POLICY LAWYER

### Environmental Defenders Office Ltd

The EDO is a community legal centre specialising in public interest advocacy regarding environmental law and policy. We are seeking a Policy Lawyer to be part of a highly active and successful legal policy team. The Policy Lawyer will research and write submissions on high profile government proposals, develop discussion papers and other active policy initiatives, play a key stakeholder role in issues relating to environmental law and policy and provide legal policy advice to environmental groups. Salary $40,266 to $64,878 (depending on experience) plus superannuation.
Applications should be submitted via email to  HYPERLINK "mailto:[REDACTED EMAIL]" recruitment with 'Application for position of Policy Lawyer' in the subject line. Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the selection criteria. Applications which do not address the selection criteria will not be considered. For further information contact ████████ on [REDACTED PHONE] or email  HYPERLINK "mailto:[REDACTED EMAIL]" recruitment Applications close: Friday 4th February 2011, 5pm.

### Selection Criteria

- An undergraduate degree in law
- A sound understanding of environmental policy development processes
- A NSW practising certificate, or eligibility for admission to legal practice in NSW
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to communicate clearly in plain English
- High level research skills
- An excellent understanding of NSW, national and international environmental legal issues
- The ability to work with minimal supervision and to tight deadlines
- Commitment to the protection of the environment and public interest environmental law
- Duty Statement

The duties of the Policy Lawyer are:
1)  Policy and law reform responding to State and federal government policy and legislative proposals on important public interest environmental and planning law issues preparing written submissions and proactive discussion papers on topical issues, and appearing at parliamentary inquiries preparing drafting instructions for legislative proposals and amendments developing policy positions on specific public interest environmental and planning law issues undertaking legal consultancy work on behalf of conservation groups liaising, and attending meetings, with relevant stakeholders, including ELO meetings
2) Community Education participating in conference and legal education work generally preparing and presenting papers and workshops writing plain English educational materials preparing articles for EDO publications
3) Legal advice providing written and telephone advice to the public on a wide range of public interest environmental and planning law issues under supervision
4)  Administration assisting with office administration, such as library, computer and precedent systems maintaining appropriate records word-processing of own work
5) General
All staff have a responsibility to: develop and maintain a good knowledge of the role and policies of the EDO represent the EDO in a positive and effective manner attend, and contribute actively and constructively at staff meetings seek opportunities for personal and professional development, particularly related to the specific areas of responsibility detailed below assist in organising and supervising volunteers respond to requests by clients and fellow staff in a knowledgeable, professional, constructive and polite manner provide accurate and timely data on activities for the information of funding bodies Legal Aid NSW.