• Location: Based in the Canberra office.
• Position: Full-time
• Salary: Commensurate with experience.

The opportunity:

The Environmental Defenders Office has an exciting opportunity for an experienced lawyer to join our team and lead both the Canberra office and the organisation’s engagement with the Commonwealth Government. The successful candidate will be placed in a dual role, firstly leading our organisation’s legal service delivery in the Australian Capital Territory and secondly provide a key linkage for the office with the Commonwealth Government.

We are:

We are a national public interest environmental law centre, the largest in Australia Pacific. Over our 30 year history we’ve developed a formidable track record of empowering communities and delivering effective protection of the environment through legal services.

With the 8 Environmental Defenders Offices around Australia merging in late 2019, we are now entering a period of unparalleled growth necessary to meet the growing demands of the Australian public for public interest legal services to address environmental issues such as climate change.

We can see a future in which Australia’s environmental laws protect our communities from pollution, prevent extinction and restore our degraded climate and landscapes. We see a future where Australia’s laws protect current and future generations, providing a framework for a safe and habitable climate.

We play a crucial role in achieving that vision using legal expertise to empower communities and protect our environment. Through legal advocacy, litigation and community education, we are an organisation driven by environmental justice for people and passion for nature.

We provide the people of Australia with the assistance they need to protect the places they love. We offer a range of legal services not offered by any other organisation, including:

• A national skilled team of lawyers able to assist clients with preliminary advice through to court cases and other representation, on a wide range of subject matter areas.
• A network of scientists and other professionals able to provide input on environmental law issues.
• Community educators skilled in providing the resources needed to allow Australians to understand the law and participate in legal processes to protect the environment.

We are committed to providing a workplace based on diversity, inclusion and flexibility. We are happy to discuss how we might structure this role flexibly to suit you. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are encouraged to apply.

Candidate profile:

We’re looking for an experienced lawyer passionate about working in the public interest during this decade of consequence. We’re looking for someone who can not only oversee and taken on a standard public interest planning and environment practice, but also a lawyer with a vision for environmental advocacy in these challenging times - who is comfortable liaising with a wide range of stakeholders, and at the same time delivering effective results for clients. You will need to be enthusiastic, flexible, take initiative and have the maturity to lead a small local team. At a personal level you will be comfortable working with our distributed team across Australia.

Your experience/background:

• At least 5 years PAE, including litigation and advisory experience.
• Advocacy experience, including the confidence to engage with key stakeholders in government, business and community.
• Ability to think and work strategically, across themes and jurisdictions.
• Ability to engage in local and Commonwealth work.
• Interest in working with local students, keen to learn and make a difference in our changing environment.
• Experience managing a team and working with a range of colleagues with varying levels of experience.
• Ability to manage a small office, including applying for, administering and reporting on grants.

A Position Description is attached below.