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 Human Rights. Fairness. Justice. ECLC | 1 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 Human Rights. Fairness. Justice. ECLC | 2 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. Human Rights. Fairness. Justice. ECLC | 3 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 Human Rights. Fairness. Justice. ECLC | 4 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. Human Rights. Fairness. Justice. ECLC | 5