Would you like to work in a dynamic and diverse legal practice that will offer you rewarding, challenging and varied work in support of improving the wellbeing of individuals and families in Australian communities?

The Legal Services Group is responsible for providing high-quality legal advice to portfolio Ministers, the department Secretary and other teams within the department. Legal Services Group is also responsible for the engagement of external legal service providers and liaising with other departments and agencies on legal matters.

The Group provides legal advice on all programs administered by the department, including social security, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the National Rental Affordability Scheme, gambling, family assistance, child support and the National Redress Scheme for Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.

The Legal Services Branch provides legal advice and services relating to Royal Commissions, as well as commissions of inquiry. In addition, the branch provides legal services relating to a range of corporate law matters including privacy, corporate and employment. The legal work we do supports the department in improving the well-being of individuals and families across Australia.

What we offer:

• a challenging, diverse and inclusive workplace and attractive remuneration package including generous employer superannuation contributions
• exciting and fulfilling work that will broaden your skills and knowledge, require you to look at innovative solutions to complex legal issues and provide you with new experiences and expertise
• pathways for career advancement and promotion as well as leadership training and opportunities
• the opportunity to work in a collegiate environment alongside legal professionals who will encourage and support you to develop your interests and expertise and achieve your ambitions.

The key duties of the position include:

We are looking for professional, motivated and experienced self-starters to join our high performing and diverse legal practice. We have vacancies in our Commercial/Corporate team for individuals who are interested in challenging and absorbing work that supports the department to design, deliver and administer payments, programs, policies and services to the Australian community.

As a Senior Lawyer, you will need to work collaboratively with staff across the department on the delivery of key priorities, while working with Principal Lawyers to manage junior lawyers.

Your responsibilities as a Senior Lawyer will include:

• providing strategic, practical and technically sound legal advice
• ensuring that legal advice given by the Legal Services Branch reflects a sound understanding of the department’s operations and strategic environment
• managing and supervising the work of more junior lawyers to help build a high performing team
• exercising sound judgement on legal and commercial issues
• drafting high-quality documents (including briefs, instruments, explanatory statements, agreements and correspondence)
• identifying and helping to manage risk for the department (both legal and non-legal)
• building productive and enduring relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• selecting, briefing and managing external legal services providers
• working collaboratively with other enabling services functions in the department
• helping to ensure the department complies with the Legal Services Directions 2017
• undertaking other duties relating to the work of the Legal Services Group, as directed.

Our Senior Lawyers have the following attributes:

• enthusiasm to be a part of the legal team delivering advice that helps make Australia’s social welfare system and related programs and services function and achieve their intended goals
• willingness to accept responsibility and accountability
• professional integrity and credibility
• excellent written and oral communication skills (including negotiation and influencing skills)
• the ability to think creatively and operate effectively in a dynamic team environment
• a strong results orientation
• the ability to plan and manage complex legal projects
• resilience and a positive approach to the resolution of issues
• a proactive approach to professional development, including the development of junior lawyers
• astute judgment
• the highest ethical standards.

Experience advising on commercial matters, privacy and data governance, and employment law in an Australian Government context, the Public Interest Disclosure Scheme and Freedom of Information issues would be an advantage.

Eligibility

A Bachelor’s degree in law (or equivalent) is essential. You will need to currently hold, or be eligible to hold, a restricted practising certificate in the ACT.

Ideally, you will have a minimum of 3 years of relevant post-admission experience or otherwise, be able to demonstrate relevant pre-admission experience.

To be eligible for employment with the Department of Social Services (the department), you must be an Australian citizen. An applicant’s suitability for employment with the Department will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This will include identity and criminal history background check.

Eligibility to obtain an Australian Government Security Clearance:

The suitable applicant must also obtain and maintain a security clearance conducted by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).

Applicants also must be able to establish their background as checkable to be considered eligible for a security clearance. Any gaps or periods of time spent overseas for 12 or more months (cumulative) that cannot be verified by an Australian referee is deemed uncheckable, rendering the applicant ineligible for a security clearance.

Background history must cover 5 / 10 years (Baseline / Negative Vet 1 or Negative Vet 2) of employment, education, residential, criminal history and anything else specified by the AGSVA. The suitable applicant must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information to fulfil this process.

Notes

The department is receiving a 2% pay increase from 21 July 2021 in line with the Department of Social Services Enterprise Agreement 2018 to 2021.

This recruitment process is being used to fill current and future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies. A merit pool of suitable applicants will be created which may be used to fill future vacancies should they become available over the next 12 months.

Non-ongoing vacancies will be offered for a period of up to 18 months with the possibility of extension (up to a total period of 3 years). Some of these non-ongoing vacancies may become ongoing in the next 12 months.

Should a position become ongoing then the merit pool established through this selection process may be used to fill the vacancy on an ongoing basis.

For more information, contact Paula Stratton at paula.stratton@dss.gov.au or call at 02 6146 1562.

The deadline for submission of applications is 29/07/2021.

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.