Solicitor - Grade IV - Inquests, Inquiries and Representation

Solicitor

Inquests, Inquiries and Representation

• Location – Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Employment type – 12 Months Temporary full-time position (35 hours)
• Salary – Legal Officer - Grade IV, Base Salary ($134,483 – $137,071), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

Do you want to work that makes a real difference and change for the better? Come work with a dynamic, collaborative and friendly team in the Inquests, Inquiries and Representation (IIR) team of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).

The IIR team is responsible for the provision of assistance in coronial inquests and inquiries, representation of DCJ in inquiries generally, and representation of witnesses appearing before investigatory bodies such as the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. 

As a Solicitor, you will provide professional legal and litigation advice to support DCJ’s legal services. You will have the opportunity to work on varied legal matters and contribute to the development of policies and legal reforms.

We offer flexible work practices in a very supportive environment. Persons seeking to work in the IIR team need to be compassionate and empathetic and have a high level of personal resilience.

What you’ll do

The Solicitor Grade IV reports to the Principal Solicitor and is responsible for providing supervision and mentoring to a team comprised of a Grade I-III solicitor and paralegals to ensure delivery of quality professional legal services. The role involves a high-volume workload, balanced by interesting and varied legal work. 

You will also:

• Provide high level legal and/or litigation services and advice to clients, senior management and staff in accordance with legislation, policy, guidelines and practice standards.
• Supervise and provide guidance to staff to ensure delivery of quality professional legal services.
• Interpret, analyse and prepare more complex legal documents including legal records, correspondence, legislation, policies, reports, submissions, briefing notes, wills, trusts, deeds and contracts.
• Undertake more complex, contentious, or sensitive legal and administrative activities, research and cases allocated within established standards, procedures, policies and delegations.
• Provide high level advice and recommendations on the development and implementation of legal standards and practices, strategies, systems, procedures and processes for the area.

• Work collaboratively with legal staff internal and external to the Department and stakeholders to consult on proposed legislation, legislative changes and legislative interpretation and legal issues arising.
• Conduct litigation before Courts and/or Tribunals as the Department's representative, and respond to formal and informal requests for information, including court subpoenas and applications under relevant legislation.
• Deliver legal education and training programs to internal and external stakeholders and clients. Deliver legal education and training programs to internal and external stakeholders and clients on employment and safety issues.

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.
• Current and valid Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
• Where required hold a National Security Clearance at the appropriate level in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF)

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 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 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 a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close: Sunday, 01 December 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 Trinity Higgs at trinity.higgs@justice.nsw.gov.au

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 submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at lois.jebin@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.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/