Jobs & getting involved
Community legal centres offer the chance to perform rewarding social justice and human rights work in a dynamic environment. Working in a community legal centre is about making a real difference to people’s lives through the law.
- Current vacancies at the Federation
- Current vacancies in Victorian Community Legal Centres
- Current vacancies in Australian CLCs
- Current vacancies in other organisations
- Why work in a CLC?
- Law graduate positions
- Pro bono secondment schemes
- Volunteer in a CLC
- Volunteering at the Federation
- Management committees
- Donations
Current vacancies at the Federation
- Smart Justice Project Worker (casual short-term) – Advertisement – (Applications close 15 March)
- 2010 Graduate Lawyer - Recruitment Pack - (Applications close 26 March)
Current vacancies in Victorian Community Legal Centres
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Solicitor - Advertisement - Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre - (Applications close 12 March)
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Lawyer - Advertisement - Wyndham Legal Service - (Applications close 6 April)
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Community Legal Education Position - Advertisement - JobWatch
Current vacancies in Australian CLCs
For the latest jobs in community legal centres across Australia, go to the National Association of Community Legal Centres jobs website.
Current vacancies in other organisations
The positions advertised below are available at the relevant organisations. Please contact the organisation directly for any enquiries.
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New Lawyers Program (7 new lawyer positions) - Information Sheet - Victoria Legal Aid - (Applications close 12 March)
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Centre Administrator - Monash University, Casten Centre, Law Administration - (Applications close 12 March)
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Project Manager - Position Description, Invitation - Australian Legal Sector Alliance
Why work in a CLC?
Community legal centres provide opportunities to be involved in a range of justice work including legal advice and representation, community legal education and policy and law reform work aimed at developing a fairer legal system that better responds to the needs of the disadvantaged.
As well as a broad range of stimulating and challenging work, community legal centre positions can offer flexible work hours, regular professional development opportunities and generous charity tax benefits through salary packaging (essentially making part of your salary tax free).
Work in community legal centres requires dedication, innovation, resourcefulness, a commitment to excellence, great communication skills and a passion for social justice.
In addition to job opportunities, there are many other ways to get involved in the work of community legal centres, including secondments, volunteering at a CLC or at the Federation or joining a CLC management committee/board.
Law graduate positions
The Federation has now commenced its Community Legal Centre Law Graduate Scheme. This program, funded by a Legal Services Board Grant, provides an opportunity for one law graduate per year to start their legal career in Victorian community legal centres.
Applications are now open for the 2010 Graduate Lawyer position. The position will involve a 12 month contract with three placements in Victorian CLCs, one of which is a rural and regional CLC (with housing assistance). Toward the end of the 12 month period, the Federation will work with the graduate to identify ongoing employment opportunities within CLCs. The position will commence in August 2010. This position will be open to law graduates who will have completed (or are currently completing) their practical legal training and are eligible to be admitted to practice in August 2010. For further details download the Recruitment Pack.
For updates on the Community Legal Centre Law Graduate Scheme, follow us on twitter 
From time to time, other positions become available in community legal centres, including policy and community development work, which do not require that the worker be an admitted lawyer. These positions are advertised in the current vacancies section above.
Victoria Legal Aid in 2010 is launching its New Lawyers Program, which will recruit seven newly admitted or junior lawyers for a two year program. For details, see Current vacancies in other organisations.
Pro bono secondment schemes
Many private law firms have community law partnerships under the Attorney General’s Community Law Partnerships Scheme. Regular opportunities for secondment to a community legal centre arise under these partnerships. If you are working in a private firm and are interested in a secondment to a community legal centre, contact your pro bono coordinator to see what opportunities exist.
Management committees
Nearly all CLCs are community-managed organisations governed by volunteer management committees (boards).
CLCs need dedicated people with a range of experience to volunteer on committees of management. The time commitment varies, but most committees meet monthly. Most committee positions are elected at CLC annual general meetings, however some members can be co-opted during the year or appointed to fill casual vacancies.
If you are interested in volunteering on a CLC management committee, you should contact the CLC directly to express your interest. Alternatively, you could contact the Federation of CLCs at administration@fclc.org.au.
Donations
The Federation of Community Legal Centres has deductible gift recipient status, conferring tax deductibility on all donations of $2 or more.
If you would like to support the work of the Federation by making a donation;
Please make cheques payable to the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Victoria) Inc and send with your contact details to;
Federation of Community Legal Centres (Victoria) Inc
Suite 11 1st Floor
54 Victoria Street
Carlton South Vic 3053
If you would like to donate via EFT, please contact us;
P: (03) 9652 1500
E: administration@fclc.org.au
A statement of your contributions will be issued each year for taxation purposes.
