ABOUT RAILS

The Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) is a community legal centre based in South Brisbane. For over 40 years, RAILS has provided free legal assistance and education in immigration and refugee law to people in Queensland.

RAILS assists some of the most vulnerable people in our community, predominantly refugees, asylum seekers and people who have experienced family violence. RAILS strives to empower them and help them find and remain in safety.

RAILS is a member of Community Legal Centres Australia and is registered as a Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for Profit Commission. RAILS genuinely values our staff and our workplace is ethical, supportive, positive and inclusive.

ABOUT THE POSITION

• Job Title: Solicitor
• Hours: Full-time preferred, 18-month contract with the possibility of extension
• Salary: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award
• Level 4 or 5: From $82000 to 98000 plus additional 11% superannuation
• Responsible to: Senior Supervising Solicitor
• Direct reports: Paralegals, legal volunteers, law students
• Work arrangements: In person from RAILS office in South Brisbane. WFH for part of the working week is an option

RAILS is expanding!

We have multiple legal positions to join our legal team to provide advice and representation to financially disadvantaged, culturally and linguistically diverse people applying for protection across Department, Tribunal and Judicial Review stages of the process. Solicitors on both restricted and unrestricted practising certificates will be considered. Immigration law experience is preferred with in-depth knowledge and experience representing clients in the following areas highly desirable:

• Onshore protection (Department and Tribunal level) including complex matters;
• Family violence provisions in the Migration Regulations (Department and Tribunal level); and
• Judicial review of Migration and Refugee matters.

RAILS requires dedicated, flexible and positive professionals who enjoy providing high quality legal services to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and who are able to effectively communicate with people who are culturally and linguistically diverse and who experience several layers of disadvantage.

The legal roles are of fundamental importance to the delivery of excellent legal services by RAILS and will contribute to positively changing clients’ lives.

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

• An attractive remuneration package from $82,000 up to $98,000 (depending on experience post admission) with an additional 11% superannuation;
• Flexible working arrangements including the accrual of FLEX and TOIL;
• Generous leave entitlements (paid parental leave, cultural and special leave provisions; portable long service leave) including additional paid leave over end of year shut down; and
• Attractive no cost salary sacrifice options.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Holder of either a restricted or unrestricted practicing certificate in Queensland or ability to immediately gain registration.
• Be registered on the High Court’s Register of Practitioners.
• In-depth knowledge of immigration law and practice, with experience in protection visa work at the Department and Tribunal level. Additionally, experience working with clients relying on the family violence provisions and/ or judicial review of migration and refugee matters preferred.
• Ability to advocate effectively on behalf of clients.
• Ability to work within the casework guidelines of RAILS, the Australian solicitor conduct rules and manage a large caseload.
• Ability to supervise early career lawyers, paralegals, law student volunteers and university clinic students.
• Ability to work efficiently and as an effective team member.
• Understanding of issues facing culturally diverse communities and ability to work and communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of, the principles social justice and the role of a community legal centre within a social justice framework.

Successful applicants may be required to complete additional clearance checks.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

RAILS is committed to being a culturally safe and inclusive organisation and has policies in place to create and maintain appropriate work practices and a respectful work environment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and otherwise culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply for this role.

Please let us know if you would like us to share our Cultural Safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Policy with you before applying for this role by emailing [email protected] using the subject line: Solicitors enquiry via EthicalJobs, Attention Susan Hogarth.

If you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or otherwise culturally and linguistically diverse and would like to speak to us about the role requirements and your application before applying, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Solicitors enquiry via EthicalJobs, Attention Susan Hogarth.

This recruitment process is strictly confidential and information about your application will not be shared with anyone outside of the organisation.

to apply

Solicitor positions at RAILS are available for immediate start and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible indicating their availability to start in the role.

RAILS will begin assessing applications on receipt.

Any questions about this position should be directed to [email protected] using the subject line: Solicitors enquiry via EthicalJobs, Attention Susan Hogarth. Susan Hogarth, senior supervising solicitor, will be the contact person for this position. Susan will be available to discuss further details about this position as required.