Description

About the Position Principal Legal Officer– multiple roles

Department of Climate Change Energy the Environment and Water The Chief Counsel Division is managed by the Chief Counsel and is comprised of both lawyers and non-lawyers. Together we are responsible for all legal services required by the department. We partner with the business areas of the department, the Executive, and the Secretary to identify and manage legal risk across the department and facilitate excellent legal outcomes for our clients.As a member of the Division you will be part of growing our legal practice, and will be involved in interesting and important work which may span environment protection, energy, climate change and heritage, and on-ground operations in Commonwealth national parks and Antarctica. Providing legal advice on a broad range of issues including statutory interpretation and administrative law, regulatory actions and investigations and commercial work and funding activities;Managing the department’s litigation across a broad range of matters including merits review, judicial review, regulatory enforcement, commercial disputes, and Work Health and Safety matters, in a range of Courts and Tribunals; Developing legal risk and mitigation strategies, particularly in areas of novel or complex work;Developing and coordinating legislation bids and processes, including drafting instructions for the department’s ambitious legislative reform agenda; Developing legal guidance resources and delivering training to the department; Coordinating freedom of information requests and privacy advice; andProviding administrative and financial support services to the Division. The Chief Counsel Division operates in a fast paced, exciting environment. We focus on ensuring our staff are supported and developed so that they are in the best position to take on and enjoy the challenges of the work. We provide competitive conditions and remuneration and provide opportunities for lawyers to either specialise or diversify their skills, while learning from and being supported by highly skilled senior lawyers.The Job Principal Legal Officers hold a leadership role in the Chief Counsel Division. They display honesty and integrity and help to drive the vision and direction of the Division. There are multiple positions available across all legal practice areas. In this role you will: Be responsible for motivating, mentoring, and leading a section to deliver on initiatives and goals whilst striving to create an inclusive, responsive and effective work environment;Use your technical expertise to provide complex and sensitive legal advice which identifies both legal requirements and areas of legal risk; Identify whole-of-government and department issues and work towards delivering quality government outcomes; Provide strategic legal advice to the Executive and the Minister;Mentor and guide junior lawyers, build the capacity of team members, manage performance and wellbeing, and identify development needs and opportunities; Liaise and engage with other internal or external professionals as necessary to exchange views, seek advice and ensure positive outcomes; Engage with the Senior Executive and key clients to understand their business and provide solutions-focussed advice;Participate in the divisional leadership group, provide input to management decisions and strategic planning, and contribute to the vision of the Division. Undertake corporate duties which may include reporting, responding to coords, and risk identification and mitigation processes; Take responsibility for maintaining your professional knowledge and expertise;Manage the staffing profile of your team, including overseeing and managing the use of providers and contractors; Represent the department or division as required at inter-agency, executive, or external meetings; and Oversee and prepare a range of written material including parliamentary and ministerial documents.What we are looking for Knowledge and experience Candidates must hold a degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution and be admitted to practice in . The successful candidate will have significant previous experience in legal practice, with a minimum of five years post-admission experience.The successful candidate will possess, or have the ability to quickly gain, an extensive knowledge of the legislative frameworks, decision-making processes and guidelines relevant to the department. The department is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, mature aged employees and carers.Skills and capabilities The successful candidate will: Have significant technical expertise in the delivery of legal advice in a relevant area of law, including the ability to identify and analyse complex or sensitive issues and provide strategic advice in an accurate, pragmatic, timely and professional manner;Effectively manage a diverse case load and manage competing and changing priorities with resilience; Build and maintain effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and the Executive and the Ministers’ Offices; Develop a good understanding of clients’ business and their strengths and limitations, and identify ways to build on capability where required;Lead, develop and mentor lawyers and build a cohesive and collaborative team; and Use appropriate strategies to resolve conflicts or issues with sound judgement, and approach challenging interactions with care and sensitivity. Notes Pool of Merit: Applicants rated as suitable will be placed in a pool of merit that may be used to fill similar positions throughout the Agency for up to 18 months.Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Report this job advert

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