Paralegal - Prisons Coordination Team - Melbourne

• 12-month fixed-term opportunity
• Part time (3-4 days per week)
• Make a meaningful difference for survivors

The National Redress Scheme is entering its final stage, and there is urgent work to do. Before applications close, Knowmore is focused on helping as many survivors as possible understand their options, access legal advice and make informed decisions about applying for redress.

As part of the Prisons Coordination Team, you will provide paralegal support to lawyers assisting incarcerated survivors. This will include supporting the delivery of legal services to clients in custodial settings and assisting with the coordination of matter between clients, correctional facilities, Knowmore staff and external service providers.

About Knowmore

Knowmore is a free, independent and confidential legal service. Our work is trauma-informed, culturally safe and survivor-centred. We recognise that every person’s experience is different, and we are committed to providing advice and support in a way that is respectful, empowering and responsive to each client’s needs.

You will be part of a supportive and friendly team environment where collaboration, learning and wellbeing matter. We value people who bring empathy, sound judgement, cultural humility and a commitment to social justice.

We are looking for Paralegals who have

• A relevant legal tertiary qualification or working towards one
• The ability to work in a trauma-informed way
• The ability to work in ways that recognise and counteract privilege and bias, and appreciate the values, traditions, belief systems, and experience of First Nations People
• The ability to deliver plain language advice and information
• Sound computer skills
• A willingness to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• A commitment to social justice, and a good level of resilience, self-care and focused management of own wellbeing
• Maintain the ability to work independently and also contribute positively as a part of a team
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail in all activities but especially in record keeping, data entry and filing

About the role:

You will work as part of the legal team, under their supervision to:

• Assist lawyers with the day-to-day management of client files including the recording of information into the database
• Assist with drafting of correspondence and documents
• Undertake legal and other required research
• Coordinate record requests and related enquires
• Collate records for compensation referrals
• Analyse client records to assist with statement preparation
• Assist clients with enquires and coordinating both internal and external appointments
• Assist with drafting and revision of client and community legal education materials.
• An interest in working with people in custodial settings and supporting clients experiencing complex and potentially traumatic circumstances.
• The ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with clients in custody and work collaboratively with correctional facilities and relevel service providers.

What we offer:

We know that in working with people who have experienced trauma it is important that our workplaces and employment conditions are also trauma informed.

Our workplaces provide time out spaces for our people to take a break and re-charge. There are couches, puzzles and always food!

We provide the following benefits:

• General leave entitlements, with shut down between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day without deduction from your annual leave
• 17.5% leave loading on annual leave
• Not-for-Profit salary packaging options through our provider including general expense, parking, novated lease, and meals and entertainment programs
• Access to paid regular external supervision, in addition to regular work supervision
• Generous professional training and development opportunities in addition to our core training requirements
• Access to EAP
• Additional 0.5% superannuation on top of the guaranteed rate

How to apply

Apply Now to join Knowmore and help survivors access the advice and support they need before redress scheme applications close.

Visit https://knowmore.org.au/about-us/work-at-knowmore/ for further information.

Applications will be screened as they are received.

Your application must include a cover letter outlining why you are applying for this position and how you meet the requirements of the role, along with a resume detailing your skills, experience and qualifications.

The role will be required to satisfactorily complete a National Police Records Check and Working with Children.

We recognise and value the strength that diversity brings to our work. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all ages with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from multicultural, multifaith and linguistically diverse communities, members of the

LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability. Your unique perspective and voice are not only welcome—they are essential to the work we do.