About the union and the role

• Position: Senior Lawyer / National Legal Counsel (Permanent & Full Time) 
• Location: Sydney (Preferred)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified and experienced individual to work as a Senior Lawyer / National Legal Counsel, as part of a team in the ETU’s National Office.

The Electrical Trades Union is a growing union representing around 65,000 electrical workers and other skilled workers across a wide range of industries. The Union has a proud history of defending workers’ rights, including by pursuing high-profile litigation. The ETU’s national legal team is responsible for both national and branch matters, with the work including litigation of individual member disputes through national industrial campaigns. 

The ETU offers generous salary and employment conditions (including 13 RDOs, 5 weeks annual leave, 17.8% superannuation and others).

The National Office is in Rosebery. Interstate travel will occasionally be required. 

The starting date is as soon as practicable.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The responsibilities of the Senior Lawyer include:

• management of the legal team, comprising three other solicitors;
• providing high-level strategic advice to the National Secretary;
• advocacy before the Fair Work Commission (including PABOs, MSDs, disputes, scope orders, unfair dismissals, bargaining orders, Award reviews etc);
• advocacy and/or instructing Counsel in the Federal Circuit Court and Federal Court of Australia (including breaches of the Fair Work Act);
• providing legal advice and assistance to the ETU’s leadership, state branches, and members;
• identifying and pursuing strategic litigation which interlinks with the Union’s broader strategic objectives;
• developing and delivering educational and training materials for organisers and members; and
• drafting submissions regarding policy and law reform. 

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA 

The successful candidate will:

• be a legal practitioner holding, or eligible to hold, a practising certificate;
• have a demonstrated commitment to trade unionism and/or social justice;
• have at least 5 years’ experience as a lawyer or industrial officer in a union (or equivalent employment/industrial law experience);
• have experience in managing a team;
• have a good understanding of the Fair Work Act, discrimination legislation, health and safety legislation and the modern award system;
• be comfortable appearing in the Fair Work Commission;
• be comfortable briefing and instructing Counsel;
• have a good work ethic and be highly motivated;
• pay attention to detail;
• have excellent communication and time management skills, including experience successfully managing competing deadlines;
• be able to work independently and as part of a small team; and
• have the right to work in Australia. 

DESIRABLE CRITERIA 

It will be desirable for the successful candidate to also have experience:

• appearing in the Federal Circuit Court and Federal Court of Australia;
• interlinking litigation with broader strategic objectives; and
• in the electrical power industry or trades occupations. 

If you are keen to be part of a growing union, please submit your CV and a cover letter addressing the above criteria as soon as practicable.

Please note that due to the expected volume of responses, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.