Senior Lawyer and Principal Lawyer
About the opportunities
The Advisory and Drafting Branch is recruiting to fill current and expected vacancies in Senior and Principal Lawyer positions. It is also creating a merit pool for future ongoing and non‑ongoing vacancies at these classifications. These opportunities will enable dedicated and diligent individuals to perform a variety of challenging and rewarding work in a dynamic environment.
The branch is responsible for providing legal advice on regulatory and corporate matters, drafting legislative and other legal instruments, preparing drafting instructions to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and overseeing legal aspects of contract management.
The branch is also responsible for managing requests under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and matters arising under the Privacy Act 1988 and other Commonwealth legislation.
Under limited supervision, the Senior Lawyer will:
- deliver quality legal services that meet client expectations, compliance requirements and professional standards
- draft or settle effective, consistent and clear contracts and other business agreements
- advise on commercial law, contract law, information law and public law matters in ways that effectively manage legal risks
- establish and maintain professional relationships with other business areas
- assist in maintaining professional standards by participating in team meetings, sharing knowledge with team members and managing work according to priorities
- support other staff to achieve business goals and improve business practices
- promote workplace safety, equity and diversity, and act in accordance with CASA Values, and
- perform other duties as required and consistent with the officer’s experience, including in relation to aviation and intellectual property law.
Under limited or no supervision, the Principal Lawyer will discharge the above responsibilities as well as:
- manage or supervise other staff, principally the Senior Lawyer, and
- assist the branch manager in developing and implementing practice management improvements.
Our ideal candidates
Our ideal candidate for the Senior Lawyer role must demonstrate:
- substantial knowledge and experience (generally four years or more as a practising lawyer) in commercial and contract law, information law and public law
- familiarity with, or the ability to quickly become familiar with, aviation law, and
- ability to work under pressure with limited supervision.
In addition to the above, our ideal candidate for the Principal Lawyer role must demonstrate:
- highly developed knowledge and experience (generally eight years or more as a practising lawyer) in commercial law, information law, intellectual property and statutory/contract interpretation
- an ability to work autonomously, with only limited guidance or under broad direction
- an ability to mentor and guide other staff in their professional development
- superior knowledge and experience in advising on the broader issues surrounding contracts and an understand of the framework under which they are made
- leadership, and a capacity to assist the branch manager, in ensuring the efficient delivery of legal services, and
- an ability to contribute to the branch’s business success, including by developing strong relationships across the organisation and strategies to achieve organisation objectives.
In addition to the above, our ideal candidate for both positions must demonstrate:
- thorough knowledge of the Commonwealth legal environment, especially in a regulatory setting
- sound professional and business judgement
- well-developed communication and negotiation skills (both written and oral), including the ability to provide clear and succinct advice
- strong engagement skills including the ability to develop productive relationships with stakeholders (both internal and external) and to become an influential, trusted advisor
- a client‑focused, practical approach to advising on, and developing solutions for, legal issues, and
- innovative, strategic thinking, coupled with the ability to identify and treat risk.
Eligibility requirements
Employment with CASA is subject to conditions prescribed within the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The following eligibility requirements apply to this position:
- be an Australian citizen
- undergo pre-employment screening including a police check, and
- hold a Commonwealth Baseline security clearance or be able to obtain a clearance at this level.
- You must be entered on in the High Court of Australia’s Register of Practitioners or on a Supreme Court roll of barristers and solicitors.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people of the LGBTIQA+ community, including transgender, gender diverse, and intersex people.
Affirmative Measures
This vacancy is being advertised concurrently under a general and an affirmative measure recruitment process.
Affirmative measures is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people or people living with a disability, evidence will be requested if your application progresses under an affirmative measures process.
About us
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) primary function is to conduct the safety regulation of civil air operations in Australia, Australian civil airspace and the operation civil air operations in Australia, Australian civil airspace and the operation of Australian aircraft overseas.
CASA is committed to having a flexible and inclusive workplace and recognises and values the diversity of the wider Australian community.
We encourage and welcome applications from people with Disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.
Culture and benefits
We value our people. CASA values social and cultural diversity and is committed to a safe workplace. We are committed to the attraction, recruitment and retention of Indigenous Australians and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
CASA is committed to attaining and retaining the highest quality of skilled professionals and providing a desirable work environment in which they can maximise their talent and potential. We provide rewarding careers, promote work-life balance and support professional and personal development.
Contact Officer for enquiries: Mark Murphy
mark.murphy@casa.gov.au Ph: 02 6217 1377 Closing Date for
Applications: 11.59pm AEST, Wednesday 9 October 2024
For full details and information on the role please visit the Careers | Civil Aviation Safety Authority (casa.gov.au). Applications for all CASA vacancies must be submitted through the CASA e-Recruitment portal.