Senior Solicitor - Legal Officer Grade V - Ongoing and Talent Pool - Drug Court Parramatta

• Ongoing – Full-Time 35 hours per week
• Talent Pool – Parramatta Drug Court Team only
• Legal Officer Grade V (between $149,906 - $152,845 plus super & annual leave loading)
• Location – Parramatta

About us

Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas criminal law, family law and every day civil law legal issues. We give legal advice, help at court and do family dispute resolution. We can do this over the telephone or at one of our 28 offices.

About the role

Join Legal Aid NSW as a Senior Solicitor leading a team that appears predominantly at the Parramatta Drug Court.  The Drug Court a specialist court dedicated to addressing drug dependency and criminal offending. In this role, you will provide high-quality legal services, manage complex cases, and lead a team of dedicated legal professionals. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of disadvantaged individuals while working within a supportive and dynamic environment.

About you

If you have a passion for criminal law and a commitment to social justice, apply now! You will provide legal advice and representation to clients of Legal Aid NSW, including in more complex matters, in accordance with Legal Aid NSW policies and guidelines. Your contributions will help implement Legal Aid NSW’s mission to deliver high-quality legal services and assist clients in resolving their legal problems. Additionally, you will supervise and lead junior legal staff in achieving these goals.

We may create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!   

We are committed to diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.

We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities. 

We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need a reasonable adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you’d like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au

Other benefits of working with us

• You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.
• We are an accredited Flex Ready certified employer and are recognised as leaders in the area of flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life.

The essential requirements for this role

 You must: 

·       be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW

·       be able to provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us

·       be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check

·       hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies)

How to apply
 

You MUST submit your application online. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted.

Your application must include:

·       your resume (no more than 5 pages)

·       cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please respond to the following targeted questions:

1. Outline your experience working in (or knowledge of) therapeutic/diversion programs.
2. Outline your experience in managing or mentoring staff in criminal law teams.

Make sure your application is complete and you have answered all questions before you submit it.

Do you need help to apply?

It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:

• If you have questions about the role, you can contact the Hiring Manager – Sophia Mascia on 02 9219 5017 or email: sophia.mascia@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
• If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.
• The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role.
• The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate. 
• Applying for a Role
• Working at Legal Aid NSW