Community Lawyer – Yarra Ranges
Eastern Community Legal Centre seeks equality and social justice within the legal system for
disadvantaged members of the community. This is addressed through legal services and community
development initiatives provided by volunteers, professional staff and community partners. The service
covers six municipalities in Melbourne’s east and has been operating as an independent non-profit
community agency since 1974.
Position Context
ECLC operates from three bases in the eastern region. The Inner East office is located in Box Hill and
provides assistance to residents in the Cities of Boroondara, Whitehorse and Manningham. The Outer
East office is located in Boronia and provides assistance to residents in the Cities of Maroondah and
Knox. The new Yarra Ranges office is located in Healesville, will open in late 2013 and services
residents in the Shire of Yarra Ranges and surrounds. All offices work closely together.
The Centre is committed to working with its community utilising a variety of direct legal services and
community development strategies. While this role has a focus on legal advice and casework, all staff
are expected and encouraged to have some involvement in the community development and education
work of the Centre.
The Community Lawyer has responsibility for helping to establish and develop a new Yarra Ranges
branch of the Centre and provide effective legal services to residents.
The legal practice has a focus on family law and family violence, including an advice service at the
Ringwood Magistrates’ Court, as well as civil and minor criminal matters, and specialised casework.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
1.
Daytime Legal Advice and Casework Service
Provide high quality legal advice and casework to centre clients. This includes:
2.
1.1.
Providing legal advice at day service appointments, including outreach locations and at
the Intervention Order Support Service
1.2.
Maintaining personal caseload as negotiated annually
1.3.
Providing legal information and advice services to community workers who seek
information from the Centre
1.4.
Assisting with the development of volunteer programs including training and supervision of
volunteers
1.5.
Ensuring compliance with professional indemnity insurance scheme
Community Development
As agreed with the Co-ordinator and Principal Lawyer, with the support of community
development staff, provide educative programs and publications for members of the community
with a view to raising public awareness of the law and the legal system. This may include:
2.1
Providing community legal education presentations and seminars
2.2
Assisting with the research, production and maintenance of resources required for
community legal education
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2.
3.
4.
5.
2.3
Ensuring the legal accuracy of community legal education programs and materials
2.4
Assisting with the writing and editing of texts for publication
2.5
Undertaking and participating in community development and partnership projects
2.6
Engaging in partnership development activities with agencies and other local parties in
order to build awareness of the service
Accountability
2.1.
Participate in regular supervision with the Co-ordinator and Principal Lawyer
2.2.
Participate in regular meetings with the Principal Lawyer to monitor and assess advice
and casework provided
2.3.
This position is accountable to the Principal Lawyer for all matters relating to the legal
practice of the centre
2.4.
Provide written reports as requested
2.5.
Participate in Centre planning and evaluation
2.6.
Participate in yearly performance appraisal
2.7.
Monitor and evaluate areas of responsibility in line with performance review and the
Centre’s organisational planning
Administration
3.1.
Word processing of all documentation and legal correspondence
3.2.
Ensure relevant and appropriate records are kept
General
4.1.
Undertake training/professional development in consultation with the Co-ordinator/
Principal Lawyer
4.2.
Ensure compliance with policies and procedures of the Centre
4.3.
Attend regular staff meetings as required
4.4.
Maintain a teamwork approach at all times
Other Relevant Duties as Directed
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KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential

Eligible to hold an Employee Practising Certificate in Victoria

Demonstrated post-admission experience in a broad range of matters, particularly in family
law/family violence and generalist legal advice

Demonstrated commitment to meeting the legal needs of disadvantaged groups

Demonstrated experience in working autonomously and in a team

Commitment to social justice and equality

Demonstrated high level written and oral communication skills, including the ability to simplify legal
jargon and to work well within a team environment

Ability to undertake projects recognising the relationship between casework, community
development and community legal education

Demonstrated computer literacy and experience in undertaking own administrative duties (e.g.
word processing, file management)
Desirable

Experience working with people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) / Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander backgrounds

Experience working within the community sector
Personal Attributes

Ability to contribute to a positive working environment

Team orientation

Ability to work under pressure

Motivation and enthusiasm
Eastern Community Legal Centre Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
Accountability:
All employees are accountable to the CEO on behalf of the Board
The Centre recognises that employees work in a multi-disciplinary team.
Functional/operational supervision and support is provided by the
Co-ordinator – Yarra Ranges; Professional (and legal) supervision and
support provided by the Principal Lawyer
Location:
Healesville
Conditions:
Part time/3 days (22.5 hours) per week (additional days of work may be
available at other ECLC offices)
A 3-month probationary period applies
All positions at the Centre are subject to the continuation of external funding.
However, this position is funded until at least June 2015
Terms and conditions are based on those contained in the Social,
Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHCDS) Industry
Award 2010
Salary:
Salary package in the range of $63,000 - $82,800 per annum (pro rata)
based on qualifications, skills and experience, comprising cash salary
($55,000 – $70,000), employer funded superannuation in accordance with
the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 and the benefits of
tax-free salary packaging available
Code of Conduct:
ECLC has established a Code of Conduct to ensure and encourage the
highest qualities of integrity and behavior across the organisation. It applies
to all staff and other personnel (see www.eclc.org.au)
Self Referral:
It is Centre policy that no staff member or volunteer shall, under any
circumstances, refer work to themselves, their families or other members of
their firms
Travel:
The position will require regular attendance at alternate locations including
outreach and Ringwood Magistrates’ Court, in addition to some evening
commitments. Generally, employees utilise their insured and roadworthy
private vehicles with travel costs reimbursed
No Smoking Policy:
It is Centre policy that smoking is prohibited in all buildings leased, owned, or
otherwise under the control of ECLC
Verification:
Appointments are subject to professional reference checks
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APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications must clearly address the selection criteria.
Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
Applications should be marked as confidential and addressed to:
Michael Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Eastern Community Legal Centre Inc.
Suite 3, Town Hall Hub
27 Bank Street, Box Hill 3128
employment@eclc.org.au
Applications close at 1.00pm on Tuesday, 24 September 2013.
Further Information:
www.eclc.org.au
Questions:
Please contact Denise Budge, Manager - Outer East on (03) 9762 6235 or
Belinda Lo, Principal Lawyer on (03) 9285 4822.
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