This is a permanent, full time vacancy
About us
When you join the Department of Justice, you become part of a people-focused organisation, working hard to make our community a fairer and safer place to live. We offer many different employment opportunities in locations around Western Australia. You will have a chance to make a real difference to your local communities and to the lives of those you work with.
About the role
Work at the heart of government in Western Australia as a very experienced legislative drafter
The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office (PCO) is seeking a very experienced legislative drafter to fill a vacancy at a very senior level.
The responsibilities of the Senior Parliamentary Counsel include drafting highly complex or sensitive legislative instruments with full professional autonomy; mentoring, training, supervising and reviewing the performance of other drafters; playing an active role in the development of office practice and procedures; and playing a leadership and management role in PCO.
PCO provides comprehensive legislative drafting and related services to the Western Australian Government, its departments and agencies to ensure that legislation is prepared to give effect to government policy and priorities. PCO also provides legislative drafting services and advice to private members of Parliament and parliamentary committees, and maintains and updates the WA legislation website.
PCO offers an inclusive and supportive workplace, an attractive remuneration package, flexible working arrangements and challenging and fulfilling work at the heart of government providing legislative drafting services and related advice in relation to some of the most significant policy issues in Western Australia. Relocation expenses to Perth are available.
For more information about PCO’s work, see “Getting Government Legislation Drafted and Enacted” and “Getting Private Member’s Legislation Drafted and Enacted”, available on the WA legislation website at www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/Guides.html
Eligibility
Essential eligibility requirements: only very experienced legislative drafters who are one of the following should apply:
- A person who is an Australian lawyer who is the holder of, or is eligible to hold, an Australian practising certificate as defined in the Legal Profession Uniform Law (WA);
- A person who is eligible to be admitted to the legal profession in Western Australia under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Act 2007;
- A person who —
a) is admitted, or eligible for admission, as a lawyer in any of the following jurisdictions —
(i) Canada (including a Province or Territory of Canada);
(ii) Ireland;
(iii) the United Kingdom (including England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland); and
b) has been employed as a legislative drafter in a government legislative drafting office in one of those jurisdictions for a period or periods equivalent to 5 years.
About you
This role is for you if you ─
- have extensive experience in drafting highly complex or sensitive legislation in a legislative drafting office; and
- have extensive knowledge of best practice legislative drafting principles, statutory interpretation, the machinery of government and the legislative process; and
- have demonstrated leadership skills, including as a leader of a small team on large or complex drafting projects; and
- have the demonstrated ability to train, mentor, supervise and manage other drafters; and
- have the demonstrated ability to develop constructive relationships with clients and work appropriately with co-workers; and
- want to contribute to the management and strategic direction of PCO.
All employees are required to undergo employment screening, which includes a National Criminal History Check and other checks that may be relevant to the position requirements.
To be eligible for appointment, applicants must ─
- be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia, or have a visa to live and work indefinitely in Australia, at the time of application; or
- be in a reasonable position to obtain a visa to live and work indefinitely in Australia within 6 months after the closing date for applications for this position.
How to apply
Please ensure you review the attached JDF for further information about the requirements of the position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.
We require you to submit:
- A current comprehensive resume/curriculum vitae, including the contact details of 2 referees; and
- All relevant academic transcripts; and
- A cover letter of no more than 3 pages clearly stating —
- why you are interested in joining PCO; and
- how your skills and experience will make you a good fit to perform the work required in the context of the Role Specific Criteria found in the JDF. Please provide examples to support your claims.
Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.
To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this page. Emailed applications will not be accepted.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Justice is committed in building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal Australians, people with disability, youth, and other diversity groups. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.
Applicants with a disability requiring adjustment or accessibility requirements at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘Further Information’ section or contact WorkforceDiversity@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for a confidential discussion.
Subsequent Vacancies
Applicants found suitable but not recommended for this vacancy may be considered for subsequent similar vacancies in the Department of Justice for a period of 6 months, in accordance with Part 5 (General Appointment) of the Commissioner's Instructions No. 2: Filling a Public Sector Vacancy.
Further Information
If you would like further information regarding the position, please contact Geoff Lawn, Parliamentary Counsel on +61 (0) 438 337 004 for a confidential discussion.
