• State-wide Talent Pool recruitment
• Legal Officer Grade I-III (between $74,050 – $125,521 plus super and annual leave loading)
• Criminal Law Division
We are looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander solicitors with experience or an interest in working in criminal law. If that is you, read on for this exciting opportunity in our Criminal Law Division. This is an Aboriginal identified recruitment. This means we want to recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for these roles. Identified positions help organisations hire Aboriginal people who bring their cultural knowledge, community experience and expertise to deliver services to Aboriginal communities and increase the cultural competency of the organisation. We are proud to have more Aboriginal solicitors than any legal practice in NSW and our aim is that 11% of all staff will be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
This is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Identified recruitment under Part 5, clause 26 of the Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014. Legal Aid NSW considers that being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification under Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). Applicants for this role must satisfy the Aboriginality criteria.
The pre-screening questions ask if you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Aboriginality is defined by descent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such.
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch for a confidential discussion by emailing
aboriginalservices@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.
Why you should join Legal Aid NSW!About usLegal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. Our legal services include legal advice, help at court and family dispute resolution. We can help people across NSW with most areas of criminal law, family law and every day civil law legal issues over the telephone, or at one of our 28 offices.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusionLegal Aid NSW is committed to being a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for all people and communities that work with and interact with us, where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.
We want people with diverse backgrounds to apply — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTIQA+ 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.
We strive to be a place where Aboriginal people want to work and where Aboriginal voices and culture are valued. Our commitment to having culturally safe workplaces, means that we will actively engage in culturally safe practices and deliver culturally safe services to Aboriginal people and communities. Our culturally safe recruitment practices mean we have at least one Aboriginal panel member for every Aboriginal Identified recruitment.
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.
About the roleThe successful candidate will provide criminal law advice and representation to clients of Legal Aid NSW. This work is undertaken in accordance with Legal Aid NSW policies and guidelines, contributing to the implementation of Legal Aid NSW's mission, to deliver high quality legal services to or clients and to assist them to resolve their legal problems.
About youThe successful applicant will be passionate about the provision of legal services to disadvantaged people in the criminal justice system. You will have strong communication skills to enable interaction with a range of stakeholders and strive for exceptional service delivery. Applicants should be hardworking, a team player, have a passion for criminal law and a desire to learn new skills as well as expanding upon existing strengths.
Essential requirements
- identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- 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
- be willing to undertake a Criminal Record Check and/or Working with Children Check
How to applyYou MUST submit your application online through
www.iworkfor.nsw.gov.au. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted. Your application must include:
- your resume (no more than 3 pages)
- cover letter (no more than1 page). In your cover letter, please respond to these two questions:
1. What are the major challenges you believe you will encounter as a lawyer providing legal services to disadvantaged people in the criminal justice system?
2. What strengths, skills and experience would you bring to the role to overcome these challenges?
Applicants should read the
Role Description and consider the Focus Capabilities and Key Accountabilities when preparing their resume and cover letter.
The selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining capability and suitability for the role.
This recruitment will be used to fill any current vacancies and may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future temporary or ongoing vacancies that may arise over the next 18 months.
Further Information
- Talent pool for future ongoing and temporary vacancies over the next 18 months
- Enquiries: Melissa Smith on (02) 9072 2365 or melissa.smith@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
- Salary Range $74,050 - $125,521 plus superannuation & leave loading.
- Closing Date: 5 May 2024 at 11:59pm
