About the organisation:

BRQ provides information, advice, advocacy and free legal services statewide in relation to social security, disability discrimination and women in the workplace. Advice is provided to all, casework, including representation, is provided only to vulnerable clients who are unable to advocate for themselves. BRQ undertakes community legal education activities to assist people to understand their rights and legal processes and to provide community workers with the knowledge they need to support their clients through them. BRQ are guided by the following Values:

• Fairness
• Access
• Inclusion
• Transparency
• Respect
• Responsiveness
• Expertise

About the position:

The position of Senior Solicitor in the Working Women Queensland team provides advice, casework, education and duty lawyer services to women in Queensland in relation to employment matters. They are responsible for ensuring the delivery of accurate and appropriate client work services which reflect best practice, including trauma-informed approaches. As a Senior team member, they provide guidance and support to other solicitors, industrial officers, students and volunteers. Some Community Legal Education and engagement work will also be part of this role.

Role responsibilities:

• Provide, and assist the Principal Solicitor/WWQ Director to ensure high-quality advice and casework services for BRQ’s clients by:
  • Providing timely, efficient and effective, specialist information, advice, support, advocacy and resources to clients to address workplace matters, uphold their rights and understand their obligations at work.
  • Assisting clients to prepare and lodge relevant applications and complaints within appropriate jurisdictions and to relevant authorities.
  • Recording client data accurately, maintaining high quality advice notes and case work records and being prepared to demonstrate that the needs of clients are adequately addressed.
  • Following legal and administrative practices of BRQ, including the BRQ Policy Manual and the NACLC Risk Management Guide.
• Assist the Principal Solicitor/WWQ Director as a Nominated Person to review and check advice and casework of Working Women Queensland Solicitors and Advocates to ensure compliance with the professional obligations of an Australian Legal Practitioner or other obligations imposed under the Act;
• Perform the responsibilities of the Principal Solicitor/WWQ Director when they are temporarily unavailable, or act in higher duties when Principal Solicitor is on leave.
• Support the Principal Solicitor/WWQ Director in the training and supervision of other Working Women Queensland advisors, including solicitors, social workers, law clerks, students and volunteers.
• Maintain and share up to date knowledge, analytical skills and practice in the field of industrial relations and employment.
• Provision of duty lawyer services as part of the legal team roster;
• Actively maintain collaboration and referral processes within BRQ and with other professions and contribute to expanding pro bono and professional support to clients;
• Participate in research projects and in the preparation of submissions to relevant inquiries in relation to women and other specified industrial relations issues as required;
• Contribute to the development and delivery of community education and information sessions and resources as required;
• Identify areas of law and policy where systemic advocacy and law reform work would be beneficial for our client groups and work with the WWQ Director to develop and undertake appropriate activities as required;
• Provide supervision for student placements;
• Provide guidance and support to other team members, particularly with new team members;
• As a senior member of the team, under guidance of the Principal Solicitor/WWQ Director you may be requested to assist with tasks including:
  • Identifying process improvement opportunities within the team and working with the Principal Solicitor/WWQ Director to implement.
  • Collation of data and preparation of reports; and
  • Coordinating the delivery of Community education and information sessions
• Contribute to a positive workplace culture, championing organisational values and contributing to the overall development of BRQ;
• Work in a healthy and safe manner and encourage others to do the same, including adherence to all relevant policies and processes; and
• Other duties as directed by the Director / CEO.

WHY CHOOSE BRQ?

• Generous Enterprise Agreement based on the SCHADS Award with above award conditions including two weeks additional paid leave for closure over the Christmas/New Year, salary packaging, and TOIL/Flex provisions.
• Brisbane city location.
• Supportive team culture and values-based environment

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

To discuss the role please contact BRQ’s CEO, Kara Cook – [email protected] using the subject line: Employment Solicitor - Working Women Queensland enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.