Outreach Lawyer PD 2016

DAREBIN COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE INC

OUTREACH LAWYER

POSITION DESCRIPTION

CONTRACT– 30 HOURS PER WEEK This position is a contract position until 30 June 2017. If funding permits the position will be extended.

BACKGROUND TO THE POSITION Darebin Community Legal centre (DCLC) is a not for profit community legal service, which provides free legal advice and referral to people who live, work or study in the Darebin area. The Centre aims to empower and support the Darebin community through legal advice, advocacy, education and information. The Centre with its professional staff and large volunteer base provides a range of creative and innovative programs. It has prioritised assisting those who are 'at risk' or are experiencing family violence and provides a duty lawyer assisting applicants at the family violence division of the Heidelberg Magistrate Court, and the Neighbourhood Justice centre. Outreaches are conducted to Reservoir, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, youth services and prisons; as well as the more traditional legal night services. The successful applicant will have a strong focus on social justice and community development and providing quality front line services to the community.

Job title: Outreach Lawyer

Award/Classification: Classified under the Community Legal Centres Multi Business Agreement Victoria 2006-2009, Social Community Home Care and Disability Services Industry award 2010 level 6

Hours: 30 hours per week, contract until 30 June 2017 with the possibility of extension

Location: 732 High Street, Thornbury

Metropolitan travel may be required

Reporting to: Principal Lawyer and Centre Manager

The purpose of the outreach lawyer is to provide legal advice and casework for the Centre’s generalist legal practice in accordance with the Centre’s annual work plan, policies and procedures, and complying with the professional and ethical standards of legal practice.

The role has responsibility for: outreach services; undertaking casework; liaising with the Family Violence Projects; assisting with community legal education; law reform development and supervising volunteers across day service and night service.

Reports Direct  Principal lawyer  Manager

1 Outreach Lawyer PD 2016

Key Relationships Internal  Manager  Principal Lawyer  Family Violence Projects Manager and Principal Solicitor

External  Courts  Police  Victorian Legal Aid  Community Legal Centres  Community based organisations in the City of Darebin

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Advice and Casework Service

 In accordance with the casework policy of the Darebin Community Legal Service, to provide outreach legal services to members of the Darebin community  Supervise volunteer lawyers and students  Provide legal information, advice and casework services to eligible clients of the service  Provide representation in various courts and tribunals as required  Maintain a personal caseload as negotiated with the Principal Solicitor  Assist in the induction, training and support of legal service staff, volunteers and students  Assist in the supervision of the work of volunteers and students including the provision of guidance and direction to ensure that professional and ethical obligations of the service are met  In conjunction with the Committee of Management and staff, participate in law reform activities as identified by the service  Assist in the research, planning and delivery of community legal education and law reform activities

Teamwork and Service Development

 To attend staff and Committee of Management meetings  To prepare written reports for the Committee of Management  To participate in the development of policy in areas relevant to the position  To undertake tasks outlined in the annual work plan  To participate in relevant training and workshops  Attendance at Federation of Community Legal Centres meetings and other activities as required  Responsibility for own administrative workload –mail, typing, statistics etc.  Participate in professional development and support  Involvement in organisational management, including planning day, annual report, fundraising and other one off events  Other duties as required

1. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

 Eligibility to hold a current Victorian Practising Certificate 2 Outreach Lawyer PD 2016

 Minimum of 2 years post admission experience as a solicitor  Experience conducting casework in the particular areas of crime, infringements, civil debt, and intervention orders  Court advocacy experience  Experience in managing casework files and file administration  Knowledge of and commitment to community legal issues and social justice principles  Excellent oral and written communication skills  Demonstrated ability to work independently in a well organised manner, and as part of a small team  Empathy and the ability to deal with a diverse range of people  Demonstrated experience in developing relationships with external stakeholders  Time management skills

Desirable:

 Knowledge of community legal centres and their functions  A second language  Current Victorian Drivers’ Licence

Any applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.

Applications should be addressed to the Manager and can be posted to Darebin Community Legal Centre, 732 High Street Thornbury 3071 VIC or emailed to [email protected] For any questions in relation to the position contact the manager, Emel Ramadan on (03)9484 7753 or email [email protected]

Applications close Monday 3rd October 5:00pm

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