Receptionist

The Organisation

Westjustice is a community organisation that provides free legal help to people in the Western suburbs of Melbourne.

We can help with a broad range of everyday legal problems including consumer disputes, credit and debt, family law and family violence, fines, motor vehicle accidents, tenancy, youth criminal law and more.

We have offices in Sunshine and Werribee, as well as a number of outreach services. Visit our Legal Help page to find out more.

Westjustice’s purpose is to deliver targeted services and drive meaningful change. 

Benefits and Culture

• Be a part of an organisation that 98% of our team are proud to work for
• We pay 3% above the SCHADs award
• Salary packaging
• Up to 5 hours study leave per week
• Flexible working conditions
• 5% annual leave loading
• Passionate, professional and dedicated team
• Gifted additional paid leave over the summer holiday period
• Strong focus on wellbeing
• Ongoing commitment to being a diverse and inclusive organisation
• With 90% of our team recommending Westjustice as a great place to work we can provide a culture of a values driven, inclusive, feedback oriented workplace

The Role

Westjustice is seeking to employ a full-time Receptionist on a 12-month fixed term contract, (with potential for a longer-term contract depending on availability of funding) to join our Operations team.

This role will be a part of the Operations Team, reporting to the Office Manager, you will provide reception services including answering calls and attending to clients (remotely and in person).  

Role Requirements:

• Refer clients to appropriate legal and other services
• Schedule appointments
• Maintain general office area, including reception, waiting area. kitchens and meeting rooms
• Maintain secure and effective client services in a confidential and sensitive environment
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders to better understand and support program objectives and outcomes
• Ensure processes relating to client meetings, appointments and deliveries are managed effectively with guidance and support form the Office Manager

You will also have:

• Relevant experience in an administrative role – including use of Microsoft Office Suit and client database software
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and maintain confidentiality
• Sound organisational, time management and planning skills including the ability to prioritise tasks and manage competing demands under pressure
• Quick learner
• Highly developed active listening and communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and professional telephone manner
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

This position is based in our Werribee Office but will be required to work at our other offices and/or clinic sites, as need arises.

Remuneration:

Salary range – $68,000 per annum - $74,200 per annum (dependent on experience) employer funded superannuation in accordance with Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).

For more information about Westjustice, please visit our website (www.westjustice.org.au)

Please apply by 5pm, 26 February 2025 by sending your resume together with a cover letter responding to the key selection criteria in the Position Description to recruitment@westjustice.org.au. Alternatively, please call Habibah Kassar, Operations Manager, on 03 9749 7720 for a confidential discussion.

For a copy of the position description please click here.

Late applications will not be considered.

The successful applicant will require a current Working with Children’s Check and a Police Check or be prepared to apply for both. People with lived experience of the justice system are encouraged to apply. A police check result does not automatically disqualify an application which in each case will be individually assessed for the relevant role.  Applicants must possess the right to work in Australia.

Westjustice is committed to building a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTIQA+-identifying people.   People with lived experience of the justice system are encouraged to apply. A police check result does not automatically disqualify an application which in each case will be individually assessed for the relevant role.

If you require any adjustments throughout the application or recruitment process please contact recruitment@westjustice.org.au 

Practical Legal Traineeship Placements – Westjustice

Westjustice is currently looking for Practical Legal Trainees (PLT) to work 2 days per week. The placement is for a minimum of 20 days over 10 weeks (2 set days a week). We are we are recruiting for placement opportunities all year round with flexible start dates.

Westjustice are a leading community legal centre providing free services to vulnerable and disadvantaged people. From our offices in Werribee and Sunshine and through our outreach services we provide advice on a broad range of issues including employment, discrimination, consumer disputes, tenancy, credit and debt, family disputes, family violence, criminal law and more.

