Lawyer (Casual) - Custody Notification Service (CNS)

CUSTODY NOTIFICATION SERVICE (CNS)
Lawyer (Casual)

Do you want to use your legal skills to help people? This is a great opportunity for lawyers wanting to do important work. We need lawyers willing to work outside of the standard '9-5 regime'. Custody Notification Service training is provided. Previous criminal law experience is desirable but not essential.

Salary commensurate with experience and as follows:

• Casual rate $42.49 to $55.21 per hour (restricted practice $39.66 to $40.43 per hour) plus 25% casual loading and superannuation
• CNS operates 24-hours, 7-days a week, which requires flexible availability to work days/nights/weekends/public holidays including OUTSIDE of standard working hours – shifts are 8 hours long
• Outside of standard working hours requires ability to work from home

Applications will only be considered from persons residing in the Perth Metro region.

Please note, shift work is an essential requirement of this position.
About the service

The Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Limited (ALSWA) provides a 24-hour seven day per week custody notification service (CNS) for all Aboriginal people detained in a police facility in Western Australia.

The CNS provides a culturally competent and thorough welfare service complemented by access to necessary legal advice. The CNS adopts a dual welfare / legal approach and is staffed by culturally competent, trauma informed employees.

The CNS maximises the ability for the immediate health and welfare needs of Aboriginal people taken into police custody to be identified and addressed and consequently reduce Aboriginal deaths in custody.

About the role

Due to the 24-hour seven-day model, all roles will require flexibility of hours with contact time outside of normal working hours including weekends and public holidays. When outside of standard hours coverage is required, the successful candidate must be able to conduct their duties from their home (or other approved location).

The duties of the lawyer are to:

• Ensure all telephone calls on the CNS phone line are answered on a first call basis, and if not possible, the call is returned as per procedural requirements
• Ensure that the immediate health, safety, and wellbeing needs of the detained person are identified and work with police, family and other services to ensure those welfare concerns are addressed
• Where ongoing welfare needs are identified, work with the CNS support workers and refer the person to available community-based services
• Make referrals to emergency/crisis services at all times
• Monitor police conduct and report to the managing lawyer as required
• After the initial welfare inquiry, where relevant and with consent of the detained person, provide appropriate legal advice
• Liaise with police, family and other agencies as required to explore bail options (and/or access to diversionary options) for the detained person with a view to minimising unnecessary remands in custody
• Enable appropriate referrals to legal services following the cessation of the CNS service
• Ensure that non-CNS legal services including ALSWA are advised of possible charges, court dates, bail status and other relevant legal issues.
• Ensure all aspects of file management and data entry are undertaken in accordance with professional standards

About you

This position requires a responsible person who is compassionate and self-motivated with well-developed interpersonal skills and personal integrity. Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, society and the issues affecting Aboriginal people required. An ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

To be considered for a CNS opportunity, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Eligibility to hold a current WA Practicing Certificate
• Ability to obtain a satisfactory police clearance and hold a Working with Children Check card
• High level organisational and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work with Aboriginal clients and employees with an appropriate level of cultural understanding, empathy and sensitivity
• *Ability to work a rotating rosterconsisting of 8-hour day, afternoon or night shifts.  This will include weekends and public holidays
• Ability to work from home when on shift outside of standard working hours
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team comprising legal and non-legal staff with a willingness to learn and share knowledge with others
• Highly developed communication skills (interpersonal, written and verbal) with experience in conflict resolution and the ability to communicate well over the phone
• Highly developed conceptual and analytical skills
• Ability to confidently use workplace technology
• Ability to work in a sensitive manner with clients

*SHIFT HOURS

Day Shift am to 4.00pm

Afternoon Shift pm to 12.00am

Night Shift am to 8.00am

Please note, shift work is an essential requirement of this position. Applicants need not apply if unable to work shifts, in particular afternoon and night shifts.

About our benefits

We have a friendly, caring and diverse work environment. We offer free counselling services to employees and immediate family through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and opportunities for professional development.

In addition, these roles will attract overtime payment for work conducted outside standard hours.

About us

ALSWA is a not for profit independent government funded organisation working to provide high quality representation and assistance to the Aboriginal community in WA.

Our aim is to deliver a quality legal service and education which contributes to participation, empowerment and recognition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout WA. ALSWA has 11 offices across regional WA and practices in the areas of criminal, civil, human rights and family law, as well as law reform, community legal education, and programs to assist Aboriginal youth, bail support, work and development permit scheme and the Custody Notification Service.

We live our values of caring, sharing and respect.

How to apply

To submit your application, please click the 'Apply' button or send your application to  .

Your application must include a copy of your resume, a cover letter outlining your strengths, and confirm your ability to work shifts.  Selection criteria is not required.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity in further detail, please contact ALSWA Human Resources on

For full position details, roles and responsibilities please visit the employment section of 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are seeking to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the differing needs of our clients and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees. ALSWA strongly encourages applications from Indigenous Australians. We also encourage applications from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. We provide an environment that values diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential

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