Make a Difference in the Wheatbelt Community!
Are you a purposedriven Lawyer looking for a role where you can make a real difference Join a closeknit supportive and driven team at the Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre! In this role you ll have the rare and unique opportunity to practice law and be supported to follow your interests court experience advocacy and building connections with the local community.
Why are we different
Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre is at the heart of the community. You will have the opportunity to develop quickly in areas that you are interested in and you ll be strongly supported in doing so. This includes experience in advocacy and litigation early in building interpersonal relationships with clients.
And to support the great work we do worklife balance is of paramount importance and is at our core.
About Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre
Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre provides legal advice representation and advocacy to people experiencing disadvantage living across the Wheatbelt. We are dedicated to empowering people in our community and delivering quality and accessible legal services to the Wheatbelt community.
The Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre is located in picturesque town of Northam
Imagine waking up to rolling countryside views enjoying a strong sense of community on the doorstep of Perth. Northam offers the best of both worlds a relaxed countrytown atmosphere with modern amenities and a supportive legal network.
Northam is the largest inland town in Western Australia situated in the picturesque Avon Valley. Home to approximately 7000 people Northam offers a blend of historical charm modern amenities and a vibrant community spirit. The town is rich in cultural heritage with various recreational facilities scenic parks and heritage sites.
Northam has a relaxed countrytown atmosphere with all the conveniences of a larger town. It has a strong sense of community active local events and numerous sports and recreation facilities. The town provides a balanced lifestyle with rural and urban benefits making it an attractive place for professionals and families.
About the Role
As a Lawyer you will:
- Undertake the provision of professional high quality legal advice and representation to clients in areas of family law family violence matters minor criminal civil and criminal injuries compensation matters
- Undertake travel to various communities within the Wheatbelt to carry out legal assistance and education (may include overnight stays on occasion);
- Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional legal education opportunities and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and provide guidance and leadership to Wheatbelt community/stakeholders
Key Opportunities:
- In accordance with Wheatbelt CLC s strategic and operational plans provide advice referrals casework assistance legal representation law reform and community legal education throughout the Wheatbelt region.
- To appear as solicitor and counsel in all courts.
- To work with the Principal Lawyer to ensure that all legal work undertaken by Wheatbelt CLC complies with the requirements of the Legal Profession Act 2008 Legal Profession Conduct Rules WA 2010 Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements and Wheatbelt CLC s policies and practice standards.
- Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional development programs and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and members of the Community.
- Contribute to the collaborative relationship between Legal Aid WA Community Legal Centres WA and other community organisations with whom Wheatbelt CLC interacts.
- Maintain effective file and diary management systems administrative systems and procedures and quality assurance procedures as well as maintain statistics and other records required by funding bodies; and
- Maintain and facilitate Wheatbelt CLC s role within the community and public profile through the preparation of media releases and articles presentation at meetings seminars and conferences and represent Wheatbelt CLC in public forums.
Application Process
To apply please submit a copy of your current resume and a cover letter of no more than two (2) pages addressing your suitability for the position.
Applications close by 11.59pm Friday 28th February 2025. Early applications are strongly encouraged as interviews may commence prior to the closing date.
Requirements
What we re looking for
Your unique strengths and experiences are what we value most. We are searching for individuals who can meet most of the following:
- Hold an unrestricted legal practice certificate in Western Australia.
- Demonstrated 2 years experience in the provision of legal service delivery including representation casework and advice in communitybased areas of law specifically the areas of family law family violence criminal law minor civil and criminal injuries compensation.
- Welldeveloped interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with clients and other persons from diverse backgrounds.
- Experience in working collaboratively and effectively within a small team environment as well as with other community service providers
- Proficiency in the use of MS Office (MS Word Excel Outlook) to a legal practice and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of Wheatbelt CLC s client database; and
- Current driver s licence.
Successful applicants will also need a satisfactory National Police Check Working with Children Check and working rights in Australia.
Benefits
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary package: $90000 $110000 per annum including superannuation.
- Career Growth: supported court exposure and handson legal experience
- Housing support: Housing provided for the first 12 months.
- Relocation Support Relocation payment of up to $5000 available.
- Generous salary sacrifices provisions up to $15900 per annum which can be used for various personal expenses.
- Explore the region as you serve clients across the Wheatbelt
- Worklife balance with flexible work arrangements
It's great you are still reading that means you resonate with the above! We are searching for someone who can meet most of the following: 1. Eligibility to hold an unrestricted practising certificate in Western Australia (or restricted practicing certificate if you are applying for the junior role). 2. Casework and advocacy experience in generalist areas of law (or in the following areas for restricted practitioners: tenancy, child protection, family violence, or family law). 3. Critical interpersonal communication skills, including communicating with clients with empathy and reflecting on lawyering practice. 4. Critical written skills, including the ability to write sophisticated legal concepts in plain language. Sound organisational skills and ability to manage workload, competing demands, meet deadlines and to work effectively as part of a team. 5. Understanding and commitment to principles of social justice and to working effectively with Indigenous people. 6. Experience in advising and representing people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and in developing and delivering community education programs. 7. Personal resilience, adaptability and ability to meet the challenges of remote service delivery. Successful applicants will need to provide references, a recent WA Police Clearance, current Working with Children s Check, and their working rights in Australia. Further DESIRABLE criteria 1. Current driver s license valid for use in WA. 2. Experience in a community legal practice setting and/or community-based organisation and/or in remote and rural Australia highly regarded. 3. Experience with Family or Civil law areas highly regarded. How to apply Submitting your application is easy. All you need to do is submit your resume and cover letter addressing why you would be a great fit for the role. Don t be afraid to really showcase your talent and/or potential. We ask that you please upload your application documents as a PDF. Time to apply! Applications close on Thursday 27th April 2023. Shortlisting and interviews may commence, and appointments made before the closing date, so don t delay. Apply now via our recruitment partners - We are looking to employ at least 1 FTE immediately; other suitable applicants will be successful for the Pool to be considered to fill future vacancies within the next 12 months. To view the Candidate Information Pack, click here. KCLS values a diverse workforce with different life experiences, skills, and backgrounds including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, and people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need a hand with your application. Have any questions? Contact Tara Roopra on, or via email