• Full time 12-month contract

South Australian Native Title Services (SANTS) is the Native Title Service Provider for South Australia. We work with native title claimants and holders to provide native title services in our state. We are looking for a Legal Officer to work with our existing Legal Team to provide legal services to South Australian Aboriginal communities.

The role will report to our Principal Legal Officer and duties include: 

• Provide legal and strategic advice to, native title holders, native title claimants and PBCs on native title and related matters.
• Contribute legal and strategic advice to SANTS.
• Manage the progress of assigned native title claims, including: management of Federal Court proceedings, mediation, future acts, ILUA and other negotiations.
• Liaise with native title claimant groups and with relevant bodies, respondent parties and other relevant stakeholders concerning native title and related issues.
• Negotiate agreements relating to various future act matters including exploration and mining on behalf of native title claimants and holders.
• Prepare legal documents in relation to assigned native title proceedings, including applications for native title, consent determination negotiations, witness statements and other Court or mediation documents.
• Represent native title claimants and holders in Federal Court proceedings, National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) mediations, South Australian Native Title Resolution negotiations and other related negotiations.
• Brief and liaise with external legal service providers, Anthropologists and other experts.
• Provide advice and assist native title claimants and holders on the establishment of PBC’s and other Corporations.
• Liaise with Legal, Research, Legal Support and Management staff on progress of assigned legal matters.
• Comply with and observe legal duties and requirements.
• Utilisation of the SANTS records management system (including use of CONTENT MANAGER).

Based in the Adelaide CBD but with some intra and interstate travel, to be successful you will need: 

• To be admitted as a Solicitor in South Australia with a South Australian practicing certificate.
• 3 to 5 years of experience, preferably in native title.
• To have an understanding and experience of Australian Federal Court procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Australian societies and cultures, and the issues affecting these cultures in Australian society.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of the principles of dispute resolution and mediation.
• High level communication skills including the ability to provide clear, concise, and comprehensive advice both verbally and in writing, within and external to the organisation.

Benefits upon offer

• Attractive salary including 15% superannuation and Salary Sacrifice options
• Flexible time arrangements (includes accrual of flexi time worked)
• Accrual of TOIL hours (worked outside the span of flexi time)
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Additional public holidays (NAIDOC day, end of year break)
• Ceremonial leave
• Travel allowance for work trips away from Adelaide.
• Salary range between $87,000 – $130,000 per year (will commensurate with experience and qualification) 
• Get to work in a brand new, contemporary office right in the heart of CBD.

We strongly encourage First Nations candidates to apply.

Please submit your application letter and current resume via the "Apply Now" button.

For more information kindly contact Andrew Beckworth on 08 8110 2800 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Legal Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For a full position description please email [email protected]