• Ref: 2024-116| Full-Time | Fixed Term till 30 June 2026| Dubbo, NSW
• Join our family law litigation army who are achieving transformative outcomes for Aboriginal kids and families.
• Get the satisfaction of achieving real change for Aboriginal families and communities, while working as part of a supportive and tight-knit team.
• Work in the Specialist Indigenous List, where you’ll gain unparalleled experience in alternative court processes and see first-hand how the justice system can work differently to do better by families.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The primary responsibility of the position is to assist in the delivery of high-quality legal support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients by performing a range of administration and research tasks as required.

WHY JOIN THE ALS TEAM?

At the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) you can make an impact. You will join a strong movement fighting for social justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

Our focus is our people: the people we support and the people we employ. We offer a career you can be proud of and a place where you feel safe to be yourself. We invest in our people and appreciate the rich diversity of lived experiences, languages, and culture.

Born out of a protest movement over 50 years ago, the ALS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW and the ACT. It’s an exciting time to be joining us. We recently received additional funding to deliver a range of new programs aimed at addressing systemic issues and driving structural reforms. This is creating significant opportunities for the ALS, our staff and communities.

As well as the satisfaction of working in a job that really matters, we offer our staff benefits including:

• Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax liability and maximise take-home pay
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%
• Career and professional development opportunities
• Access to personal counselling for you and your family
• Additional paid leave of up to 6 days per year, paid parental and study leave
• Flexible work options – talk to us about how we can make this role work for you

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Paralegal is part of the Care and Protection supporting ACFAS Team.

The Paralegal will be responsible for below but not limited to:

• High level of paralegal support for solicitors in client matters. matters.
• Assist solicitors at Court in appropriate cases, including note taking, as needed.
• Obtain supporting documentation and draft documents required by solicitors for the preparation of hearings in accordance with internal practice standards.
• Assist in researching matters of law or undertaking case reviews for solicitors, as required.
• Assist in client interviews, and drafting of applications, affidavits, and other court documents, as and where required.
• Liaise with government and non-government agencies, welfare agencies, courts, and other sections of the legal community in relation to clients of the ALS.

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Formal paralegal qualifications, or currently undertaking a law degree.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in the care and protection, and family law systems.
• Knowledge of support and referral services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients involved in the care and protection, and family law systems.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

ALS is committed to implementing safe recruitment practices. Your application may be subject to pre-employment checks such as reference checks, Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check, Right to work in Australia, COVID-19 vaccinations and National Police History check.

If you have questions about this role, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Paralegal - Care & Protection / Family Law Practice - Dubbo enquiry via EthicalJobs.