Legal Counsel

About this role

About the department The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by: • Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions • Investing in science and technology • Strengthening the resources sector. The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people. If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future. Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS. About the team The Chief Counsel and Integrity Division (CCID) supports the Department of Industry, Science and Resources to achieve its objective of a productive economy lawfully and with integrity. Lawyers in CCID provide strategic, practical legal advice on high-profile, cutting-edge public policy issues including artificial intelligence, energy supply and security, science and manufacturing initiatives, space activities and technologies, and trade remedies. Our work is fast paced, intellectually engaging and collaborative. The team is made up of skilled, supportive legal professionals who are committed to providing high quality legal advice and a positive, inclusive culture. CCID’s legal services are delivered through two complementary branches, bringing together expertise in public law, dispute resolution, and corporate and information law. The Public Law and Dispute Resolution Branch provides strategic legal advice and dispute management services to support the department’s policy and regulatory functions. Its teams deliver expertise in litigation, claims and merits review, administrative and public law, and legislative processes. The branch also oversees tribunal and court representation, manages complaints and compensation schemes, and supports the department’s legislative agenda and compliance with whole of government requirements. The Corporate and Information Law Branch delivers legal and operational support across the department’s corporate functions and information law obligations. It provides advice on commercial and employment matters, contracting, intellectual property, and integrity frameworks. The branch also leads FOI and privacy functions, including decision making, compliance, and reporting, and supports the legal practice through finance, procurement, knowledge management, and system governance. The opportunity A Legal Counsel works to a Senior Legal Counsel to provide legal advice that is practical, timely and accurate; engages with clients to understand priorities and projects and works cooperatively to solve problems with elements of legal risk. We are seeking talented junior lawyers who are interested in working in: • Litigation and Dispute resolution , including instructing and appearing in Administrative Review Tribunal matters, instructing in Federal Court matters, and managing other disputes and claims in house. • Public law , including administrative law advice on decision-making, regulatory powers, delegations and authorisations, legislative compliance, legal policy advice on rights, powers and obligations, program design support, and oversight of outsourced constitutional and international law advice • Commercial law , including government contracting, procurement and complex commercial arrangements • Legislative development , including preparing drafting instructions and supporting legislation through the parliamentary process. • Administrative law including decision making, regulatory powers, delegations and authorisations. • Employment and workplace relations matters , public interest disclosure (PID) and integrity matters • Information law , privacy and freedom of information matters including in relation to privacy threshold and privacy impact assessments and privacy governance. Depending on your placement, you may work across the Public Law and Dispute Resolution branch or the Corporate and Information Law branch, supporting nationally significant policy and program work. We encourage applications from candidates with either broad capability across multiple areas or deep expertise in a specific practice area. Both will be assessed on merit, and there are multiple roles available. What’s in it for you? In this role you will gain legal experience and skills that are highly sought after by both public and private legal sectors. You will have the opportunity to: • work on complex legal issues shaping contemporary public policy • apply your expertise to nationally significant programs and initiatives • build capability across a broad range of legal contexts • work in a team of exceptional, passionate lawyers • access flexible and remote working arrangements • benefit from strong professional development opportunities and networks As a Legal Counsel (APS 5 or 6 equivalent), you will work on complex, sensitive and high-profile matters. You will hone your legal research, writing skills and conduct of litigation while learning from experienced legal practitioners. You will work on a broad range of routine to complex matters in collaboration with Senior Legal Counsel and Principal Legal Counsel. You will work with clients and colleagues in the Legal Branch to support the department’s management of legal risk. You will develop your reputation as a trusted advisor to government, known for being pragmatic, solutions-focused and collaborative. Our ideal candidate To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate: • Strong expertise in one or more of the following: • dispute resolution • commercial law • legislative development • public law • The ability to provide clear, concise and practical legal advice that balances legal requirements and legal risk • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgement • Experience managing complex matters with a high degree of autonomy • The ability to work in teams and to work collaboratively with other lawyers and policy colleagues • The ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with stakeholders • A collaborative approach and contribution to the leadership and direction of a legal practice • Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers (or a willingness to develop in this area) (APS6 roles) Does this sound like you but you don’t quite meet all the criteria? We recognise a career in the law looks different for different people. If you are an experienced legal professional who is excited by what we do and how we do it, we want to hear from you. As the Legal Counsel (APS Level 5 or APS Level 6), you will: • Provide practical, strategic legal advice on complex issues • Partner with client areas to identify and manage legal risk • Independently manage matters and project work • Support the delivery of high quality, consistent legal services • Supervise and develop junior lawyers • Engage external counsel where required • Contribute to a positive, inclusive and high performing team culture In addition to demonstrating suitability against the APS5 duties and requirements outlined above, candidates seeking consideration at the APS6 level should demonstrate that they meet the APSC Work Level Standards for the APS6. This may include evidence of managing more complex legal matters with limited supervision, exercising sound professional judgement, building effective stakeholder relationships, and contributing to team capability through leadership, mentoring or coordination of work.