The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency Ltd (NAAJA) provides legal aid for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, with offices in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. We are recognised as a leading legal service and have received national and local human rights and crime prevention awards for our work.

NAAJA’s criminal law section is the largest criminal defence practice in the Northern Territory, with a reputation for high quality advocacy. We provide representation in summary and indictable criminal matters in Darwin and remote circuit courts, and undertake significant Supreme Court trial and appellate work on behalf of our Aboriginal clients.

The Custody Notification Service (CNS) Client Service Officer (CSO) is primarily responsible within this Service of providing a 24-hour legal advice and support phone line for Aboriginal people taken into police custody.

The position holder will:

• Be placed on a roster where they will be on-call 24 hours a day for periods of up to 7 days, by negotiation.

• Service the CNS phone line for the shifts allocated on weekends and out of hours.

The work requires high levels of motivation, energy, and a commitment to professional excellence.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The position reports directly to the Coordinator of the Custody Notification Service.

The position is a staff member in the NAAJA team and as such will contribute together with other work colleagues in collaborative teamwork and team building.

DUTIES

• Assess if the person in custody is facing any self-harm threat or requires any duty of care notification or response.
• Contact the person’s family to ensure parental or family concern for their whereabouts and health are minimized.
• Provide legal information over the CNS telephone to persons in custody.
• Complete CNS forms and logs.
• Service the CNS phone line for the shifts allocated on weekends and out of hours.
• Liaise with and update the CNS coordinator on any matters pertaining to the persons in custody.
• Develop and maintain stable, productive, professional and collaborative intra-office working relationships between all staff members.
• Ensure the lawful achievement of NAAJA core business objectives to the highest standards of probity and efficiency, and with due reference to the interests of all stakeholders.
• Ensure all policies and practices are ethical and comply with the NAAJA policies and workplace health and safety legislation and promote the establishment of equal employment and access in accordance with agreed statutory policy.
• Keep up-to-date on legal procedures and practices. Identify training needs and attend training to maintain professional standards.
• Other duties as directed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

• Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with clients, their families, communities and staff.
• Knowledge of and/or experience working in the criminal justice system within the Northern Territory.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; including the ability to effectively communicate with clients and police officers.
• Demonstrated initiative and an ability to provide a high level of client service.
• Experience in office procedures including word processing, email and file keeping, in particular the ability to generate and log relevant client related information.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team and meet deadlines without supervision.
• Ability/experience in liaising with other agencies, developing networks and contacts in other associated services such as emergency housing, policing, rehabilitation and community corrections/probation and parole.
• Ability to obtain a satisfactory “Working With Children Clearance” (Ochre Card) upon commencement.
• Satisfactory criminal history check and no history of disqualification from employment by a legal practice.
• Demonstrated commitment to the effective implementation of Workplace Health & Safety and Ethical and Diversity practices in the workplace.

Please note this is a 12 month contract position.