional/operational supervision and support to team staff, professional (and legal) supervision and support will be provided to the team s lawyers by the Principal Solicitor. Location: Conditions: Broome and outreach locations across the West Kimberley Full-time. All positions at KCLS are subject to the continuation of external funding. Terms and Conditions are contained in KCLS Employment Terms and Conditions and the applicable legislation. Remuneration: Negotiable based on experience: $79,294.80 - $87,218.56 (comprising SCHCADS (WA) Award 6.1-7.3 plus housing allowance), employer-funded superannuation and the benefits of tax-effective salary packaging. Code of Conduct: KCLS has an established Code of Conduct to ensure and encourage the highest qualities of integrity and behaviour across the organisation. The Code applies to all staff and other personnel. Travel: The position requires regular attendance at various locations, particularly to Derby and Fitzroy Crossing, and occasionally to Kununurra and the Dampier Peninsula. Travel will be a significant component of the position and will require the worker to drive the KCLS 4WD vehicle, for which training will be provided. A Driver s Licence with no significant penalties that may impact on your ability to drive as part of your work duties. Verification: The appointment is subject to satisfactory professional reference, 6 month probationary period, national police and working with children checks. 6
APPLICATION PROCESS Send applications to: Sarouche Razi Principal Solicitor Kimberley Community Legal Services Inc. sarouche_razi@kcls.org.au Applications close 5:00p.m. AWST, Friday 23 September 2016 RECRUITMENT PROCESS The recruitment process will comprise a Skype interview with professional reference checks. The selection panel may conduct additional interviews or assessments at its discretion. Further information: Sarouche Razi, Principal Solicitor (08) 9169 3100 7