Position Vacant: Solicitor – Employment Rights Legal Service

Are you an employment lawyer with a passion for supporting the rights of migrant and vulnerable workers?

Applications are now open for the role of Solicitor – Employment Rights Legal Service, based at the Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) on a full time basis. The position is currently fixed term to 31 December 2022, but is subject to possible extension.

Position Title: Solicitor – Employment Rights Legal Service

Status: Fixed term contract to 31 December 2022, subject to extension

Hours per week: 35 hours per week or as negotiated

Salary: SCHCADS Level 5 (up to $100,210), depending on experience. ICLC is currently able to offer salary sacrificing of up to $16,000 per year.

Accountable to: Centre Director and Principal Solicitor

Background

The Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) is a busy community legal centre based in Kings Cross. We are currently working from home but will return to the office when the public health situation allows.

We provide free civil, criminal, employment and family law advice to members of our local community (in the inner-city and north shore and northern beaches regions of Sydney) and priority groups across NSW, including LGBTIQ+ people, sex workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, homeless people, people with disabilities and people with low income. ICLC is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.

The Employment Rights Legal Service (ERLS) is a state-wide project being delivered in cooperation with Redfern Legal Centre and Kingsford Legal Centre. ERLS provides free employment law advice and assistance to migrant workers and other vulnerable workers across NSW. ERLS will also provide community legal education and support capacity building across the community legal sector.

About the position

The primary purpose of the ERLS Solicitor is to provide legal advice and casework assistance to migrant and vulnerable workers across NSW. The role will coordinate with an existing ERLS solicitor.

The ERLS Solicitor will also be responsible for developing relationships with regional community legal centres and with relevant community services to help build the capacity of the sector to engage with employment law problems. This will involve building relationships, offering community legal education, information and referrals, and providing legal advice.

The role would suit an admitted lawyer with experience in employment law and a commitment to delivering legal services to diverse communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. We also welcome applications from people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, and members of the LGBTIQ+ community.

Specific position duties

The primary responsibility of the ERLS Solicitor is to facilitate and provide employment law advice, casework and representation to ICLC clients, as well as provide community legal education in employment law to the broader legal community.

Advice/Casework

• Conduct legal casework, advice and referral work in the areas of employment law, including the preparation of applications and appearances in Commissions, Courts and Tribunals.
• Under supervision of the Centre Director and Principal Solicitor, ensure that the CLC Risk Management Guide requirements for all aspects of legal advice and casework are adhered to.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of all advice and casework undertaken.
• Proactively seek and engage in professional supervision from the Centre Director and Principal Solicitor and other senior legal staff

Community Legal Education and Community Development

• Undertake community legal education activities as agreed with the Employment Rights Legal Service team and steering committee.

Common staff responsibilities

• In conjunction with other staff members, assist in the day-to-day operations of the ICLC including administration and reception tasks as needed.
• Attend regular staff meetings and fortnightly casework meetings.
• Provide support and supervision for ICLC volunteers, including Practical Legal Training (PLT) students and law students.
• Adhere to ICLC policies and procedures.

Selection Criteria

 Essential

1. 1. Current NSW Practising Certificate (or eligible to obtain).
   2. Experience practising employment law with demonstrated ability to provide advice and conduct casework on a range of employment law issues.
   3. Capacity to work cooperatively in a joint project.
   4. Demonstrated ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and sensitively with clients, employers and relevant government and community organisations.
   5. Demonstrated ability to work with disadvantaged and vulnerable clients, particularly people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
   6. Ability to maintain casework files and records of advice to a high standard with limited administrative support.
   7. Ability to efficiently complete advice and casework within specified timeframes, and to manage a busy caseload.
   8. Demonstrated ability to conduct community legal education.
   9. Ability to supervise students and volunteer solicitors.

Desirable

1. 10. Substantial experience in employment law.
   11. Experience advising and representing employees against employers.
   12. Knowledge of particular needs of clients from different backgrounds, including but not limited to culturally and linguistically diverse clients.
   13. Experience of successfully working within a CLC or similar community-based organisation.

How to apply

• All applications should be in writing and must include a CV and a statement addressing the selection criteria.
• Applications which do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
• Applications will be open until at least Monday 22 August 2022, but we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.
• Applications should be sent by email to Hilary Kincaid, at hilary@iclc.org.au.
• Queries can be directed to Hilary by email.