Principal Solicitor Advisings and Community Protection Location – Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available Employment type – Ongoing full-time position (35 hrs per week) with a talent pool to be created for future temporary and ongoing opportunities Salary – Legal Officer VI, Base Salary ($148,885 – $152,021), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading Your role You will be a Principal Solicitor in the Advisings and Community Protection team in the Legal Branch of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ ).
The team provides legal advice and support to the Attorney General as First Law Officer in respect of his statutory and common law responsibilities, as well as other Ministers and Executives in DCJ.
The team provides advice and/or manages proceedings in relation to:
Applications for reviews of sentences and convictions, extinguishment of historical homosexual convictions and the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy.
Applications under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 and Costs in Criminal Cases Act 1967 , including determination of Act of Grace payments.
The Attorney General's common law or statutory powers and responsibilities including constitutional matters, prosecution of indictable matters, criminal contempt, vexatious proceedings, judicial review, charitable trusts, and the powers of government body agencies and officers.
High-risk offenders, forensic patients, parole and segregated and protective custody orders for inmates.
Management of inmates, detainees and/or paroles by Corrective Services NSW and Youth Justice NSW.
Through these functions, the team supports Attorney General, other portfolio Ministers and the DCJ more broadly and contributes to upholding the safety and protection of the community and maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
What you'll do As part of the Advisings and Community Protection team, you will:
Conduct highly complex and routine legal matters (advice, transaction and / or litigation) and supervise the conduct by solicitors Grades I-III, IV and V and paralegal staff within the functional group to ensure the provision of high quality, cost effective and client focussed legal services which contribute to the achievement of the goals of Legal and the Department's stakeholders/business units.
Closely assist management in the professional supervision and mentoring of staff and provision of legal services, including where assigned, coordinating the allocation of resources and workloads, monitoring business and staff performance, providing instruction and direction to enhance and motivate staff to create a cohesive and skilled team.
You will also:
Provide the highest level of legal services, advocacy and advice to clients, senior management, and staff in accordance with legislative requirements, policies, procedures, guidelines, precedents and practice standards.
Provide representation as solicitor advocate before Courts, Tribunals, and Commissions of Inquiry or where required, including matters against opposing counsel.
Supervise legal matters in accordance with relevant policies, procedures, guidelines in order to ensure high client service standards and satisfaction while developing staff and providing professional direction to ensure the delivery of quality legal services by staff within the functional group.
Develop and review the most complex and sensitive legal documents including legal records, correspondence, reports, submissions, briefing notes, contracts and other matters allocated.
Contribute to the development, review and implementation of complex legislation and policies and practice standards and provide ongoing monitoring and advice.
What we're looking for Extensive knowledge and experience in the relevant area/s of law impacting on the DCJ, including statutory and common law responsibilities of the Attorney General and other DCJ Ministers Experience in managing complex matters in a high volume and sensitive environment Experience in leading and managing a team of staff, including legal and non-legal staff Experience as a solicitor / advocate Legal Qualifications and eligibility to hold a practising certificate as a Government legal practitioner issued by the NSW Law Society, with condition 2 removed.
Where required hold a National Security Clearance at the appropriate level in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).
Some roles may require the ability to undertake travel for regional court and other commitments subject to the application of any discrimination legislation (including in respect of carer's responsibilities).
Appointments are subject to reference checks.
Some roles may also require the following checks / clearances:
National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 Download the role description.
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To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here.
Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity.
If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
What We Offer We offer a variety of benefits, including:
A challenging and rewarding career Flexible, autonomous work environment Competitive pay and conditions Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information?
Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters Working for DCJ provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference.
We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities.
We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage.
It's work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:
Targeted Question 1 - Outline your strong understanding of relevant legal areas including administrative law, litigation, and criminal law, as well as experience in conducting highly complex legal matters.
Targeted Question 2 - Describe your approach to managing competing priorities and developing staff to create a cohesive and skilled team and meet business goals.
Applications close: Sunday, 06 October 2024 at 11:59pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Anita Chen-Hatton, Director, Advisings and Community Protection, Legal Branch at
If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method of submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds.
This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.
Thank you for your interest in this role.
We look forward to receiving your application.
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