• Classification: Level 5
• Remuneration: $98,081 including super and attractive salary packaging options pro rata (0.8 FTE or $78,465)
• Type: Part-time fixed term contract until 30 June 2024
• We have a 0.8 FTE (four days/week) position available with an immediate start

An opportunity to make a difference

Caxton Legal Centre represents the interests of people who are disadvantaged or on a low income when they come into contact with the law. We do this by strategically advocating to government, providing legal advice and social work services, publishing legal information and building community awareness about the issues faced by the people we help.

This role supports the activities of the Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) which provides case managed legal assistance and social supports and community engagement activities across the Greater Brisbane Region to assist older people experiencing or at risk of experiencing elder abuse. This is a specialist role performed mainly in the Logan-Beaudesert area and focused on liaising and engaging with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their communities and organisations who support them.

Key accountabilities

• Identify, engage, consult and collaborate with key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, groups, and networks, as well as health, aged care and community providers in the Logan-Beaudesert area
• Provide information, referrals, and case managed supports/advocacy to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individual community members and their communities as part of the Seniors Legal and Support Service
• Identify emerging issues associated with preventing and responding to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at risk of or experiencing elder abuse
• Participate in the development and implementation of appropriate strategies to enhance access to the Seniors Legal and Support Service and ensure its services/activities are delivered in a culturally appropriate manner
• Contribute to the development of resources and deliver training/community engagement activities to raise awareness of elder abuse in First Nations communities and to give older First Nations people opportunities to be consulted on and guide the design and delivery of services that will address elder abuse in their communities
• Contribute to Caxton’s First Nations Plan and its activities and with other First Nations staff and volunteers, help to ensure that Caxton is culturally sensitive, safe, and welcoming to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Essential requirements

It is a genuine occupational requirement that this position be filled by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as permitted by and arguable under Section 25, 104 and 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act (1991). Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they:

1. Are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
2. Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
3. Are accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in which they live; and
4. Possess knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history.

To allow confirmation of eligibility to be considered for this role, the successful applicant will be required to assert their status in writing and also nominate a referee who is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander who can confirm their status.

Other requirements of the role include:

1. A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with and within First Nations communities, to achieve defined outcomes
2. Undertaking or completed studies in law, social work, social sciences, or community engagement is not mandatory but highly desirable
3. A drivers licence is required. However, reasonable adjustment will be considered.
4. A criminal history check, and a Working with Vulnerable People / Blue Card check will be undertaken for this position on the recommended applicant/s due to the nature of the work involved.

Depending on health laws and regulations, vaccinations can be mandatory in order to work with vulnerable clients and/or be in the workplace. For example, some clients live in residential age care facilities which at times are required by law/regulation to ensure visitors are vaccinated and wear personal protective equipment.

Why caxton legal?

Caxton Legal Centre has played a central part in Queensland’s legal landscape over the past 46 years, leading the state’s first Stolen Wages case, successfully representing well over 100 victims of the 2011 floods and continues to support clients affected by the 2022 floods, as well as paving the way for multidisciplinary service delivery to people experiencing elder abuse. We are an engaged, passionate and talented group of lawyers, social workers, and administrative staff with whom you are encouraged to collaborate and learn from in order to meet our client’s needs.

Our full-time staff enjoy a 35-hour working week paid at the full-time Award rate, salary packaging and with time off in lieu if additional approved hours are worked. Paid Christmas leave is provided during the office shut-down period in addition to four weeks paid annual leave.

The successful applicant will have the ability to work with clients with complex legal and social issues and assist clients who may have an impairment or be culturally or linguistically diverse.

These positions are designed to be based in South Brisbane alongside our other staff, however consideration can be made across the greater Brisbane area depending on need.

A position description is attached.