• Location: Australia-wide 
• Term: Ongoing 
• Part-time: 30 hours per week  
• Remuneration: SCHADS Level 4: $93,698 ($74,958 pro rata) + 12% Superannuation + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply
• Reporting to: Managing Lawyer, QLD

Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy. 

Since time immemorial, First Nations and Indigenous peoples have been taking care of their Countries in Australia and the Pacific. These deep understandings, knowledges and experiences are critical to maintaining the health and vitality of Australia and the Pacific’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. EDO respects these great knowledges and strongly believes that EDO cannot achieve a world where nature thrives without working for First Nations and Indigenous peoples.

The opportunity

Apply your administrative expertise within a values-led organisation that is at the forefront of protecting the environment, advancing climate justice and supporting communities through the law.

Reporting to the Managing Lawyer, Queensland, you will play a key role in supporting the efficient delivery of EDO’s legal services and the smooth operation of our Meanjin/Brisbane office. Working closely with the Meanjin/Brisbane team and Region QLD team, you will provide high-quality administrative and practice support to the legal team and oversee the day-to-day administrative functions of the office.  

Candidate Profile

Are you an organised and proactive administrator looking to use your skills to support meaningful environmental and social change?

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys keeping legal operations running smoothly. You will bring exceptional organisational skills, strong attention to detail and a collaborative approach to supporting a busy legal team. Working closely with lawyers and colleagues across the organisation, you will provide high-quality administrative and practice support, help coordinate the day-to-day operations of our Meanjin/Brisbane office and contribute to the effective delivery of EDO's legal services.

If you are looking for a role where your administrative expertise can make a genuine difference while supporting a passionate, purpose-driven team, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the Legal Administrator include but are not limited to: 

Legal Administration:

• Supporting solicitors in the preparation and management of legal documents, including legal briefs, legal files, correspondence, and other court-related documentation. 
• Supporting solicitors with legal tasks e.g. typing or copying of documents, preparation of presentation materials, urgent court filings, proofreading, performing conflict of interest checks and data entry. 
• Manage the team’s legal files, including opening, closing, filing, and archiving. 
• Update and maintain legal databases, registers, and other electronic and hard-copy records. 
• Liaise with clients, barristers and other parties as directed. 
• Assist with litigation disbursements, client invoicing and cost agreements. 
• Assist solicitors and volunteers to understand and use EDO’s file management systems. 
• Entry of new intake into file management systems where required by team, apply intake guidelines or policies, and assist National Intake Solicitor as required. 
• Support the legal volunteer program, including induction, and rostering. 
• Assist senior staff with reporting on legal service delivery as per grant agreements or other compliance reports. 
• Other ad hoc tasks as required for the benefit of the team & occasional support to other legal teams. 

General Administration:

• Reception: Greet visitors, direct phone calls, respond to or redirect emails, and handle post 
• Monitor and order staff amenities and office supplies 
• Liaise with building manager and monitor WHS issues 
• Troubleshoot IT issues 
• Assistance with meetings and events 
• General office duties 
• Office related projects as they arise including but not limited to office renovations/reconfigurations 

Key selection criteria

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience in a legal administration, legal assistant or similar administrative role, with the ability to provide high-quality practice support in a fast-paced professional environment. 
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records and deliver high-quality work with strong attention to detail. 
• Proven ability to support the day-to-day operations of an office, including coordinating administrative processes, managing facilities and resources, and acting as a key point of contact for staff and visitors. 
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships, provide excellent client service and collaborate effectively with lawyers and colleagues across the organisation. 

Desirable:

• Experience in or alongside the non-profit, social enterprise, or advocacy sector. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal or document management systems, together with the ability to learn new technologies and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information. 

Personal qualities and cultural competency:

• A champion of the EDO values. 
• Strong initiative and self-motivation. 
• Commitment to the protection of human rights and the environment. 
• A strong sense of ethics and understanding of professional obligations. 
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of First Nations and peoples from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment. 

Our Culture and Benefits

 We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or life stage.

• The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific. 
• A very flexible and family-friendly workplace. 
• Option to work from home. 
• 8 weeks paid parental leave, regardless of gender or carer status. 
• 15 days personal/carers leave. 
• 20 days annual leave. 
• 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave per year. 
• 3 days paid cultural leave per year. 
• Extra paid leave over the Christmas period. 
• Opportunities and encouragement to attend NAIDOC week events. 
• ICIP and Colonial Loading protection within employment contract. 
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program. 
• Ongoing professional development opportunities. 
• EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee and a Mental Health Ambassador Committee, and has developed a First Nations Program with the aid of indigenous-led consultancies.  
• Three Affinity groups for the following: Disability, Global Majority* and LGBTQIA+  

*Global Majority is a collective term that first and foremost speaks to and encourages those so-called, to think of themselves as belonging to the majority on planet earth. It refers to people who are Black, African, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’.   

Our Values

• Commitment – We are committed to; a united organisation, to each other, to collaboration, to justice, to our communities and to creating a world where nature thrives.   
  
• Diversity – We are respectful of and welcome diversity of staff, volunteers, offices, environmental regions, communities, stakeholders.  
• Integrity – We work effectively, efficiently, strategically, professionally, and ethically; “justice is in our nature”.   
  
• Vision – We lead change and environmental empowerment using innovation, creativity, and courage.   

How to Apply

• Apply via the ‘Apply Now’ button.
• To review the position description, please see this link HERE 

If you have queries regarding this advertisement, please contact us at [email protected] using the subject line: Legal Administrator - Queensland - Australia-Wide enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applications will be assessed as they are received so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. 

Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the key selection criteria above. 

The Key Selection Criteria show the minimum essential requirements of the position. The desirable criteria outline additional attributes which would enable the successful candidate to perform the role more effectively; they are not essential but may be used to distinguish between applicants during the shortlisting process.

EDO particularly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Pacific Island people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Please note: Your application may be considered for future roles at the EDO within the next 12 months without additional advertising. Please notify us in your application if you would not like to be considered for similar roles beyond this recruitment. 

If you have any accessibility needs for the recruitment or interviewing process, please let us know in your application or by emailing [email protected].

Other Information

All offers of employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.