• Location: Australia wide - You will be based out of one of our EDO offices under our flexible working arrangements. Our list of office locations.
• Term: This position is a 12-month fixed term contract (parental leave cover)
• Full-time or Part-time: 4-5 days per week
• Remuneration: SCHADS Level 6-7: FTE $94-106k + 10% super + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply
• Reporting to: Managing Lawyer - Biodiversity

Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy.

The opportunity:

EDO’s national biodiversity legal practice to use your legal skills to provide legal advice, representation and education to clients to achieve EDO’s strategic outcomes, with a specific focus on protecting biodiversity.

The Biodiversity Team is part of our national Systemic Change Program and the position reports to the Managing Lawyer, Biodiversity.

Candidate profile:

Senior Solicitors will be expected to work closely with the Managing Lawyer to develop and implement planning for each program, and work with a higher level of autonomy and self-direction. This may include leading on media work, seminars, publications, as well as having carriage of litigation, law reform and advice work.

Key selection criteria

Core skills

• Holds or entitled to an unrestricted practicing certificate and a minimum of 5 years PAE working as a litigation solicitor, 3 + years PAE and experience in administrative and/or environmental law highly desirable
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on consideration of different views
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and to deadlines, and good file management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills suited to a range of audiences, including plain English communications with members of the public

Substantive experience

• Knowledge of and experience with environmental law (particularly native forestry) and/or related disciplines including administrative law.
• Demonstrated litigation experience in environmental law (particularly in NSW) and/or related disciplines including administrative law, including experience having carriage of legal proceedings in State and Federal jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities and individuals highly desirable
• Capacity to engage in law reform and community legal education

Personal qualities and cultural competency

• A champion of the agreed values of the EDO

Our Culture and Benefits:

• We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or life stage.

• The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific.
• A very flexible and family-friendly workplace.
• Option to work from home and the office.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• 15 Days Personal/carer’s leave.
• Extra leave over the Christmas period.
• Access to EAP.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion), and a Mental Health Ambassador Committee, and is developing a First Nations Indigenous Peoples Program with the aid of indigenous-led consultancies.

Our Values:

• Commitment – We are committed to; a united organisation, to each other, to collaboration, to justice, to our communities and to creating a world where nature thrives.
• Diversity – We are respectful of and welcome diversity of staff, volunteers, offices, environmental regions, communities, stakeholders.
• Integrity – We work effectively, efficiently, strategically, professionally, and ethically; “justice is in our nature”.
• Visionary – We lead change and environmental empowerment using innovation, creativity, and courage.

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.

EDO welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

For further information about the position contact the Managing Lawyer, Biodiversity by email at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Solicitor - Biodiversity - Australia-wide enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.