Solicitor (Employment law)

• Opportunity to contribute to a growing innovative employment and youth law practice that assists over 800 young workers each year in the NT/ACT and NSW.
• Be involved in designing and delivering engaging community legal education to inform vulnerable young workers about their employment rights and where they can access help.
• The role has a strong focus on community engagement to significantly enhance access to justice for vulnerable young workers in the NT/ACT and NSW, including migrant workers and international students.
• Would suit an energetic and capable employment law or civil law generalist lawyer.
• Work remotely in the ACT, the NT (within the Greater Darwin/Palmerston area, Katherine, or Alice Springs), regional NSW, and/or from YLA’s headquarters at UNSW (hybrid work environment).
• Youth Law Australia’s national legal practice is a technology-rich environment, and the successful applicant must be comfortable within and able to quickly adapt to various ICT platforms. (The majority of client contact will be via phone, email, and webchat. Occasional face to face appointments will occur at the offices of our partners and outreach locations).
• Occasional travel within the ACT and to the NT and NSW is required.
• Working part-time (minimum 0.6FTE), full-time or flexibly is negotiable.
• Salary negotiable. FBT salary packaging is available.

ABOUT THE ROLE

In recognition of the unmet need for specialist employment legal services for young workers in NSW, the ACT and the NT, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has granted YLA funding to provide employment law support to vulnerable young workers, including children, apprentices, migrant workers and international students. With this funding YLA has established the Young Workers’ Rights Service (YWRS). The YWRS provides high quality legal information, advice, assistance, representation, education and community engagement relating to Commonwealth workplace laws to vulnerable young workers and their advocates/associates across NSW, the ACT and the NT. Funding for this position expires on 31 December 2024, however there are strong prospects for continuation of employment after that date.

You will report to and work under the supervision of YLA’s Principal Solicitor and work closely with and be well supported by YLA’s Director, the Senior Solicitor (Employment Law), YLA solicitors, pro bono solicitors, law student volunteers, interns and trainees to provide online, phone-based and some face to face services. Because YLA’s practice is paperless and delivered via YLA’s technology platform, a reasonably high degree of digital and ICT literacy is therefore expected of all applicants.

YLA strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all positions.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working collaboratively with the Senior Solicitor (Employment Law), based in Sydney, to promote and deliver YLA’s Young Workers’ Rights Service across NSW, ACT and NT.
• Assisting with Community Legal Education activities relating to the Fair Work Act 2009 and other Commonwealth workplace relations legislation.
• Providing verbal and written employment law advice, information, referrals and assistance via telephone, online chat and email, for or on behalf of young workers (under 25) in the NT, ACT and NSW.
• Providing detailed advice and one-off assistance such as drafting letters, complaints, applications, or support for self-represented litigants at outreach locations.
• Where required, providing casework and legal representation to vulnerable young workers.
• Collaboratively developing and maintaining accurate information sources for young workers.
• Maintaining accurate records, files, accountabilities and reporting.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Must have, or be eligible for, a practising certificate in the NT/ACT/NSW and have experience practicing in one or more of these jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated experience in a legal advice, assistance and dispute resolution environment, 2–3-year PQE is desirable, applicants must have at least 2 years PQE.
• Demonstrated ability to work without close supervision, set priorities, manage own workloads, and meet deadlines.
• Experience signing off on legal advice and managing own caseload is desirable. Provision of efficient, timely and accurate legal advice services is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in providing employment law assistance or demonstrated experience in successfully acquiring legal expertise in another field or fields of dispute resolution.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with people from diverse backgrounds, including client interviewing, advising and corresponding.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy, including in legal research and advising.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with team-members and internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to engage with community members, organisations and stakeholders to effectively promote the service and enhance its profile.
• The successful applicant will be asked to undertake a national criminal record check and a working with children check.