Paralegal

Knowmore Legal Service is a nationwide service, supporting victim-survivors of childhood abuse and the Stolen Generations in accessing legal redress and justice. We offer free, confidential services to help victim-survivors navigate their compensation and redress options, including through assistance in applying to the National Redress Scheme, Victims of Crime Compensation Schemes, and the Territories Stolen Generation Redress Scheme.

Our team provides free legal assistance, financial counselling, social support and specialised cultural support for First Nations people. With a trauma-informed and culturally safe approach, we empower victim-survivors to make informed choices on their path to healing and justice.

At Knowmore we stand with victim-survivors every step of the way.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR PARALEGALS WHO HAVE

• A relevant legal tertiary qualification or working towards one

• The ability to work in a trauma-informed way

• The ability to work in ways that recognise and counteract privilege and bias, and appreciate the values, traditions, belief systems, and experience of First Nations People

• The ability to deliver plain language advice and information

• Sound computer skills

• A willingness to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team

• A commitment to social justice, and a good level of resilience, self-care and focused management of own wellbeing

• Maintain ability to work independently and also contribute positively as a part of a team.

• Maintain a high level of attention to detail in all activities but especially in record keeping, data entry and filing.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

You will work as part of the legal team, under their supervision to:

• Assist lawyers with the day-to-day management of client files including the recording of information into the database

• Assist with drafting of correspondence and documents

• Undertake legal and other required research

• Coordinate record requests and related enquires

• Collate records for compensation referrals

• Analyse client records to assist with statement preparation

• Assist clients with enquires and coordinating both internal and external appointments

• Assist with drafting and revision of client and community legal education materials.

KNOWMORE'S APPROACH;

Our Legal Team works closely with our Social Workers and Counsellors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Advisers and Financial Counsellors to ensure our clients needs are met. You can confidently focus on providing trauma-informed legal services knowing that these other teams are providing these additional support and advice. Our work is underpinned by our values of respect, team-work, courage, integrity and innovation.

WHAT WE OFFER:

We know that in working with people who have experienced trauma it is important that our workplaces and employment conditions are also trauma informed.

Our work-places provide time out spaces for our people to take a break and re-charge. There are couches, puzzles and always food

We provide the following benefits:

• General leave entitlements, with shut down between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day without deduction from your annual leave

• 5 weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading

• Not-for-Profit salary packaging options through our provider including general expense, parking, novated lease, and meals and entertainment programs

• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid arrangements of 2 days working from home, pro-rated for part time (following a qualifying period during probation and assessment of the home office environment)

• Access to paid regular external supervision, in addition to regular work supervision

• Generous professional training and development opportunities in addition to our core training requirements

• Access to EAP

• Additional 0.5% superannuation on top of the guaranteed rate

WHAT OUR STAFF SAY ABOUT US:

"Highly supportive, safe, collegial and relaxed environment"

"The strength and resilience of our clients is incredibly empowering. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to support them on their healing journey and advocate for justice."

"Meaningful, dynamic, supportive"

"The work we do has real and meaningful purpose and impacts. It is very rewarding as a lawyer to work towards a bigger goal, that is not financial in motive. Hearing feedback that we have made a positive change in a client's life, even a small change, is very fulfilling."

"The legal team is extremely supportive and working in a multidisciplinary team is invaluable."

"The work done at knowmore is fulfilling in the sense that you know at the end of the day, all your hours and energy are going into making just that little bit of positive difference in someone's life. This is made even better from the workplace culture which prioritises mental wellbeing."

We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of diversity to apply. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from multicultural backgrounds, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with diverse abilities and experiences. Your unique perspective is valued here.

HOW TO APPLY

Your application must include:

A cover letter outlining why you are applying for this position and your responses to the key selection criteria A resume with your skills, experience and qualifications

The role will be required to satisfactorily complete a National Police Records Check and Working with Children.

Further Information about Knowmore is available at

MEET AUNTY GLENDRA

Aunty Glendra Stubbs is a Wiradjuri woman and an Elder in Residence at Knowmore. She has been supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients since Knowmore began in 2013. In this video, Aunty Glendra shares her story about working at Knowmore and supporting her clients on their journey. See the video below.

We are committed to a trauma-informed and culturally safe approach, walking alongside victim-survivors every step of the way.

We recognise and value the strength that diversity brings to our work. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all ages with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from multicultural, multifaith and linguistically diverse communities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability. Your unique perspective and voice are not only welcome—they are essential to the work we do.

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