HR/IR jobs

Lawyer/Senior Lawyer

Location: Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
Company: Fair Work Ombudsman
Website: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/careers/current-vacancies
Apps close: Thursday 21st March 2019

Do you want to work for one of the largest workplace relations legal practices in Australia and make a contribution to pursuing exploitation of vulnerable workers, securing funds for large underpayments or uncovering suspect corporate activities?

Who We Are
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s (FWO) role is to support compliant, productive and inclusive Australian workplaces.

What We Are Trying to Achieve
We aim to build a culture of compliance with workplace laws and work with our stakeholders to find solutions to workplace issues.

What We Do
We are a busy team of professionals responsible for conducting civil penalty litigation relating to Commonwealth workplace relations laws. We work with internal stakeholders to identify and progress high impact litigation matters particularly in areas such as vulnerable workers, exploitative work arrangements and supply chain accountability. We also contribute to a range of innovative continuous improvement projects within the Agency.

The Opportunity
We currently have an opportunity for a Lawyer and/or Senior Lawyer in the Legal Branch.

As a Lawyer (APS6) and/or as a Senior Lawyer (EL1) you will have the opportunity to:
- Undertake the day to day running of civil penalty litigation to deliver outcomes on time (for example, meeting court deadlines). This will include working fairly autonomously but within a team environment, demonstrating analytical ability, initiative, strong time management skills and sound judgment;
- Independently prepare or settle briefing material, submissions, correspondence, reports, legal documents and instruments;
- Develop strong working relationships with internal stakeholders;
- Contribute to test cases that shape the law and deter non-compliance;
- Share your experiences and contribute to developing capabilities of lawyers at a more junior level, including by mentoring more junior lawyers;
- Work with a broad cross-section of stakeholders across a range of sectors, including the legal profession, Courts and the wider public sector; and
- Be part of a responsive and dynamic Agency committed to innovation.

As a Senior Lawyer (EL1), you will also be expected to:
- Lead the overall management of civil penalty litigations;
- Lead, directly supervise and mentor more junior lawyers to both enhance their capabilities and to achieve outcomes;
- Be responsible for fostering strong and productive relationships with internal stakeholders, including through providing legal advice relating to the FWO’s functions, investigations, enforcement activities or on cross-agency initiatives;
- Contribute to the leadership of the Legal Branch and where appropriate, participate in cross-agency or intra-governmental initiatives.

Our Ideal Candidate
We are seeking exceptional leaders with a can-do attitude who are agile and adaptable and who are committed to achieving fairness in Australian workplaces.

Candidates at the Lawyer (APS6) level

You will be capable of providing practical legal advice on a range of complex issues in the area of workplace relations and civil litigation, or a regulatory environment, and a proven track-record of achieving results within short timeframes.

Litigation experience will be highly regarded (workplace relations and regulatory contexts are preferred, but litigators with other translatable experience will be considered).

You will have excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to effectively convey your opinion, position or counter-position on a matter. You will also be expected to help develop junior lawyers’ capabilities and ensure their ongoing skills development.

You will need to hold a degree in Law from an Australian university (or overseas equivalent qualification) and admission, or eligibility for admission, to the Supreme court in your State and the High Court of Australia.

APS6 candidates should have more than three years of post-qualification practice experience.

Candidates at the Senior Lawyer (EL1) level

Candidates at the Senior Lawyers (EL1) level will possess the above capabilities and have more than 5 years of post-admission relevant practice experience. There is a strong preference for experience in the area of workplace law/industrial relations and for candidates with a background in litigation because the role requires a Senior Lawyer to directly supervise lawyers in these areas. You will be a team player and will ideally have skills in leading, supervising and mentoring more junior lawyers.

What We Offer
- A challenging, diverse and inclusive workplace and attractive remuneration package including generous employer superannuation contributions.
- The ability to practise as a lawyer in an in-house legal practice within a regulatory environment.
- Exciting and fulfilling work at the heart of government with great training, career development and networking opportunities difficult to find elsewhere.
- The opportunity to work with strong, smart, visionary and experienced leaders who encourage and support you to develop your interests and expertise and achieve your ambitions.

How to Apply
If you are excited about this opportunity please describe and provide practical examples, in no more than 1000 words, how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of this role and make you the best candidate for this opportunity.

To start your application go to Fair Work Ombudsman’s online recruitment system https://www.fairwork.gov.au/careers/current-vacancies.

Applications close 5.00pm (AEDT) Thursday 21 March 2019.

Who to Contact
If you experience any difficulties accessing or submitting your online application, or you would like more information about this job, please contact the FWO Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@fwo.gov.au.