Civil/Generalist Solicitor Position Available
POSITION DETAILS
Employment Status Full or part-time
Classification SCHADS Level 4-6 (commensurate with experience)
Reports To Principal Solicitor
Location Hobart
ORGANISATON OVERVIEW
Hobart Community Legal Service (HCLS) provides a free legal service in southern Tasmania for people and communities in need. We provide information about legal and non-legal options via telephone advice, face-to-face appointments, representation, community legal education, outreach, drafting of law reform submissions and referrals to appropriate support services.
HCLS is funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department in recognition that there are marginalised communities where legal needs intersect with housing insecurity, financial challenges, unemployment, literacy and mental and physical health barriers. Workers at HCLS are sensitive to the diverse needs of our clients as individuals and as a part of the community and support the marginalised in our community to be valued, safe and well through high quality free and accessible legal services.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Under the supervision of the Principal Solicitor, the Solicitor will provide a high level of supportive, plain language legal advice, information and referrals to those who contact our service. Where appropriate, the provision of face-to-face advice, preparation of written documents and correspondence, and other casework and representation will be undertaken. Calls can relate to any area of law so a commitment to professional development is important and will be supported.
This role will encompass a specialist welfare rights position to assist clients and their families impacted by or experiencing difficulties with social security legislation and Services Australia (Centrelink).
The provision of community legal education (CLE) workshops, drafting of law reform and lobbying submissions, along with organisational and administrative responsibilities are also a component of this position.
As a full-time employee, the normal hours of work will be 37.5 hours per week, between 9:00am and 5:00pm weekdays, inclusive of a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Services
- Provide high-quality legal advice, information, referral, casework, and representation to clients in both State and Federal jurisdictions, ensuring efficient, appropriate and plain language service delivery, including preparation of documents, forms and correspondence.
- Provide an integrated and holistic client service, working with other organisations within the community sector to address both legal and non-legal needs of clients.
- Assist to develop and co-deliver community legal education activities, resources and outreach programs in line with the work of the organisation, working collaboratively with key stakeholders to deliver these services.
- Maintain and develop relationships with key stakeholders in order to deliver outreach services to the community, with a focus on working in an integrated and collaborative manner.
- Assist with research, preparation and presentation of law reform and lobbying submissions, working in consultation with other staff and key stakeholders to prepare submissions with reference to Hobart Community Legal Service’s Strategic Plan.
Organisational
- Carry out the responsibilities of the position in accordance with the Position Description, the funding requirements and the overarching vision, mission and values, policies and procedures and strategic plan of Hobart Community Legal Service.
- Participate in regular case management meetings and contribute to team knowledge sharing.
- Contribute to organisational reporting, including reports to the Board, funders and other organisations.
- Be responsible for your own administrative work. The administration team provides some support, however the nature of funding for community legal services does not enable full administrative support.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of and work in accordance with the competencies of HCLS and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award (listed within this document).
COMPETENCIES
Universal Competencies
Collaborative Approach
- Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others.
- Uses language that demonstrates respect for colleagues and stakeholders at all times.
- Helps others consider new perspectives.
- Treats constructive feedback as a developmental opportunity.
Diverse and Inclusive
- Displays a willingness to engage with all people in a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory way.
- Ensures own conduct aligns with the values of Hobart Community Legal Service.
- Identifies and challenges behaviours that contravene the values of Hobart Community Legal Service.
Efficient and Contemporary
- Sets goals, plans outcomes, organises work, and establishes the most appropriate ways to deliver a program.
- Provides reports on progress of program activities, including recommendations.
- Actively completes planning, study or research for projects, service design or implementation of procedures and presentation.
Healthy Workplace
- Practices self-care for good mental health and wellbeing.
- Recognises the significance of policy and procedures that guide workplace behaviours.
Quality Practices
- Displays motivation to engage in quality improvement projects and processes.
- Improves practices, increasing effectiveness and efficiency and actively supports the application of sound quality practices.
Organisational Culture
- Actively engages in supervision and professional development opportunities.
- Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Acknowledges others’ skills and expertise, encourages and contributes to the sharing of knowledge, and creates learning opportunities for others.
Client Related Competencies
Evidence based best practice
- Has an understanding of trauma and its impact across lifespan.
- Identifies important issues for clients (e.g. mental, physical, social, occupational and spiritual needs) and collaborate with other team members at Hobart Community Legal Service to integrate support.
- Delivers a variety of appropriate interventions demonstrating a high level of knowledge and expertise.
Client focused
- Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships with clients and their supports.
- Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensures they are met.
- Seeks to understand how the client relates to their own culture/s and community and, where relevant, how the client relates to the culture of their family.
Knowledge and application
- Provides care and support to clients within the boundaries prescribed by law and professional, national and local requirements, and codes of ethical practice.
- Engages in reflective practice.
- Demonstrates an extensive knowledge of resources and services for information and referral of clients.
Outcome evaluation
- Invites and involves clients in providing feedback on services and in service planning.
- Demonstrates program effectiveness with data.
SELECTION CRITERIA TO BE ADDRESSED IN AN APPLICATION
Essential:
- Admission as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of Tasmania and the Federal Court of Australia with demonstrated experience in consumer law, industrial law and an appreciation of social security law.
- The ability to advocate, negotiate and liaise effectively on a client’s behalf in a non-judgmental manner, assessing their safety, identifying risks and developing effective strategies which address their needs in a trauma informed way.
- Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse groups including working collaboratively within a team environment supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive workplace culture.
- High level written communication skills, including the ability to maintain accurate and complete client files in accordance with Hobart Community Legal Service procedures, and the ability to draft complex reports, collating statistics to demonstrate program effectiveness and case studies highlighting client outcomes.
- Well-developed organisational and time management skills and ability to set priorities and monitor workflow.
- High level computer and system skills, including Microsoft Office 365 suite – word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email and calendars. Competence with Apple computers desirable.
- Ability to work within and positively advance the mission and values of Hobart Community Legal Service, including a commitment to social justice, equity, empowerment, and an ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.
- Hold a current Tasmanian Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Employment registration, and current and clear National Police Check (no more than twelve months old) or ability to obtain.
Desirable:
- Some knowledge of integrated and trauma-informed practice, as well as a familiarity and understanding of the role and challenges faced by the community services sector.
- Demonstrated success in developing and maintaining community networks.
APPLICATIONS
If you are interested in joining our team, please address a letter covering all relevant experience and current resume to:
Mr Chris Rice
CEO / Principal Solicitor
Hobart Community Legal Service
(03) 6223 2500
Email: chris@hobartlegal.org.au
Applications close Friday, 8th November 2024.