Register of Interest - Lawyer / Senior Lawyer - Employment and Dispute Resolution Team

Closing Date:  22/10/2024
Location: 

Canberra, ACT, AU

Band:  Broadband 3-8 (Legal) ($69,224.00 - $132,391.00)
Command/Portfolio:  CLC - CHIEF COUNSEL

Register of Interest Details

 

JOB TITLE - Register of Interest - Lawyer / Senior Lawyer - Employment and Dispute Resolution Team

LOCATION - ACT

EMPLOYMENT  TYPE: Ongoing & Non-ongoing for a period of up to 24 months

AFP BAND - Bands 5-8 within the AFP Legal Broadband 3 – 8,

Lawyer – Band 5 – 6 ($95,010 - $113,563)
Senior Lawyer – Band 7 – 8 ($113,563 - $132,391)

VACANCY REFERENCE NUMBER - 13604

CONTACT OFFICER - Patrick Myrtle, 02 5126 7801 & Helen Phelps 02 5126 0117 Helen.Phelps@afp.gov.au

APPLICATIONS CLOSE - 11:59pm (AEDT) 22/10/2024

 

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia.
We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

  • Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
  • 4 extra mandatory leave rest days per year 
  • 18 days of paid personal leave per year
  • Generous superannuation of 15.4%
  • 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
  • Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement 
  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
  • Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention. 
  • Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities
     

Role Summary


The AFP Legal Corporate team is responsible for the provision of legal advice and litigation services that directly support the operational law enforcement activities of the AFP. AFP Legal provides high quality, cost effective in-house professional legal services in administrative, operational, commercial and employment law to the AFP.


Applications are sought from suitably qualified, professional, enthusiastic and committed lawyers wishing to be considered for the role of Lawyer (Band 5 – 6) or Senior Lawyer (Band 7 – 8) - AFP Legal Corporate – Employment and Dispute Resolution Team, which provides advice and assistance on employment law issues, and supports the AFP in its civil dispute resolution process. While lawyers work across both practice areas, the AFP welcomes interest from specialist lawyers with experience in either employment or civil disputes.
 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant legal practice that has a diverse and interesting range of work and internal clients and is committed to the development of its lawyers, and the maintenance of a supportive and flexible working environment.

 

What will you do?


The employment work of the teams includes providing employment law and industrial advice in relation to the AFP’s 6000-strong workforce. You will provide advice on all aspects of employment law including: conditions of employment, bargaining, professional standards, work health and safety, discrimination, recruitment, and termination of employment.
 

Lawyers also manage employment-related litigation including unfair dismissal matters, general protections matters and workplace disputes. Lawyers in the Employment and Dispute Resolution team may also appear before the Fair Work Commission and other Tribunals as required.
 

The dispute resolution work of the team includes the management and conduct of an exciting and diverse range of large scale and complex litigation. You will have the opportunity to manage civil litigation claims across State and Federal jurisdictions, including litigation arising from the exercise of police powers, as well as public and administrative law litigation and coronial inquests. Experience in coronial inquests and advising on the handling and disclosure of sensitive information is also welcomed. Ideally you will also have sound knowledge of court practice and processes and be confident in using your proven analytical and drafting skills.

Senior Lawyers (Band 7-8)


Senior Lawyers should have 5 or more years’ post admission experience. Senior Lawyers have responsibility for managing a high volume of varied work. The role requires advanced legal technical knowledge and expertise, including the ability to provide timely, high level accurate legal advice with minimal supervision. 

Senior Lawyers in the Employment and Dispute Resolution Team:

  • prepare complex and routine legal advice for internal clients on all aspects of employment law, industrial relations and litigation; 
  • provide guidance and mentor more junior lawyers; 
  • manage civil litigation claims, including claims arising from the exercise of police powers, as well as administrative and public law matters; 
  • manage the AFP’s representation at coronial inquests; 
  • manage employment-related litigation, including unfair dismissal matters, general protections matters and industrial disputes; and 
  • appear before the Fair Work Commission and other Tribunals. 


