EDO has an excellent opportunity out of our Brisbane office:
- Location: Brisbane based (remote working available)
- Term: 12 months with possibility of extension
- Full-time (0.8 FTE will be considered for the right applicant)
- Remuneration: SCHADS Level 5-6: FTE $84,500-97,948 + 10% super + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply
Job title: Solicitor / Senior Solicitor Southern & Central Queensland
Read the position description:
Reporting to: Managing Lawyer, Southern & Central Queensland
Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the leading environmental law practice in the Australia Pacific Region delivering legal solutions for peoples, nature and our climate. We have a big vision which is a world where nature thrives. We’ve got big ambition about the role we can play in delivering that vision and we’ve got an incredible team across the country working to achieve it.
We are dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy. Over our 30-year combined history we’ve developed a formidable track record of empowering communities and delivering effective protection of the environment through legal services.
As the region’s legal experts in our field, we aim to be a brave, unified, and focused team, committed to inclusion and excellence in all that we do. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace supporting a highly skilled, engaged, and effective team, where everyone can feel that they belong.
The opportunity:
We are looking for a talented lawyer with demonstrated litigation experience to join our Southern and Central Queensland Team within our Healthy Environment and Justice (HEJ) Program.
This role offers the opportunity to make an impact on climate and environmental justice in Queensland. You will work on a broad range of environmental issues in Queensland with a focus on climate justice, pollution, mining and gas, as well as cultural heritage, biodiversity and human rights. The Southern and Central Queensland Practice focuses particularly on working with First Nations people and remote and regional communities on environmental and climate justice issues. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is based in Brisbane, however remote working options will be considered for the right candidate.
Candidate Profile:
You are a litigation lawyer looking for an opportunity to use your skillset and experience to work with the largest public interest environmental law centre in the region. Lawyers who think outside the box and want a chance to think creatively about delivering systemic change are strongly encouraged to apply.
You will have an unrestricted practising certificate, and strong PAE working as a lawyer with demonstrated litigation experience. This position represents an opportunity to deliver on human rights, climate change and the environment and offer a high level of autonomy. Lawyers who think outside the box and want a chance to think creatively about delivering systemic change are strongly encouraged to apply.
You want to work at the intersect of climate justice, human rights, the rights of First Nations and the environment and want an opportunity to make an impact for peoples and nature.
Key selection criteria:
Core skills
An unrestricted practicing certificate or entitlement to one a minimum of 2 years PAE working as a solicitor including litigation, 4 + years PAE highly desirable
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- Demonstrated experience in administrative, law, environmental law and/or related disciplines, experience in the Queensland jurisdiction highly desirable
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make sound judgements and decisions based on consideration of different views
- Demonstrated ability to work productively and to deadlines
- Excellent oral and written communication skills suited to a range of audiences
Substantive experience
- Demonstrated litigation experience in administrative or environmental law and/or related disciplines
- Capacity to undertake law reform or policy, experience desirable
- Demonstrated experience working with First Nations people or diverse communities and individuals highly desirable
Personal qualities and cultural competency
- A champion of the EDO values
- Strong initiative and self-motivation
- Commitment to the protection of human rights and the environment
- A strong sense of ethics and understanding of professional obligations
- Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of First Nations and peoples from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture
- Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment
Our Culture and Benefits:
- We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected, and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or life stage.
- The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific
- A very flexible and family-friendly workplace
- Option to work from home and the office
- Paid parental leave
- 15 Days personal/carer’s leave
- Extra leave over the Christmas period
- Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
- EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee and a Mental Health Ambassador Committee, and is developing a First Nations Program with the aid of indigenous-led consultancies
Our Values
Commitment – We are committed to; a united organisation, to each other, to collaboration, to justice, to our communities and to creating a world where nature thrives.
Diversity – We are respectful of and welcome diversity of staff, volunteers, offices, environmental regions, communities, stakeholders.
Integrity – We work effectively, efficiently, strategically, professionally, and ethically; “justice is in our nature”.
Vision – We lead change and environmental empowerment using innovation, creativity, and courage.
How to Apply
All offers of employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.
EDO particularly encourages applications from Pacific Island people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people living with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the selection criteria. Applications which do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
Applications close on Monday, 25 April 2022. Applications should be emailed to [email protected] with ‘Application for position of Solicitor – Southern and Central Queensland’. in the subject line.
