About SMLS

South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) is a community legal centre providing free legal help to people experiencing disadvantage in South-East Melbourne. We deliver legal information, advice and casework across family law and family violence, employment law, fines and infringements, debt, civil law, tenancy, and wills and powers of attorney.

Our vision is a fair and inclusive community where people can resolve legal issues and overcome barriers to social, cultural and economic participation.

The role

We’re seeking a Community Engagement Lawyer to lead and deliver community legal education and engagement initiatives with multicultural and linguistically diverse communities.

In this 12-month fixed term role (0.8 FTE or full-time) you will design and deliver culturally safe legal education, co-create resources with communities, and contribute to law reform informed by what you see on the ground. The role also includes some legal advice, limited casework and warm referrals as part of our integrated service model.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, develop and deliver community legal education workshops, webinars and outreach sessions.
• Co-design plain language legal resources (e.g. fact sheets, videos, podcasts) on priority topics such as tenancy, family law, fines, employment and family violence.
• Build and maintain partnerships with multicultural organisations, migrant resource centres, religious groups and community leaders.
• Identify emerging legal issues and barriers and feed these into SMLS’s advocacy and law reform work.
• Provide legal advice, limited casework and warm referrals to support clients holistically.

About you

You are a values-driven lawyer who communicates clearly, builds trust quickly and enjoys working alongside communities for social change.

You will bring:

• Eligibility to hold (or current) unrestricted Victorian practising certificate, with 2+ years post-admission experience.
• Understanding of community legal education and adult learning principles.
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and awareness of systemic barriers.
• Strong communication skills, including confidence in public speaking and group facilitation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with legal, social work and community development colleagues.
• A strong commitment to social justice and human rights.

It’s a bonus if you have:

• Experience in a community legal centre or not-for-profit.
• Knowledge of legal issues impacting migrants and refugees (e.g. immigration, employment rights, family violence).

What we offer

• Salary under the SCHADS Award, based on skills and experience, plus salary packaging.
• 5 weeks’ annual leave, plus additional paid days over Christmas–New Year.
• Cultural and ceremonial leave, additional family violence leave and gender affirmation leave.
• Supportive, flexible and values-led workplace with strong focus on wellbeing and development.

Location and hours

This role is based across our Springvale and Narre Warren offices, with outreach to community and court locations in South-East Melbourne. It is offered at 0.8 FTE or full-time on a 12 month fixed term contract, with possibility of extension subject to ongoing funding.

Please indicate whether you are applying for 0.8 FTE or full-time.

A position description is attached.

SMLS is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, people with lived experience of the justice system, and people of all genders and sexualities.