ABOUT RAILS

The Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) is a community legal centre based in South Brisbane. For over 40 years, RAILS has provided free legal assistance and education in immigration and refugee law to people in Queensland.

RAILS assists some of the most vulnerable people in our community, predominantly refugees, asylum seekers and people who have experienced family violence. RAILS strives to empower them and help them find and remain in safety.

RAILS is a member of Community Legal Centres Australia and is registered as a Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for Profit Commission.

ABOUT THE POSITION

• Job Title: Senior Solicitor (unrestricted practicing certificate required, post admission experience five years plus preferred)
• Hours: full-time preferred, 2 year contract
• Salary: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award, Level 6: from $102,504 plus additional 11% superannuation
• Responsible to: Senior Supervising Solicitor
• Direct reports: early career lawyers, paralegals, legal volunteers, law students
• Work arrangements: in person from RAILS office in South Brisbane. WFH for part of the working week can be accommodated

RAILS is seeking a senior solicitor on their unrestricted practicing certificate. Immigration law experience is preferred with in-depth knowledge and experience representing clients in the following areas highly desirable:

• Onshore protection (Department and Tribunal level) including complex matters;
• Family violence provisions in the Migration Regulations (Department and Tribunal level); and
• Judicial review of Migration and Refugee matters.

The senior solicitor will provide assistance to people seeking asylum and work on complex protection visa matters at both the Department and Tribunal levels. They will also provide advice and representation to people relying on the family violence provisions in the Migration Regulations.

This role is of fundamental importance to the delivery of excellent legal services by RAILS and contributes to positively changing clients’ lives.

RAILS requires a dedicated, flexible and positive professional who enjoys providing high quality legal services to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and who is able to effectively communicate with people who are culturally and linguistically diverse and who experience several layers of disadvantage.

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

• an attractive remuneration package from $102, 504.00 with an additional 11% superannuation;
• flexible working arrangements including the accrual of FLEX and TOIL;
• generous leave entitlements (paid parental leave, cultural and special leave provisions; portable long service leave) including additional paid leave over end of year shut down; an
• attractive no cost salary sacrifice options.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

RAILS is committed to being a culturally safe and inclusive organisation and has policies in place to create and maintain appropriate work practices and a respectful work environment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and otherwise culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply for this role.

Please let us know if you would like us to share our Cultural Safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Policy with you before applying for this role by emailing [email protected] with Attention Susan Hogarth: Senior solicitor position in the subject line.

If you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or otherwise culturally and linguistically diverse and would like to speak to us about the role requirements and your application before applying, please email [email protected] with Attention Susan Hogarth: Senior solicitor position in the subject line.

This recruitment process is strictly confidential and information about your application will not be shared with anyone outside of the organisation.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Holder of an unrestricted practicing certificate in Queensland or ability to immediately gain registration with 5 years post admission experience.
2. Be registered on the High Court’s Register of Practitioners.
3. In-depth knowledge of immigration law and practice, with experience in protection visa work at the Department and Tribunal level. Additionally experience working with clients relying on the family violence provisions and/ or judicial review of migration and refugee matters preferred.
4. Ability to advocate effectively on behalf of clients.
5. Ability to work within the casework guidelines of RAILS, the Australian solicitor conduct rules and manage a large caseload.
6. Ability to supervise early career lawyers, paralegals, law student volunteers and university clinic students.
7. Ability to work efficiently and as an effective team member.
8. Understanding of issues facing culturally diverse communities and ability to work and communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
9. Demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of, the principles social justice and the role of a community legal centre within a social justice framework.

Successful applicants may be required to complete additional clearance checks.

The senior solicitor position at RAILS is available for immediate start and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible indicating their availability to start in the role.

RAILS will begin assessing applications on receipt. RAILS anticipates notifying short-listed applicants prior to the end of year closure with interviews to be scheduled on 9 January 2024. It is anticipated that further opportunities to become part of the RAILS legal team will become available in the first few months of 2024 and a merit list will be compiled from the application process.

Any questions about this position should be directed to [email protected], including 'Attention Susan Hogarth: Senior solicitor position' in the subject line. Susan Hogarth, senior supervising solicitor, will be the contact person for this position and will be available to discuss further details about this position as required.

A position description is attached.