About SMLS

Established in 1973, South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) is a community legal centre that provides free legal assistance to people in Southeast Melbourne. SMLS provides legal information, advice and case work including representation for people experiencing disadvantage on a range of legal matters, such as family law and family violence, employment law, debt and fines, civil litigation, wills, power of attorney, and tenancy.

SMLS aims to empower and support members of the community to understand and make use of the law and the legal system to protect their rights and to increase their awareness of their legal responsibilities. SMLS is a strong advocate of and committed to the use of integrated service models to address multifaceted challenges facing our community members.

SMLS is committed to advocacy and social change. SMLS is a leader in the provision of community and clinical legal education; advocacy through policy submissions and lobbying; outreach services; and targeted referral programs.

Our Vision 

A fair and inclusive community where people can access the resources, networks and support they need to resolve legal issues and overcome barriers to social, cultural and economic inclusion and participation

Our Purpose

To help resolve people’s legal and interconnected issues and ensure that laws and legal processes are fair.

Our Values

Our core values are Respect, Community, Excellence and Courage.

Position Purpose

The Community Development Worker will bring a strong ability to facilitate dynamic and effective partnerships and programs to strengthen the community’s capacity for positive engagement with the legal system. Using a preventive approach, the CD worker undertakes community development projects, provides legal education and contributes to law reform to strengthen our community. Community development plays a key role in our work towards a legal system which is fair and accessible for all.

The Community Development Worker leads the successful planning, implementation and evaluation of a variety community legal education projects designed to empower and educate communities in the southeast, helping people to understand their legal rights and responsibilities. You will undertake community engagement, develop relevant strategies and implement a range of initiatives that best position SMLS to work alongside our communities to respond to community needs.

You will design and delivery a range of community legal education strategies across various programs within SMLS, including family violence and migration, sexual harassment and employment rights, and more.

Position Responsibilities

Program Delivery:

• Plan, develop and deliver effective community legal education content and projects
• Plan, develop and deliver community development projects and strategies in collaboration with relevant communities.  
• Stakeholder engagement
• Supervise the community engagement component of Monash Law students undertaking Clinical Legal Education at SMLS
• Develop evaluation and monitoring frameworks, data collection  
• Work collaboratively with the Community Development team to ensure successful programs and outcomes 
• Create reports, project acquittals and project plans
• Participate in SMLS Staff Meetings and team meetings 
• Data collection and recording

WHAT SMLS OFFERS

•  5 weeks annual leave
• Extra days off over Christmas and New Years
• Paid above award
• Cultural and ceremonial leave
• Family violence leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Professional development
• A culture of mentorship and opportunities for career progression

For further information, please see the attached Position Description. Any further questions can be directed to [email protected] using the subject line: Community Development Workers x2 enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please note: two part-time positions available - we will negotiate hours with the right candidates.