Research Associate

Position Overview
The position is a key legal support role within the reformed structure of the Court. The Research Associate role focuses on providing legal support to judges, as required due to overall workload volume or in relation to specific matters. This legal support can be in relation to any of the Court’s national practice areas. Research Associates may at any given time be supporting one or more Judge, and across a variety of the Court’s registries.

Major Activities

• Provide assistance to various judges (nationally) with tasks including judgment proofing, undertaking research, assisting in court and any other work that an Associate would ordinarily assist with.
• Support a judge and their chambers by assisting with significant and complex matters requiring greater than usual assistance, including in-court assistance.
• Act as an associate in a judge’s chambers when an associate is in on planned or unexpected leave, or where an existing associate is conflicted.
• Act as an associate in a new judge’s chambers prior to staff being appointed, including travelling to and working from another registry if required.
• Be adaptable and flexible, with the ability to work with different judges and chambers staff. 
• Have excellent time management skills and be able to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Be prepared to travel interstate and work from the Court’s different registries.
• Be willing to commit to the position for a period of 18 months.

Competencies & Attributes
Working to support busy Judges of the Court and as part of small Chambers teams, the successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and initiative, taking personal responsibility for progressing work to ensure objectives are met.  The successful applicant should be adaptable to changing demands and have an ability to maintain confidentiality. Applicants with post-admission experience or relevant Court experience will be highly regarded.

Formal Qualifications
Legal qualification and admission to practice as a practitioner of the High Court and/or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory of Australia; or progressing towards admission, to the satisfaction of the Court. 

Selection Criteria

1. Legal qualification and admitted to practice or progressing towards admission as a practitioner of the High Court and/or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory of Australia, to the satisfaction of the Court. 
2. Demonstrated knowledge of the Federal Court’s jurisdiction, practices and procedures, or the ability to acquire such knowledge quickly and the ability to interpret and apply legal principles, rules and regulations.
3. The ability to carry out legal research, managing workloads appropriately to ensure that requests for legal research are responded to in an accurate and timely manner.
4. Initiative to work autonomously and take responsibility for progressing work while also being able to work collaboratively, build and maintain positive professional relationships and deal appropriately with sensitive and confidential information.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including attention to detail and accuracy. 
6. Demonstrated proficiency with technology, including the use of electronic legal resources and the ability to learn and use the Court’s case management systems and court room technology.
7. The ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
8. A high standard of ethical behaviour.

Eligibility
To be eligible for employment with the Federal Court of Australia, you must be an Australian Citizen and will be required to provide proof of citizenship if you are the successful applicant.

Applicants offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a police record check and must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.