Westjustice’s vision and purpose

• Fairness, safety, and justice for Melbourne’s West​

• We deliver targeted services and drive meaningful change​

Westjustice delivers

• Targeted legal, financial counselling​ and social work services​

• Empowerment through education and community development​
• Advocacy and system reform​
• Develop and nurture impactful networks and relationships​
• Prevention and early intervention that addresses the causes and impacts ​

The Practical Legal Training (PLT) Program at Westjustice

PLTs provide a vital contribution to our work and the functioning of our team. Successful applicants will gain valuable and practical experience and training working under the supervision of experienced lawyers within the following programs:

• Family Law Family Violence Program (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
• Youth Law Program (Wednesdays and Fridays)
• Economic Justice Program (Mondays and Thursdays)
• Employment and Equality Law Program (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

For specific information on the above listed programs, please refer to our website.

Key Responsibilities/Expectations can include:

• Triaging and preparing matters under guidance of the lawyers
• Coordinating court lists andcommunicating with external key stakeholders across multiple digital platforms under guidance of the lawyers
• Conducting intake (basic instructions) with clients, many of whom are from culturally and linguistically marginalised backgrounds, experiencing poverty, family/intimate partner violence
• Collating and analysing court documents
• File management tasks
• Preparing and sending correspondence with guidance of a lawyer
• Data entry
• Legal research, analysis and problem solving to assist lawyers with their case work

Key Selection Criteria:

• A degree in law
• Be currently completing your Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (through Leo Cussen or an equivalent institution).
• Ability to undertake a minimum of 20 days (2 set days per week) of practical legal training at Westjustice over 10 weeks
• Ability to work from our office located in Sunshine or various outreach locations across Melbourne
• Ability to attend the various Courts and Tribunals across Melbourne
• Excellent IT skills, including use of real time portals, Sharepoint, Actionstep (or case management systems), Teams, Microsoft Office, Outlook
• Strong commitment to social justice, including a demonstrated understanding of the social context of law, crime, family violence, discrimination and the issues faced by vulnerable young people in our community and the ability to contribute to Westjustice’s systemic impact work
• Ability to listen to and engage with vulnerable, distressed or disadvantaged clients
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• High level personal skills, including resilience and the ability to communicate and consult effectively
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a can-do attitude when offering solutions
• Excellent attention to detail and a friendly demeanour
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Confident, strong initiative, compassionate, with an interest in community legal work
• Thrives in a busy and sometimes unpredictable environment
• Competency in working with diverse communities, including LGBTIQA+, Disability and multicultural communities

*Please note that PLT positions are unpaid*

We offer a robust structured training program that includes practical skills workshops, and a Certificate of Completion is awarded upon completion of the 10-week program.

How to Apply:

To apply, please email a cover letter that indicates your interest in each of the programs in order of preference, addresses the key selection criteria (maximum 2 pages) and your CV to recruitment@westjustice.org.au . Please note, we will try to allocate successful applicants to their preferred programs, but this may not always be possible. Please use the subject line: PLT [your name] application.

Feel free to email us any questions you may have via the above email address.

The successful applicant will require a current Working with Children’s Check and Police Check. People with lived experience of the justice system are encouraged to apply. A police check result does not automatically disqualify an application which in each case will be individually assessed for the relevant role. Applicants must also have the right to work in Australia. If you require any adjustments throughout the application or recruitment process please contact recruitment@westjustice.org.au

Westjustice is committed to building a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTIQA+ identifying people. 

Please contact us on (03) 9749 7720 if you wish to make a donation to WEstjustice.

Donations over $2.00 are tax deductable.

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Unfortunately, WEstjustice does not currently have any vacancies.

WEstjustice relies heavily on the work of legal and non-legal volunteers. Volunteer roles include:

• Policy volunteers (at capacity)
• Administrative volunteers (at capacity)
• Paralegal volunteers (at capacity)
• Solicitor volunteers (at capacity)

Skills we require of all of our volunteers include:

• Excellent communication skills
• High attention to detail
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Reliability and punctuality

We ask that volunteers give us a minimum commitment of twelve months.

Demand for volunteer positions may vary.

If there is a position available and you are a suitable candidate, we will contact you. 

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Westjustice has several current PLT opportunity, please see here for more details.