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Community Lawyer, 1.0 EFT (2 year contract)

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Organisation : Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre (GVCLC)

Location : VIC Regional (Shepparton)

Work type : Full-time

Sector : Law, Justice & Human Rights

Salary type : Annual Package

Application closing date : 8 Apr, 2019

About the organisation

Organisation Name : Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre (GVCLC)

ARC Justice is an independent, not-for-profit, human rights organisation that incorporates the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre, the Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre and Housing Justice.

Our programs deliver accessible legal services, tenancy advice and support to those in our community in the greatest need. We deliver community education and advocate for systematic change that enhances the rights of rural and regional Victorians. We recognise that housing and legal issues do not occur in isolation and we work with local partners to ensure a whole-of-person approach to our work.

Vision
An inclusive community built on a foundation of human rights and equality before the law.

Purpose
We promote equality before the law for people in rural and regional Victoria by: providing legal, advocacy and support services; elevating justice as an issue in public discourse; and advocating for systemic change that upholds human rights.

Principles that underpin our work

  • Community: We serve, build capacity and are accountable to the community to which we belong.
  • Learning: We are inquisitive and receptive to new ideas, use evidence-based practice and share our knowledge to achieve the greatest impact for our communities. We learn from both our successes and mistakes.
  • Partnership: We believe partnership and collaboration with individuals, communities and organisations is the only way to create meaningful and sustainable change.
  • People: We are committed to ethical and sustainable practice that values our people in achieving our purpose.
  • Recognition of First Peoples: We celebrate the strength, culture and contribution of our First Peoples. We recognise the systemic injustices brought against them, and work in partnership with local Aboriginal communities to bring justice.
  • Respect: In all of our work, we show respect. We value diversity and acknowledge differences, knowing these strengthen our community.

Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre

Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre (GVCLC) operates in the Goulburn Valley, encompassing the local government areas of Greater Shepparton, Mitchell, Moira, Strathbogie, Benalla and Mansfield. GVCLC promotes equality before the law for people in rural and regional Victoria through the provision of legal, advocacy and support services; by elevating justice as an issue in public discourse; and by advocating for systemic change that upholds human rights.

GVCLC services include:

  • Legal Assistance (information, referral, advice and casework)
  • Legal Education
  • Policy and Law Reform Work

GVCLC provides generalist services and a range of specialist services including:

  • Family Violence prevention legal services including family violence duty lawyer services at Shepparton, Seymour, Benalla, Mansfield and Cobram Magistrates’ Courts.
  • Family law and child protection advice and casework assistance
  • Clinical Education Program with Deakin University law students
  • A Health-Justice Partnership with Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd
  • An Employment Law Partnership with Jobwatch providing services for Working Holiday Makers

GVCLC is a program of Advocacy and Rights Centre Ltd (trading as ARC Justice).

About the role

Role
This is a generalist position with Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre (GVCLC), but it has a particular focus on providing family violence and associated family law and child protection services as a duty lawyer at the new Specialist Family Violence Court in Shepparton.

There will also be opportunities to engage in a variety of other practice areas relevant to disadvantaged communities such as child protection, consumer complaints, credit and debt, infringements and summary crime.

As a member of the legal team, the incumbent will also participate in the planning and delivery of community legal education, policy and law reform. They will report to the GVCLC Manager & Principal Lawyer at first instance but will also have a relationship with the Executive Officer (overseeing project compliance).

Legal Service Delivery

  • Provide legal assistance (information, referral, advice and casework) in a generalist legal service in all service modes (e.g. by telephone, face-to-face and video conferencing) including at the evening advice service, specialist clinics and outreach locations
  • Ensure quality and consistency of delivery of legal services in accordance with organisational policies to ensure high standards of service to clients experiencing systemic disadvantage and complex needs
  • Assist with Family Violence Duty Lawyer and outreach services as directed
  • Work with the CLC team on appropriate project management activities and ensure all reporting and funding requirements are met
  • Supervise volunteers as required

