General Counsel, Environment and Dispute Resolution Branch

Job Description

General Counsel, Environment and Dispute Resolution Branch We are the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. We are driving climate action; transforming our energy system; establishing Australia as a renewable energy superpower; conserving, protecting and sustainably managing our environment and water resources through a nature positive approach; and protecting and conserving our natural and cultural heritage. Our vision is an Australia that is prosperous because it is sustainable, with community and Country at the heart of our actions. The three branches of the Legal Division are responsible for all legal services and advice required by the department. The Legal Division supports portfolio Ministers, the Secretary and the Senior Executive Service to manage legal risk. The Legal Division coordinates all external legal services and the provision of internal legal advice including: legal advice on a broad range of issues including statutory interpretation and administrative law, regulatory actions and investigations, contract drafting and contractual issues, funding programs, legislation development, correspondence to the Secretary and the Minister involving legal issues or legislative change, and legal risk and mitigation strategies legal advice on employment law and WHS matters resources and training for the department on legal issues coordination of freedom of information requests, legislation bids and processes, privacy advice and Ombudsman correspondence and complaints managing the department’s litigation across a broad range of matters The Legal Division operates in a fast paced, exciting environment. We facilitate excellent legal outcomes for our clients and focus on supporting and developing our staff so that they are in the best position to take on the challenges of the work. The job DCCEEW is seeking a dynamic and culture-focused General Counsel to manage the Environment and Dispute Resolution (EDR) Branch, which comprises four large legal teams. The General Counsel will report to, and support, the Chief Counsel, and will contribute to the broader strategic leadership of the Legal Division and DCCEEW while managing a busy legal practice. The EDR Branch: manages all litigation for the department and the Ministers including administrative law litigation, compliance and enforcement matters, commercial disputes, employment, anti-discrimination and WHS matters and civil litigation (such as negligence claims) in a range of Courts and Tribunals provides administrative law and regulatory advice in relation to a broad range of environmental issues, including environment approvals, biodiversity conservation, wildlife trade, heritage and environment protection matters provides legal advice on employee entitlements, human resource policies and WHS matters and responds to any disputes advises across the department’s compliance and enforcement functions and powers, including on civil penalty and criminal matters, as well as on notices, warrants, infringement notices and other compliance issues The General Counsel, EDR Branch is responsible for: supporting portfolio Ministers, the Secretary and the Senior Executive Service to manage legal risk providing quality legal advice in a complex and sensitive environment and articulating complex concepts and putting forward compelling arguments and rationales building strong relationships in a large, complex and fast-paced environment contributing at a strategic level to the leadership of the Division and managing its people drafting, reviewing and amending complex legal documents to minimise legal risk and achieve DCCEEW’s objectives. What we are looking for To be successful for this role you will need to meet the Senior Executive Service (SES) work level standards as determined by the Australian Public Service Commission including for the SES band 1 level, and you will: have an outstanding track record in interpreting legislation, strategically assessing legal risk and providing quality legal advice in a complex and sensitive environment have experience managing complex litigation ideally have experience advising on regulatory matters, and/or on employment law matters, although these are not essential be adept at building relationships in a large, complex and fast-paced environment, including engendering trust and respect demonstrate a strong focus on client service and achieving results be innovative and resilient in managing difficult issues possess outstanding leadership skills and the capacity to contribute at a strategic level Mandatory qualifications To be eligible for this position you are required to hold a degree in law, be admitted as a legal practitioner in an Australian court and be eligible to hold an unrestricted legal practising certificate. Our expectation is that the successful applicant would have at least 10 years of experience as a practising lawyer. Eligibility and other requirements Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen. Security Clearance - This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level. Pre-employment Check - Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months. #J-18808-Ljbffr