ABOUT RAILS
RAILS is a community legal centre which has been providing free legal advice and
representation to disadvantaged people since 1980. It is the only community legal
centre in Queensland that specialises in refugee and immigration law. RAILS works
closely with other community organisations and with government to provide a
network of support for the most vulnerable clients.
RAILS operates under a community management committee and is staffed by a
Director, Principal Solicitor, Education Co-ordinator, caseworkers (solicitors and/or
migration agents), and financial and administrative staff. The work of RAILS is
supported by a large team of volunteers.
The primary functions of RAILS are to:
 provide free immigration advice in appropriate cases and, ongoing
representation;
 provide one off general law advice;
 provide appropriate referrals to other community organisations, government
agencies or private practitioners;
 encourage and support preventative approaches to legal problem solving
through the development of culturally appropriate community legal education
programs;
 initiate and participate in law reform activities;
 provide training and support to volunteers.
RAILS staff are expected to work professionally and as a team, and to demonstrate
the flexibility often required by a community organisation. Staff members are
responsible to each other, the Director and the management committee. Staff
meetings are held regularly.
All staff are expected to attend and contribute constructively to those meetings.
PARA- LEGAL
1. ABOUT THE POSITION
Job Title: Para-legal
Hours: 7.6 hours per week, 1 day (flexible working hours are available around core
hours of 10am-4pm, subject to operational requirements)
Salary: $10,472.80 - $11,188.11 plus superannuation (as per SACS
Award/SCHCADS Award – Level 3)
Salary sacrifice is available as RAILS has PBI status
Responsible to: Director and Principal Solicitor
2. POSITION DESCRIPTION
The RAILS paralegal provides assistance to the administrative staff and RAILS
caseworkers by facilitating appointments and making bookings for the RAILS
Protection Visa clinics. The role also involves any paralegal work specifically for the
principal solicitor, when required.
Duties:
o Overseeing the intake, booking and follow-up work for the RAILS
Protection Visa Clinics, including:
 Calling clients to schedule appointment times;
 Taking summary of the clients legal issue and determining
whether our service can assist;
 Sending texts to client to confirm appointment attendance;
 Communicating with RAILS caseworkers prior to the general law
clinics to make sure each caseworker is aware of their
appointments;
 Maintaining a database with all clinic dates, attendees and
absentees;
o Other paralegal work when required by the principal solicitor;
 Drafting correspondence
 Calling clients, the Department or other stakeholders on behalf
of the principal solicitor, as required
 Assisting with the coordination of the volunteer recruitment
roster
3. SELECTION CRITERIA
1)
2)
3)
4)
Essential
Is a law student who has successfully studied/completed law subjects at
University for at least three years or more, and has, therefore, had an
opportunity to develop, inter alia, forensic, analytical skills and effective time
management.
Ability to work efficiently and effectively both independently and as part of a
team.
Demonstrated legal skills, including oral and written
Demonstrated word processing skills.
Desirable
5) Knowledge of refugee and/or Australian migration law.
6) Demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of, the principles of
social justice and the role of a community legal centre within a social
justice framework
7) Understanding of issues facing culturally diverse communities and ability
to work and communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural
backgrounds.
Applications
Applications must be received by close of business on 15 June 2015.
When completing your application please address the essential skills identified.
The Application must be delivered by post, fax or email to:
The Director
RAILS
PO Box 5143
WEST END QLD 4101
Fax: +617 3844 3073
Email: Kathleen.Dare@rails.org.au