Community Development, Legal Education and law reform

  • Monitor casework to identify systemic issues and feed this information into the organisation’s strategic plan and work plans
  • Develop and deliver legal education to community members and service providers in accordance with a work plan
  • Raise the CLC public profile and promote awareness of legal rights and responsibilities through participation in public forums and community presentations
  • Monitor opportunities for, and participate and collaborate in policy and law reform activities

General and Organisational responsibilities

  • Support the achievement of the ARC Justice Strategic Plan
  • Work with the CLC team to plan, develop and review the organisation’s functions
  • Share general office duties including administration as required
  • Attend internal staff and planning meetings, supervision and performance review processes
  • Travel to Bendigo, Melbourne and local regional Courts as required
  • Participate in professional development activities, meet CPD responsibilities and attend national and local conferences as required
  • Involvement in relevant community networks, including meetings of members of the Federation of Community Legal Centre’s and other working groups
  • Involvement in fundraising and other events as required
  • Facilitate the timely and responsible use of grievance procedures to ensure that action is taken when change is required in order for performance to be improved or conflict resolved
  • Produce reports relating to work performed by GVCLC as required
  • Undertake general Monitoring and Evaluation activities
  • Adhere to organisational policies and procedures and support the agreed ARC Justice Values and behaviors
  • Undertake other duties reasonably required by the GVCLC Manager & Principal Lawyer / ARC Justice Executive Officer

SALARY: Terms and conditions of employment are based on the Community Legal Centres Multi-  Business Agreement, with salary at SCHADS level 4 to 6, based on qualifications, skills and experience. The benefits of tax-effective salary packaging (up to $30,000 grossed-up per FBT Year) plus access to accommodation and meal/entertainment packaging. An additional 3 days ex gratia leave between Christmas and New Year’s Day is also provided. Employer funded superannuation is paid in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, and is in addition to the gross salary offered. Relocation assistance may be offered for the right candidate.

HOURS: 38 hours per week, 7.6 hours per day. Normal hours of work are between 8.00am-6.00pm, with flexitime work arrangements available. The position may also require travel or attendances beyond these times on occasion, including as a rostered supervisor for evening advice clinics. Overtime is not payable but flexi time is available within ARC policy guidelines.

LOCATION: Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre is based at Suite 3, 98 Nixon Street, Shepparton. The position will service courts and engage with other services throughout the region, occasionally requiring travel outside of normal work hours.

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

Late April 2019 (to be negotiated)

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA – COMMUNITY LAWYER
Essential (Skills, knowledge, experience, qualification and/or training)

  1. Experience in the provisions of legal advice and casework. Family violence and family law legal practice experience will be viewed favourably.
  2. Experience planning, developing and delivering community legal education and/or community development projects, including gathering data to report on deliverables.
  3. Experience networking and building relationships with a broad range of organisations and stakeholders.
  4. Demonstrated capacity to support a cohesive team environment as well as ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  5. Capacity for flexibility, adapting to change and a demonstrated ability to take the initiative in an under-resourced environment.
  6. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Word processing competency and general computer literacy, including use of databases to track work.

Desirable (Skills, knowledge, experience, qualification and/or training)

  1. At least two years PAE (we are seeking applications from both junior and more experienced lawyers).
  2. Prior legal practice experience in a community legal or legal aid context in multiple areas of community law (law relevant to disadvantaged communities including family law, family violence, child protection, consumer complaints, credit and debt, infringements and summary crime).
  3. Ability to engage in policy development and law reform.

Prerequisites

  1. Law degree
  2. Eligible for a Practicing Certificate in Victoria
  3. Unrestricted Victorian driver’s license
  4. Clear Police record check (concerning offences of dishonesty and personal safety) and obtaining a
    Working with Children Card

How to apply

Applications not allowed for this job listing.

#PBA2

Please quote in application: Community Lawyer, 1.0 EFT (2 year contract) via Pro Bono Australia.


Profession: #Community_Services, #Legal
Sector: #Law_Justice_and_Human_Rights
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