- 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.
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.