Aboriginal Graduate - Solicitor/Policy Officer LO I-III - Maylian Program

• Ongoing (35 hrs per week)
• Location Sydney (regional locations will be considered), with flexible working arrangements available.
• Legal Officer I-III, base salary ($74,050 - $125,521), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.

Your role

Undertake a range of legal activities in the relevant area/s of law or policy to contribute to efficient and effective legal support services and policy reform for the Law Reform and Legal Division within the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).

What you’ll do

As a graduate of the Maliyan Program you will be working in positions throughout the Law Reform and Legal Services (LRLS) Division. The Maliyan Program provides the opportunity for Legal Graduates to commence their careers in a supportive and flexible working environment.  The Maliyan Program is for a period of 24 months, the role is considered ongoing upon the successful completion of the program. You will be supported in applying for and obtaining permanent employment within the LRLS division.

Throughout the Maliyan Program, you will have the opportunity to rotate positions throughout the LRLS Division, this will provide you with the opportunity to make an informed decision of where to progress your career. If you are undergoing a Practical Legal Training Program, employment under the Maliyan Program may contribute towards the practical component that program.

Where suitable to you, your circumstances and your employer, your role can be flexible to include remote work, part time work or regional locations throughout NSW.

In your role, you will be working as part of a team to deliver legal support services and/or policy legislative reform. You will undertake legal and policy research and analysis, document drafting, assisting with stakeholder engagement and the provision of legal and policy advice under the supervision of your manager.

The majority of roles under the program are in the DCJ Legal and Policy, Reform and Legislation branches, however, there may be opportunities for roles within other branches throughout the LRLS Division.

The DCJ Legal branch is responsible for providing legal and litigation support to clients within the community and justice sectors and ensuring the common law and statutory powers of the Attorney General are exercised in accordance with the law. Spread across eight different practice groups DCJ Legal branch’s role is to:

• Provide legal advice to internal and external stakeholders
• Provide litigation and dispute resolution services to internal and external stakeholders
• Provide representation and advocacy services to internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure the department’s governance and compliance with current laws
• Provide Open Government, Information & Privacy services, including determining applications made under the GIPA Act and facilitating access to information under the Commonwealth Redress Scheme and via subpoenas/statutory notices and orders

Policy Reform and Legislation branch supports the development of the legislative program and provides parliamentary and administrative support services. This is primarily for the Attorney General but also includes a range of Ministers who have responsibility in the communities and justice sectors. Policy, Reform and Legislation branch is responsible for ensuring that the legal and policy framework of the Department is aligned with the government's current priorities. Policy Reform and Legislation's role is to:

• identify the need for, and formulate changes to, the law and criminal justice system,
• ensure quality legal policy advice is provided to the portfolio Ministers and to government,
• implement the portfolio Ministers' legislative programs, and inform the community about changes to, and the operation of, legislation within the relevant portfolios.

For more information on the Maliyan Program, click here.

What we’re looking for

• A passionate, driven graduate who is looking for a challenging and rewarding preview to the NSW Government, where you can make a difference from within.
• Completion of a law degree from an accredited law school or completion of the Legal Practitioners Admission Board’s Diploma in Law Course within the past 12 months or expected completion within three months of application.
• This role is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only.
• Willingness to undertake a Working with Children Check.
• Willingness to travel for regional or interstate commitments

Note: In accordance with Clause 26 of the NSW Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014 and in accordance with Sections 14 and 21 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 the Department of Communities and Justice considers that being of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent is a genuine occupational qualification for this role and preference will be given to candidates who meet the pre-established standards:

• Documented verification of Aboriginality.

The Department will accept proof of Aboriginality confirming the following:

1. You are an Aboriginal person of Aboriginal descent;
2. You identify as being Aboriginal; and

An acceptable form of documented verification is a “Confirmation of Aboriginality” letter, provided to you by a local Aboriginal organisation that includes a common seal from that organisation.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people by clicking here.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information?  Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close Sunday  9 June 2024 

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Annie Macleod on 0437 395 039 or at annie.macleod@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best, please call Paola Pina via paola.pina@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit our careers site.

Other Information

A Talent Pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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