A Senior Lawyer is required to:

  • have advanced legal technical knowledge;
  • deliver high-quality, pragmatic legal advice and products;
  • deal with more complex and challenging matters with minimal supervision;
  • represent the AFP in high level discussions and negotiations with external stakeholders;
  • demonstrate leadership and integrity in their interactions with team members and internal clients;
  • provide an appropriate level of guidance and mentoring to junior lawyers; 
  • actively contribute to: 
    • legislative, governance and policy development; and
    •     shaping strategic thinking and harnessing information and opportunities for the broader benefit of the AFP.
  • maintain currency of legal knowledge and skills through ongoing professional development and learning opportunities outside the formal education process.

Lawyer (Band 5-6)

Lawyers at the Band 5 – 6 level should have a minimum 3 – 5 years’ relevant legal experience. The role requires the provision of timely, well-written and accurate legal advice and support to internal AFP clients in support of the AFP’s activities, and compliance with its governance requirements. 

Lawyers in the Employment and Dispute Resolution Team:

  • prepare routine and more complex legal advice for internal clients on all aspects of employment law, industrial relations and litigation, under the guidance of a Senior Lawyer where appropriate; 
  • manage routine and more complex civil litigation claims, under guidance where appropriate; 
  • manage the AFP’s representation at coronial inquests, with guidance by Senior Lawyers; 
  • manage employment-related litigation, including unfair dismissal matters, general protections matters and industrial disputes, with guidance; and
  • appear before the Fair Work Commission and other Tribunals in relation to routine matters. 


A Lawyer in AFP Legal is expected to:

  • deliver high-quality, pragmatic legal advice and products; 
  • take initiative and work with a significant degree of autonomy, but seek guidance and input as appropriate;
  • liaise with AFP clients and take instructions;
  • deal with more challenging matters under supervision of a Senior Lawyer; 
  • assist and support Senior Lawyers including in relation to: 
    •    high level discussions and negotiations with external stakeholders; and 
    •    legislative, governance and policy development.
  • contribute to AFP Legal strategic and corporate projects; and
  • maintain currency in legal knowledge and skills through ongoing professional development and learning opportunities outside the formal education process.

Essential Requirements (applies to both roles)

 

  • Be an Australian Citizen.
  • Hold a current practising certificate or be eligible to apply for one.
  • Demonstrated experience in employment and dispute resolution law matters.
  • Have a Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.

Desirable Requirements

 

  • For Band 5 – 6 – have a minimum of 3 – 5 years post admission experience or be able to demonstrate contemporary relevant legal knowledge and experience
  • For Band 7 – 8 – have 5+ years post admission experience
  • Experience in prosecutions or other relevant regulatory agencies (State or Commonwealth).
  • Experience in Commonwealth criminal law, litigation, subpoenas, Federal law court processes and/or witness protection.
  • Experience in information protection and statutory interpretation.
  • Experience working in a national security environment.

Selection Criteria

Band 5

  • Organising your work, making sound decisions and achieving outcomes
  • Communicating and working effectively with other people
  • Applying technical knowledge, expertise and skills


Band 6 – 8

  • Achieve results
  • Communicates with influence
  • Contributes to strategic thinking
  • Cultivates productive working relationships
  • Shows personal drive and integrity

Required Application Documentation

 

As part of your Register of Interest you will be required to submit the following documents:

 

  • Applicant response (pitch – maximum two pages)
  • Resume/CV


Further Information

  • Positions may be filled at the AFP Band 5 – 8 levels, within the AFP Legal Officer Broadband (Band 3 – 8), depending upon the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
  • Note: Current AFP Lawyers are not eligible to apply for a promotion or advancement through this process.

Employment Suitablity

 

Should you successfully progress from the Register of Interest all applicants must:

 

  • Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship.  This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
  • Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
  • Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
  • Proof of a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccinations (or one dose if the Janssen vaccine was used) will be required if an offer of employment is made. 
  • Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.