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.

• Permanent flexible full-time
• Contribute to a multi-disciplinary workplace
• CBD location, close to public transport

About the role

The Legal Officer (Guardianship) reports to the Principal Legal Officer (Guardianship).

The purpose of the Legal Officer (Guardianship) role is to:

• Advocate and make decisions in legal matters for adults with impaired decision-making capacity as a delegated legal officer in accordance with the Public Guardian Act 2014 and the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000.
• Provide 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 particularly in relation to guardianship decision making.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake advocacy and decision making for adults with impaired decision-making capacity, or support other delegated officers, where the Public Guardian is appointed as a guardian for legal matters in line with the policies, practices and procedures of the Office of the Public Guardian within a supported decision-making framework. This can include various areas of law including criminal law, mental health, child protection, domestic/family violence and family law. Duties can include:

• Ensuring that clients are legally represented, providing instructions to and assisting instructed legal representatives to ensure that clients achieve the best possible outcomes as a result of their interactions with legal systems and processes.
• Maintaining positive working relationships with clients, their families, legal representatives, services providers, advocates, government agencies and other interested stakeholders of guardianship clients.
• Advocating, negotiating and ensuring that decision-making processes for clients are in compliance with the applicable legislative principles under the Public Guardian Act 2014, the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 and the Powers of Attorney Act 1998 and organisational guidance in relation to supported decision making.
• Attending and appearing in litigation events 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 law courts.

• Build and sustain positive relationships with team members, contribute to a multi-disciplinary workplace and actively participate in team planning and performance improvement processes.
• 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 record keeping requirements and meets all other corporate and professional responsibilities.

A degree in law from a recognised tertiary institution and ability to be immediately admitted as a barrister or solicitor is required to perform this role.

Possession of a C class drivers’ license is a mandatory requirement for this role, as travel is required to attend court, meetings, and visits in a range of locations that are often not accessible by alternative means.

A position description is attached.