About us The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services. About the role The Public Law and Disputes Team provides legal advice and in-house counsel to senior Departmental staff, other areas of DGS and DGS Ministers on a broad spectrum of public law and dispute-related matters affecting the Department. The Public Law and Disputes Team's work includes advice on statutory interpretation, machinery of government, constitutional law (state and federal), administrative law, equal opportunity legislation, executive inquiries (such as royal commissions), privacy and freedom of information. The team also manages general litigation files on behalf of the department, including instructing external solicitors and counsel and with the potential for appearance work. Areas of litigation activity may include local government, freedom of information, judicial review and other general matters. Key Accountabilities include: Providing legal advice and counsel on public law issues, including by drafting and reviewing advice, briefs and other documents. This may involve advice to DGS branches, the Secretary or Ministers. Undertake legal research and analysis on legal matters and summarise research with outstanding drafting skills. Develop effective relationships with other DGS groups as well as other departments, agencies and stakeholders. About you To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate: Ability to analyse legal issues, interpret legislation and draft clear and comprehensive legal advice. Experience providing legal advice in relation to public law matters such as constitutional law, administrative law, statutory interpretation, equal opportunity legislation, freedom of information or executive inquiries. Mandatory requirements You must be admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and eligible to hold a Victorian practising certificate. For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia. How to apply Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Wednesday, 03 July 2024. All applications should include: a resume; and a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages) In accordance with the Jobs and Skills Exchange Policy, Victorian Public Service employees are required to apply via the JSE for primary consideration access. Other relevant information The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends a
