ABOUT US

Seniors Rights Service has been assisting older Australians as the leading provider of legal services, aged care advocacy and rights education and information to seniors in NSW since 1986. Seniors Rights Service provides support to older people to know and assert their rights. We have a free legal service as well as aged care advocacy and service system navigator programs. Seniors Rights Service also delivers community education and information of relevance to older people across NSW.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Boarding House Project Officer will engage with older people living in boarding houses across NSW to provide advice on their rights, representation, advocacy and create and deliver community legal education. The Project Officer will also conduct research into issues faced by, and barriers to, older people living in boarding houses asserting their rights. This role may also assist with other legal issues and matters as required.

This role will work effectively as a collaborative team member with other staff, volunteers and law students.

Seniors Rights Service operates in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment which requires flexibility, adaptability and initiative as well as excellent organisation and critical thinking skills.

This role has access to hybrid work arrangements which include a blend of community-based, office-based and remote working arrangements. This position is full-time on a max-term contract arrangement to the end of June 2025, aligning with our current funding period.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct research into the legal issues faced by and needs of older people living in boarding houses
• Create Seniors Rights Service-specific written resources to assist older people living in boarding houses
• Provide phone, virtual and face-to-face advice and casework to older people who may be disadvantaged
• Represent clients in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
• Assist in the development of community legal education resources and promotional materials
• Present community legal education seminars to older persons across NSW as required
• Assist with law reform projects
• Provide casework and client matter reports for inclusion in staff and board meetings, law reform submission and funding body reports
• Contributing to team discussions to improve service provision to callers and clients
• Attend and participate in CLCNSW and CLCA Conferences as appropriate
• Maintain the highest ethical standards both with clients and other staff and members of the community generally
• Participate in Seniors Rights Service’s Performance and Development Review program
• Promote safe work practices that are consistent with Seniors Rights Service’s policies and comply with WHS legislation and ensure strategies are in place to monitor and support individual and team wellbeing
• Promote and actively support a safe and inclusive working environment that celebrates everyone’s uniqueness, including their race, gender identity, age, disability, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and experiences
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of effective policies and procedures
• Some intrastate travel is required
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the Principal Solicitor, Manager Legal Services

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Experience as a Tenants Advocate and/or other relevant experience working with people living in boarding houses
• Demonstrated experience providing boarding house, residential tenancy, residential land lease community advice or advice in other related areas of law or the willingness to quickly acquire the knowledge
• Experience in project management
• Excellent legal research skills
• Experience developing and presenting community legal education sessions and the ability to travel within NSW to present these sessions
• Autonomy, passion, and the ability to work well in a team with a strong commitment to social justice
• Excellent computer skills, experience in data entry and fluent in Microsoft Office 365
• Willingness to obtain an annual flu vaccination and be fully COVID-19 vaccinated
• Hold a valid National Criminal History check and driver’s license

To be considered for this role you will need to address the selection criteria and provide your CV. Applications close 8 October 2023.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A collaborative and fun work culture in a growing organisation
• Great flexibility with access to hybrid work arrangements
• SCHADS award Level 5.1 with NFP Salary Packaging benefits
• 15 days personal/carer’s leave each year
• Gifted leave between Christmas and New Year
• Additional Long Service Leave provisions

At Seniors Rights Service, we seek a workforce that is as diverse as our society - in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality and cultures - and one that reflects the communities we work in. We believe diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and core values and we demonstrate this commitment through all our employment practices. Our inclusive workplace culture contributes to making Seniors Rights Service a great place to work. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People to apply.