Job Req ID

Home Affairs - 133187

Location

ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA

Classification

Senior Legal Officer - $117,669.00 and $140,872.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

Employment Type

Ongoing (Permanent), Full-time / Part-time

Flexible work

Flexible arrangements available

Contact Officer

Bernadette O'Sullivan on 02 6264 2692or bernadette.O'Sullivan@homeaffairs.gov.au

Applications close on 19/08/2024 at 11:59pm AEST (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

About our opportunity

This process is being used to fill a number of immediate vacancies. A merit pool may be established and used to fill similar vacancies for up to 18 months.

About our team

Group Manager Legal | Group Manager Legal | Legal Strategy & Services | Various

Legal Group is an inclusive and diverse team and we pride ourselves on supporting one another to deliver high quality products and outcomes for the portfolio Ministers and the Australian public. We enjoy working hard and celebrating our successes together as a team. We endeavour to bring out the best in each other and recognise that everyone has different strengths.

Legal Group is one of the largest in-house public service legal practices in the Commonwealth. It is responsible for delivering high quality in-house legal services to the Department of Home Affairs (including the Australian Border Force) and providing strategic legal advice and support to its Executive and Ministers.

Legal Group actively manages legal risk for a variety of public sector issues. The work of Legal Group is fast-paced and dynamic and covers a range of areas including national security law, aviation and maritime security, commercial law, employment law, migration and citizenship law, litigation, customs law, refugee and international law and legislative drafting.

The Department manages the largest litigation caseload in the Commonwealth, and its matters are at the cutting edge of administrative and public law. Legal Group also manages a large and dynamic legislative reform agenda and has its own in-house legal training program which supports staff to develop and expand their knowledge and skills.

Legal Group operates across six different branches. Senior Legal Officers have the opportunity to develop and broaden their legal skills across our practice areas. Additionally, Senior Legal Officers are supported to build their skills through various opportunities, such as on-the-job training, access to regular in-house legal seminars and sponsored workshops and courses.

Please visit our website for more information about the Department of Home Affairs or Australian Border Force

Our ideal candidate

As a Senior Legal Officer you will:

• Have the ability to actively manage and navigate complex legal issues with a relative degree of autonomy
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor your style and message to the intended audience
• Have an understanding of the organisation's objectives
• Take personal responsibility for meeting objectives and progressing work, and focus on achieving those objectives in the face of difficult circumstances
• Develop and maintain working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and anticipate and be responsive to their needs
• W ork collaboratively as an effective team member, and guide, mentor and develop more junior staff.

Duties and responsibilities

Senior Legal Officers are experienced, qualified and professional. They manage complex, often high profile and high volume caseloads, and provide guidance and assistance to legal officers in managing their cases. The work can be intensive and varied, and the team works within short timeframes on a daily basis. Senior Legal Officers have a good level of strategic awareness and are able to identify and address legal and strategic issues.

Senior Legal Officers have a considerable degree of autonomy in managing their caseloads, and often brief senior colleagues, the Executive and Ministers in preparation for attendance at various meetings and hearings, including Senate Estimates.

Senior Legal officers will also:

• Liaise with, and actively develop and maintain working relationships across the Legal Group, the wider Department and with external stakeholders
• Represent the Department's interests and positions during liaison and negotiation with external stakeholders
• Maintain detailed knowledge of specific legislation, case law, directions, instruments, principles and issues of relevance to the Department
• Supervise, mentor and support more junior lawyers, paralegals and clerks
• Create complete and accurate records in accordance with the Department's Recordkeeping Policy
• Provide and manage the provision of all legal services in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017.

Additional information

Essential Qualifications

• A degree in law from an Australian university, or a comparable overseas degree which is recognised in Australia for admission to practice
• Practising Certificate or eligibility to attain one
• 2 years post experience will be preferred

How to apply

Submit your application and CV through the Home Affairs’ recruitment system (ourPeople) before the closing date on 19/08/2024 at 11:59pm (midnight) AEST – Late applications will not be accepted.

As part of your application you will be required to prepare and submit a one-page applicant response document in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

• How your skills, knowledge, and experience will be relevant to this role

• Why you are interested in the role and what you can offer us

• Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role

Applicant response documents must be a minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format, include your full name and the Requisition Number – 133187 in the document footer.

Please ensure you read the instructions carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership Systems information relevant to the classification.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance and an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).

Diversity and inclusion

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Technical assistance

For technical enquiries please call or email for assistance:

• Email: recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au
• Phone: 1300 793 883 (within Australia) or +61 2 6196 0444 (outside of Australia)

Please include any applicable screen captures, a response will be provided during business hours.

Notes

The Department of Home Affairs offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.

The Department may provide relocation assistance to eligible APS employees required to relocate. The level of assistance will vary depending on the reason for relocating and your personal circumstances. For further information please enquire with the contact officer listed in the advertisement.

Information about employment and advice on how to apply for vacancies can be obtained from the Department’s website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers

Candidates should be aware that in roles where vaccination against COVID-19 is required by public health orders/directions or other legislation proof of vaccination will be required. If a candidate is not fully vaccinated or is unwilling to be vaccinated within a reasonable time period, they may not be offered that role.