Solicitor LO IV - Civil Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Public Law

• Ongoing opportunity (Full-Time)
• Location: Parramatta with flexible working is available
• Legal Officer IV, base salary ($134,483 - $137,071), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

The Civil Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Public Law practice group within the Department’s Legal branch performs a broad range of work, including the following:   

• Managing civil claims against DCJ, including historic abuse claims involving Youth Justice and out-of-homecare and other civil claims involving Housing, Courts Services, Corrective Services NSW, disability and other personal injury claims
• Managing claims against Government figures and bodies including the Attorney General, the State of NSW, Court and Tribunals and the NSW Sheriff’s office
• Providing advice and liaise with internal and external stakeholders in relation to matters within the Attorney General’s portfolio, including constitutional matters, complex charitable trust matters and policy and law reform issues
• Managing proceedings brought under the Family Law (Child Abduction Convention) Regulations 1986
• Providing advice and liaising with internal stakeholders in relation to matters under the Hague Convention of Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Enforcement and Cooperation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children

What you’ll do 

• Provide high quality, cost effective and client focussed legal services which contribute to the achievement of DCJ’s strategic objectives.
• Undertake litigation work and instructing panel firms in relation to civil claims against DCJ where appropriate having regard to law and precedent.
• Represent DCJ in external meetings and forums including mediations and settlement conferences
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including panel firms and iCare

What we’re looking for 

• Extensive knowledge and experience in the relevant area/s of law.
• Legal Qualifications and eligibility to hold a practising certificate as a government legal practitioner issued by the NSW Law Society.
• 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.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account. 

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 maintaincapabilities
• 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 the Department of Communities and Justice (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: 

1. Describe a time when you were required to obtain the cooperation of a number of different people in order to achieve a goal. How did you go about doing this? What was the outcome? (300 words)
2.  Describe a time where you needed tailor your communication, or translate technical and complex information in a clear and concise manner, to suit an audience? (300 words) 

Applications close Wednesday, 5 June 2024. 

Got a question? 

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring managers Ingrid Keyzer on 0477 111 ***  or via **************@dcj.nsw.gov.au or Cameron Smith 0436 604 *** **************@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best, please call Paola Pina on 02 8688 0*** or via **********@dcj.nsw.gov.au

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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