Overview
Legal Aid Commission, Office of the
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services to people across NSW. Our vision is to be a leader in a legal system that delivers fair outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
We use the law to help people to know, defend and assert their rights. Our services include:
- free legal advice
- legal representation
- specialist services such as assistance for people with fines, housing issues or domestic violence.
We are the largest legal service in NSW. We have 29 offices across the state and support our staff by offering career development opportunities and on the job learning.
We are leaders in flexible work! Most of our staff work flexibly, such as from home some of the time or on a personalised schedule to balance family and work.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Legal Support Officer is an absolutely critical role at Legal Aid NSW. They are often the first person a client will meet when they come into our office or to speak to on the phone.
Legal Support Officers need to be willing to talk to clients and ready to help people find what they need; whether that is helping a stressed client who needs legal advice or assisting/referring someone from another Government Department to a Legal Aid service. Legal Support officers are vital in undertaking administrative services like processing confidential documentation, booking appointments or gathering client information.
ABOUT YOU
We want to hear from people who:
• Have basic administration skills
• Will take the time to listen to clients
• Will assist clients in the way that they tell us is best for them
• Want to empower vulnerable people to defend their rights
• Are willing to learn
• Take initiative
• Work well in a busy environment with varied work and are team players
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
You do not need similar formal work experience to be considered. The only things that are essential are:
• Be willing to chat with people from all cultures who might be doing it tough or stressed
• Be keen to learn the job
You will also need to:
• Undertake a Criminal Record Check and/or working with Children Check (a criminal record does not necessarily mean you cannot be employed)
• Hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency for ongoing vacancies or hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or a valid visa to work in Australia for temporary vacancies
• Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to your commencement
HOW TO APPLY
Applications MUST be submitted online through www.iworkfor.nsw.gov.au to be considered. No late applications will be accepted.
Applicants should read the Role Description and consider the Focus Capabilities and Key Accountabilities when preparing their resume and cover letter.
Applicants are requested to attach:
• current resume / curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum 5 pages)
• cover letter (maximum 2 pages) responding to the following two questions:
1. Tell us what administrative skills, experience and qualities you can bring to this role which will assist you in providing excellent administrative support and customer service.
2. In this role you will be asked to perform different tasks with varying deadlines. How would you manage, plan and prioritise these tasks?
The cover letter must answer the questions. If you don’t answer the questions your application may not be considered.
The Guide to Applying for Legal Support Officer Roles at Legal Aid NSW provides you with some tips to draft your cover letter and resume:
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 and ongoing vacancies that may arise over the next 18 months.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
It will usually take around 4 weeks (after the closing date) to review all applications. We will then invite the shortlisted applicants to come for an interview and complete some tasks. Altogether it can take 8-12 weeks to be offered a job.
You may be offered a job that starts straight away or a spot in our Talent Pool, where you can be offered similar roles that become available, without having to re-apply.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
For Aboriginal specific information regarding working at Legal Aid NSW, our Aboriginal Staff network, career development opportunities and support systems please email: aboriginalservices@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.
Legal Aid NSW welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the LGBTI community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.
Legal Aid NSW provides dignified access to accommodate the diverse needs of our community. We acknowledge and support the access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities, as such all of our offices are accessible.
If you require a reasonable adjustment in order to participate in the recruitment process, or you are looking for general information about our reasonable adjustment process, please contact our team via email, and advise your preferred method of communication: erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.
Legal Aid NSW is committed to increasing its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to ensure the organisation is reflective of our client base. This position is targeted to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This recruitment activity is conducted in accordance with Rule 26 of the Government Sector Employment Rules 2014 in relation to employment of eligible persons. While this role is open to all applicants, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
FURTHER INFORMATION
• Temporary up to January 2023 at Dubbo
• Enquiries: Melissa Lay on (02) 6885 4233 or melissa.lay@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch for a confidential chat about how we will ensure this recruitment is culturally safe and why you should apply.
• Salary Range $66,298 – $72,077 plus superannuation & leave loading
• Jobs Board Ref No. 00008Y05
• Closing Date: 6 July 2022 [11:59pm]
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU APPLY
- Guide to Applying for Legal Support Officer Roles at Legal Aid NSW
- Applying for a Role in the NSW Public Service
- Working at Legal Aid NSW
To ensure recruitment at Legal Aid NSW continues without interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual methods may be used for interviews and assessments. This may include interviews conducted by video, telephone interviewing, Microsoft Teams meetings and online assessments.
