Principal Lawyer

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Principal Lawyer

Division: Strategy, Regulation and Legal

Position No: 011767

Salary: Specified Calling Level 5, $171,519 - $185,781 pa pro rata + Super - PSCSAA 2024

Work Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Perth Metropolitan Area

Closing Date: 2026-07-06 4:00 PM (YYYY-MM-DD)

Join a team that thrives in what we do!

Step into a Litigation and Dispute Resolution role with the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of others

The Department of Communities brings together the services and functions of disability services, child protection and family support, community initiatives and regional services reform.

Communities is a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program. The program defines best practice standards by creating a carer friendly workplace, enabling staff to balance work and care, while continuing to contribute to the wellbeing of individuals, families and the community.

The Opportunity

As a Principal Lawyer you will be working within the Department’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution (LDR) legal team. The LDR team manages various types of complex and rewarding litigation work including:

Protection and Care Litigation where the CEO determines that action should be taken under the Children and Community Services Act 2004 to safeguard or promote a child’s wellbeing.

Secure Care Appeals

Dandjoo-Bidi-Ak

Family Court

Gender Dysphoria

VRO

SAT Reviews

Prosecutions for breaches of the

Working With Children (Criminal Record Checking Act 2004

Education and Care Services National Law (WA) Act 2012

Children and Community Services Act 2004 – mandatory reporting provisions

National Disability Insurance Scheme (Worker Screening) Act 2020 (NDIS)

Guardianship and Administration Proceedings.

These roles operate with relative autonomy, initiative and judgement to manage routine to moderately complex cases and assist Principal Lawyers with more complex cases, research and support.

The extent and nature of the legal work allocated will vary according to expertise.

To be considered for a position, you will have litigation and advocacy skill set, you will be client focussed, solution oriented, and self-aware. You will have excellent technical legal skills relevant to litigation and dispute resolution (or a strong desire to undertake litigation work) and a track record of exercising sound and ethical judgment in the delivery of legal services.

You will also share knowledge and experience with less experienced lawyers to further build capability across the Department.

The attached Job Description Form (JDF) provides more information about the position. For further information we encourage you to contact Neela Gubbi, General Counsel, Litigation and Dispute Resolution on (08) 6277 3598 or via email ***email_hidden***.

There is currently one [1] permanent position available for immediate filling.

The successful applicant or applicants assessed as suitable through this process may receive further offers of contract employment and/or offers of permanent employment in this or similar roles.

Qualification Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must have a completed university degree in:

Bachelor of Laws Degree AND admission as a practitioner, however described, of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

All overseas qualifications must be assessed for Australian equivalency. Refer to our website for information about the qualification requirements for this role, and how we will be assessing your qualifications.

Join the Department of Communities

Apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above and below) and provide the following documents in Word or PDF format only:

A current resume/CV.

A two - three[ 2-3] page written application addressing all the Essential Work Related Requirements (Selection Criteria) as stated on the JDF.

A copy of all qualification/s (regardless of the relevance to the role) as specified in your application or resume/CV (if applicable).

An application form (for hard copy applications only).

For technical difficulties while applying online, general recruitment enquiries, or to request any document in an alternative format, please contact Kate Cottingham, HR Advisor, on 0435 047 287 or via email [email protected].

TTY/voice calls - 133 677

Speak & Listen - 1300 555 727

SMS relay - 0423 677 767

Integrity and Honesty

The public sector is built on a strong foundation of integrity where employees act ethically, and public sector bodies promote and maintain integrity.

In line with Communities policies, applicants may be asked for consent to undergo criminal record screening and integrity checks during the application process. For more information on these requirements, click here.

Equity and Diversity

Communities welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disability, people with diverse sexualities and genders, youth, women, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Please let us know if there are adjustments we can make to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, as well as in the workplace. Please contact Kate Cottingham, HR Advisor at [email protected] and via phone 0435 047 287.

If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Lodgement is system generated. Any emailed applications or late submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted.

Attachments

• Application Form
• JDF - Principal Lawyer - SCL5