Solicitor(Identified) - LO I - III - Inquests, Inquiries and Representation

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Solicitor (Identified)

Inquests, Inquiries and Representation - DCJ Legal

• Principal location - Parramatta - Flexible working arrangements available
• Employment type - Temporary (Until May Full time (35 hours)
• Salary - Legal Officer - Grade I - III, Base Salary $79,322 - $134,458, plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only

Your role

This is a unique opportunity to use your legal skills to support justice outcomes for Aboriginal people, including in high-profile inquests and inquiries.

We are seeking an Aboriginal Solicitor with 0-3 years post-qualification experience to provide efficient and effective legal services to our clients and staff. In particular, we are seeking an Aboriginal solicitor who can bring greater cultural sensitivity and awareness to the role of representing the Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW in coronial inquests into deaths in custody and other matters.

What you'll do

You will join the Inquests, Inquiries and Representation team, which plays a key role in supporting coroners and judicial officers in significant inquiries and inquests. The team represents the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), the Attorney General, and other government agencies in legal proceedings that often involve sensitive or high-profile issues including deaths in custody and investigations conducted by oversight bodies.

Reporting to a Solicitor Advocate, you will:

• Provide efficient and effective legal services to clients and staff in the relevant area/s of law, which are culturally safe and appropriate
• Contribute to the preparation and management of litigation and advise on legal matters with cultural sensitivity and awareness of issues impacting Aboriginal communities
• Assist in preparing and reviewing legal documents, such as legal records, correspondence, submissions, briefing notes, contracts, and reports
• Provide legal support on coronial inquests, interstate prisoner transfers, and anti-discrimination matters,
• Support the creation of legal education materials, including updates to the team's website and reports
• Undertake work and administrative activities and tasks allocated within established standards, procedures, policies and delegations.
• Apply a culturally competent approach in all legal work, engaging respectfully with Aboriginal clients and stakeholders
• Work as part of a collaborative and experienced legal team committed to justice, integrity, and cultural safety.

What we're looking for

• Proven ability to deliver high-quality legal services in complex and sensitive matters
• Demonstrated understanding of legal and social issues impacting Aboriginal communities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including legal drafting and advocacy
• Aboriginality and cultural capability to provide safe, informed and appropriate legal services to Aboriginal people and communities
• Admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in an Australian jurisdiction, entitling practice in NSW
• Current and valid Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012
• Willingness to undertake travel for regional court and other commitments subject to the application of any discrimination legislation (including in respect of carer's responsibilities).

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia's First Nations people. Where a position is identified, an applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

• Confirmation of Aboriginality form; or
• Written confirmation from 2 - 3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addressed the three criteria listed below about you:
• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusions Act 2014

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role, as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close: Sunday, 9 November 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Kathleen McKinlay at

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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