The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an independent statutory office established to protect the rights and interests of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, and children and young people in the child protection system and other visitable sites. Join us as we protect, support, advocate, educate and empower, to build a Queensland where our most vulnerable community members can live with dignity. Please visit the OPG website to learn more.

• Fixed-term temporary, flexible full-time
• PO5 Classification
• CBD location, close to public transport

about the role

The Corporate Senior Legal Officer reports to the Principal Legal Officer, Corporate and Legal Practice Team.

The role of the Corporate Senior Legal Officer is to provide legal advice and assistance to the Public Guardian (and their delegates) in relation to the discharge of the Public Guardian’s statutory functions and exercise of their statutory powers under the Public Guardian Act 2014 and in relation to a range of other legislation impacting on service delivery by the Office of the Public Guardian.

key responsibilities:

• Undertake research and provide advice on issues of law, policy and practice relating to the rights and interests of children and young people in the child protection system and adults with impaired decision making capacity which impact on service delivery to those clients by the Office of the Public Guardian.
• Deliver legal services to the Public Guardian and their delegates. This includes:
• Attend and appear in litigation events and tribunal/court appearances when necessary including the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts, the Mental Health Review Tribunal and Mental Health Court, Children’s Court and family courts.
• Co-ordinate high priority external requests for information (e.g. Coroners Court, subpoenas and notices to produce).
• Review and provide feedback on strategic legislative/policy development/reform issues, OPG operational practice development and centralised data exchanges/information sharing proposals including Memorandums of Understanding.
• Develop, maintain and implement contemporary and innovative practice guidance materials to support the appropriate induction and effective client service delivery by legal officers and investigators taking into account relevant law, policy and procedures and review organisational delegations.
• Actively engage, build rapport and foster collaborative relationships with relevant internal/external stakeholders to promote the effective performance of the guardianship functions including contributing to the development/delivery of professional development opportunities about the work of the team and the role of the Office of the Public Guardian more generally.
• Ensure all work complies with data entry and reporting requirements and meets all other corporate and professional responsibilities, and uild and sustain positive relationships with team members, contribute to a multi-disciplinary workplace and actively participate in team planning and performance improvement processes.

mandatory qualifications and conditions:

• You are admitted or are eligible for immediate admission as a legal practitioner in Queensland.
• A minimum of 4 years post-admission experience ideally in criminal and/or child protection matters.

An information package and position description are attached.