Lawyer or Senior Lawyer – Workers' Rights Program

The Organisation

Westjusticeis a rights-based Community Legal Centre servicing MelbournesWeston the lands of the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoplesandincludingthe local government areas of of Wyndham Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Melton andBrimbank apopulation of over a million people. MelbournesWesternSuburbsarethe thriving backbone of the state and hometoAustralias most diverse and fastest-growing population.

Westjustices purpose is to deliver targeted services and drive meaningful change to achieve fairness safety and justice for Melbournes West.

We work to uphold peoples rights by providing free legal social workfinancial counselling services community engagement and advocacyfor systemic reform acrossthefive impact areasofWorkers RightsChildren and Young Peoples RightsWomen and Gender Diverse peoples RightsEconomic and Housing Rights andOur provide place-based multi-disciplinaryprograms and partner withvalues-alignedorganisations tofocus on servicing those most impacted by these issues and toensure people have access to the services they need where they need them.

Through our work we consistently see complex legal issues and the cyclical impact theyhave on longer termjusticeeconomic health and life outcomes. This is why ourservices and programs focus on prevention and early intervention in the cycle of economic precarity criminalisation violence and housing is also whywe advocate forlegal social and policy reform to ensure the people of MelbournesWesthave access to services and the best version of justice.

Benefits & Culture

Be a part of an organisation that 98% of our employees are proud to work for

We pay 3% above the SCHADs award

Not for profit salary packaging up to $15900 per annum

Flexible working conditions

17.5% annual leave loading

Passionate professional and dedicated team

Gifted additional paid leave over the Christmas holiday period

Strong focus on collaboration wellbeing inclusion and diversity

The Role

Westjustices Workers Rights Program is seeking to employ a Lawyer or Senior Lawyer on a 12-month maximum term contract (with potential for a longer-term contract depending on availabilityof funding).

Working with a multidisciplinary team you will provide legal advice and assistance for clients in employment and equality law matters including for the Working Womens Centre Victoria. You will also be required to coordinate and deliver legal education information and outreach services to our communities in Melbournes West. You may supervise train and mentor junior staff or volunteers and will assist the Program Managers to deliver legal services and projects.

Role Requirements:

Admitted as an Australian lawyer with an unrestricted practising certificate

Legal practice experience in employment and discrimination law including managingall aspects of casework and case management to a high standard

Community legal education or equivalent experience (training or teaching) includingexperience preparing and delivering high quality effective presentations or training

Demonstrated experience contributing to systemic impact work such as research drafting orcoordinating law reform submissions or policy briefings

Strong commitment to social justice community education and engagement including ademonstrated understanding of the social context of law and the issues faced by communities experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage

Advocacy and litigation experience including in the Fair Work Commission Australian Human Rights Commission Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and/or Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia would be an advantage.

This position is primarily based at our Sunshine office and will be required to work at our other offices and/or clinic sites as the need arises. Travel around the Western region of Victoria will be required for the role.

Remuneration:

Salary is commensurate with experience under the Victorian Community Legal Centres Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 with additional financial benefits of 17.5% leave loading generous salary packaging of up to $15900 for general living expenses accommodation and meal packagingplus statutory employer funded superannuation.

For more information about Westjustice please visit our website ()

Please apply by submitting a cover letter and resume via clicking Apply Now. Applicants will be screened as their application is received and if progressed may be interviewed quickly. Please note Westjustice may at its discretion cease advertising prior to 5pm Wednesday 22 July subject to the number and suitability of applicants. Alternatively please contact Jennifer Jones on (03)for a confidential discussion.

The successful applicant will require a current Working with Childrens Check and a Police Check or be prepared to apply for both. Applicants must possess the right to work in Australia.

Westjustice is committed to building a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage applications fromAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people people living with a disability people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds mature age workers and LGBTIQA-identifying with lived experience of the justice system are encouraged to apply. A police check result does not automatically disqualify an application which in each case will be individually assessed forthe relevant role. If you require any adjustments throughout the application or recruitment process please Any information disclosed will be held in the strictest of confidence.