EMPLOYMENT

Jurisdiction: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Section: National Operations Registry Classification: Executive Level 1 Job Type: Ongoing/Non-ongoing, Full-time Location: The preferred location for this role is Sydney, NSW. However, applicants from other locations will be considered and alternative locations may be negotiated subject to operational requirements. Salary: $120,390 to $145,107 per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation (salary may be negotiated) Position Overview The Senior Lawyer works with the Director of Legal and Integrity at the FCFCOA (Legal Office) together with another Senior Lawyer. The Legal Office provides timely and strategic legal advice and assistance to the Chief Justice and Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar (CEO/PR) on diverse and complex issues related to the management and operations of the FCFCOA, its officers and staff - the focus is on workplace law and WHS issues and complaints/investigations, however, the Legal Office also deals with complex constitutional law issues and a diversity of other issues. The CEO/PR is responsible for around 680 staff in the FCFCOA and therefore the role will support the CEO/PR in relation to matters flowing from any legal issues arising in the operations of the CEO/PR's office, including relating to the management of staff. The Chief Justice has responsibility for the business and administration of the Courts, assisted by the CEO/PR, and therefore the Legal Office also supports the Chief Justice more broadly in relation to these responsibilities. The Legal Office focuses on Workplace & WHS Law issues, covering the full spectrum of work including employment law, industrial relations, discrimination, work health and safety - however, it also includes complaints handling and investigations, constitutional law issues litigation management and training. The Legal Office also works across a broad spectrum of Court specific issues including key advisory services supporting the Chief Justice and the CEO/PR in the exercise of their statutory duties and their day-to-day management of the two Courts, which together comprise 126 judges; hundreds of legal, social science and related support staff; Indigenous Family Liaison Officers, registries, and circuits across 43 locations; and responsibility for over 100,000 filings per year across family law, general federal law and migration. The Legal Office provides high level legal, strategic and management advice and support to the Executive Management of the Courts. The role will support the CEO/PR and the Deputy Principal Registrar in relation to the handling of complaints received by the Courts about any Registrars and staff of the FCFCOA. The key duties of the position include Provide timely and comprehensive advice on issues related to the work of the Courts, including workplace relations matters; Provide legal, strategic and management advice to the Executive Management of the Courts; Provide high level and practical advice in relation to policies and protocols of the Courts across all areas of responsibility, with a particular focus on workplace health and safety; Deliver timely expert, authoritative and strategic legal advice and counsel to the Executive Management of the Courts on critical issues that impact the Courts, providing appropriate legal solutions and strategically astute advice for the achievement of strategic objectives; Assist the CEO/PR and the Deputy Principal Registrar in relation to complaints against Registrars and staff, and the Chief Justice in the handling of judicial complaints, including in the handling of sensitive material and information; Manage the processes for the Court effectively and efficiently complying with statutory and administrative guidelines relating to workplace relations; Provide early intervention strategies to the Executive Management of the Courts in potentially complex and litigious matters promoting positive dispute resolution strategies; Work with the Federal Court of Australia Agency's People and Culture Section to draw upon the service delivery of that section for human resources functions; and Pro-actively identifying legal and regulatory issues and developments affecting the Courts in order to develop strategies and solutions.