HR/IR jobs

Legal Officer

Legal Officer: The Australian Workers’ Union

Our Organisation:
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) is the nation’s oldest and most influential trade union, representing 70,000 working Australians. We are also Australia's most diverse union, representing workers across industries including manufacturing, steel, aluminium, glass, oil and gas, aviation, agriculture, construction, state public services, local government, health, food, resources, events and aquaculture.

Getting the best outcome for our members is at the heart of what we do.

We are currently looking for a permanent Legal Officer or Industrial Officer to join our New South Wales Branch legal team.

The Branch legal team protects the interests of the AWU and its members through advocacy in the Fair Work Commission, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, the Chief Industrial Magistrate’s Court and the Federal Circuit Court. We dispute unfair dismissals and other unjust employer conduct, recover underpayments for workers, review collective agreements for compliance with minimum standards, and contest approvals of non-compliant collective agreements in our industries. We provide advice to AWU officials, delegates and members and contribute to the AWU’s responses to Parliamentary and government inquiries into industrial issues.

Your Remuneration and Conditions:
The Branch legal team is located at the AWU’s office in Granville NSW, the headquarters of both our New South Wales Branch and National Office. While the position will be based in Granville, the role will require travel to both the CBD and Parramatta to attend tribunals and may involve occasional work out of our satellite office in the CBD.
• Offered on either a full-time basis or on a part-time (4 days/week) basis
• A competitive salary will be offered, based on skills and experience
• 10% superannuation
• Other generous conditions as part of the New South Wales Branch’s collective conditions of employment, including paid days off and paid Christmas shutdown
• Successful candidates will be subject to a 6-month probationary period

Key Role Responsibilities:
The Legal Officer or Industrial Officer is responsible for providing effective legal and industrial advice and representation to the Branch, as follows:
• Advocacy before the Fair Work Commission, New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission and Chief Industrial Magistrate’s Court
• Providing advice and support to the Branch around a range of industrial and legal matters including, disciplinary matters; dispute resolution; discrimination; harassment; bullying; redundancy; unfair dismissal; and adverse action
• Drafting enterprise agreements and assisting with enterprise bargaining
• Development of educational materials and delivery of training for members and Union Officials

Selection Criteria (Essential):
1. Demonstrated commitment to union values.
2. Qualifications in law, industrial relations, arts, economics or social sciences.
3. Paid or volunteer experience at a trade union or another similar organisation (such as a law firm or community legal centre).
4. Comfortable and adept at working in a team environment.
5. Ability to work autonomously and to demonstrate initiative.
6. Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
7. Strong advocacy skills and the ability to represent the AWU in hearings and conferences.

Selection Criteria (Desirable):
1. Familiarity with key AWU industries (see list above); and
2. Admission as a solicitor and/or prior experience in a union legal/industrial team.

How to Apply:
Applicants should provide their CV and a cover letter responding to the selection criteria above and send their application addressed to Mark Fagan, Chief of Staff via mark.fagan@nat.awu.net.au Any queries regarding the position should also be directed to the above email address.

Applications Close: 5:00pm Tuesday, 4 August 2020