Paralegal

• Full Time, Ongoing Opportunity
• Based in Parramatta CBD with hybrid and flexible work option

About the Department of Education

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population.

For more information about the Department of Education, please visit NSW Department of Education

About the Legal Services Directorate

Legal Services supports schools, regional and state offices to navigate the law to put students at the centre of decision-making. We are a trusted and credible partner, delivering excellent service and promoting community confidence in public education. Our legal advice and expertise builds organisational capabilities so that every student, every teacher, every leader and every school can improve, every year.

About the role

The Paralegal Officer provides legal, clerical and administrative support to legal officers and other staff within Legal Services

Key Accountabilities include:

• Provide legal, clerical and administrative support and high-quality client service in a professional manner.
• Respond to complex and sensitive enquiries and issues in accordance with the department’s standards, policies and procedures to provide accurate information regarding redress claims and other legal matters.
• Undertake research and projects work, draft legal documents (under supervision) and provide related administrative and legal support as required to contribute to the efficient operation of the directorate.
• Communicate with tact and discretion and refer enquiries to relevant Legal Services officers to support school principals and other senior officers in the effective management of the department’s operations.
• Assist with the preparation and delivery of legal education and training programs to internal and external stakeholders and clients to build capacity and understanding across the department.
• Assist with the collection of relevant legal data for reporting that informs and improves the department’s operations

Legal practice areas may include commercial, property, contracts, liability, discrimination, privacy, employment, attendance, civil, criminal and administrative law, and general litigation

For further information please view the role description

Essential requirements of the role

• Legal qualifications with eligibility to hold a current NSW legal practising certificate, or recent substantial completion of legal studies leading to a law degree for practice in NSW
• Working with Children Check clearance for paid employment or willingness to apply for clearance.

Benefits

With nearly 100,000 people working all over NSW, the Department of Education isn’t like any other workplace. You can customise your career track and experience benefits such as:

• the opportunity to make a real difference, doing important work in a varied, rewarding career in which you can make the most of your legal expertise across a variety of disciplines
• flexible working conditions, with a 35-hour week and generous leave entitlements that give you unrivalled work–life balance
• a dynamic workplace in an organisation committed to diversity and inclusion
• opportunities for advancement beyond the initial job description, with scope to move sideways as well as up and receive the professional support you need to discover new talents and interests
• a competitive salary

How to apply

Please attach your resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) to introduce yourself and explain why you would be a great fit for this role.

Closing date: Sunday, 4 September 2022 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Donna Tunstall at donna.tunstall@det.nsw.edu.au

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide a Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number and complete a National Criminal Record Check. Visit the website for more information.

Inclusion and Diversity: We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team (dandi@det.nsw.edu.au) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.”

A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process. A talent pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.