Senior Legal Officer

Who we are The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's legal work is unique. You will have the opportunity to provide legal advice and services while working closely with policymakers and operational staff on matters that directly affect all Australians across areas as diverse as biosecurity, agricultural production, trade, food, wine, fisheries and forestry. A job with Legal Division is a chance to meaningfully apply your legal skills to practical outcomes in an environment focused on your learning and development as a lawyer. The Legal Division's large and diverse practice means that lawyers will be able to gain experience in their specific interests across a wide range of areas of law, including :

Advising on regulatory systems and operations to assist staff on the front lines with Australia's quarantine, trade, food safety and exports across diverse supply chains, at airports and in the community.Providing practical legal advice to assist investigation and enforcement of biosecurity and export laws to ensure Australia's trade and health are safeguarded, including by civil penalty litigation.Directly developing and progressing legislation, working closely with policymakers to put effective laws in place.Managing the department's litigation caseload and dispute resolution, including working with external law firms and counsel to provide strategic advice, to support the department's policy and operational activities.Providing employment law advice, including on investigations, work health and safety and external review proceedings.Advising on the department's extensive range of commercial matters, including advising on procurements and grants, ICT contracting, the Commonwealth resource management framework, intellectual property and property matters.Managing the department's legal issues arising from data management and information collection and management, including privacy advice and freedom of information requests. Developing and delivering legal training to staff in policy and operational decision-making roles.The Legal Division works together to support and develop lawyers to meet their career aspirations. You will be working with committed, engaged colleagues in a supportive and flexible environment, and will progress interesting and meaningful work that is unique to the department and the Commonwealth.

The Job We have ongoing and non-ongoing opportunities for Senior Legal Officers who enjoy an energetic, purposeful and collaborative legal environment.

As a Senior Legal Officer, you will provide high quality legal services in an in-house environment, including legal research, analysis and problem solving. Our highly engaged internal clients are comprised of regulatory scientists and administrative, policy and compliance officers who are passionate about safeguarding and growing sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry for Australians.

You will also be responsible, with your Principal Legal Officer, for motivating, mentoring and, supervising legal officers in your team to deliver on initiatives and goals whilst maintaining an inclusive, responsive and effective environment.

Please note the merit pool established through this selection process will be valid for a period of 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Gazette and may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the division, where the duties are of a similar nature.

What we are looking for Knowledge and experience The successful applicants will ideally have a minimum of between 3 to 6 years of relevant postadmission experience and experience in one or more of the legal areas listed above.

Skills and capabilities The successful applicants will be able to demonstrate the following :

Able to identify key legal issues and give accurate, practical legal advice clearly, concisely and in a way that meets client needs.Excellent communication skills and the ability to foster and build effective relationships as an in-house adviser in a collaborative environment.Capacity to deal appropriately with sensitive matters that may affect the department, the Public Service and / or the broader community.Capability to help lead and develop lawyers, and to manage legal services efficiently and effectively.Mandatory Qualifications To be eligible for these positions you are required to hold a degree in law and be eligible to hold an ACT, VIC, QLD or NSW legal practising certificate.

For further details and to apply, click here Closing date : 13 July 2025

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