Elevate your career in public law: Join our State Counsel team This is a Pool process with permanent and fixed term, full time and part time opportunities (a minimum of 0.8 FTE will be considered). Currently, there are two (2) permanent or fixed term contracts available for immediate filling. About us The State Solicitor's Office (the Office) is the Western Australian Government’s principal legal adviser. The Office enables government action, manages the State’s legal risk, and supports the First Law Officer with authoritative advice on key legal issues. Our work delivers demonstrably better government decisions, strengthens the rule of law, and leads to greater community trust in the public sector. We are a centre of legal excellence committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism. Legal services provided by us include the provision of legal advice; the preparation of legal documents; the conduct of litigation; and representation as counsel in courts and tribunals. The Office provides these services in a cost effective and timely way, consistent with maintaining legal excellence and integrity in the Government's legal dealings. Legal Sections within the Office include Civil Litigation; Public & General Litigation; State Counsel; Advice, Policy & Public Law; Native Title & State Lands and Commercial. About the role The Office is searching for dynamic and experienced lawyers to join its busy State Counsel Section. The State Counsel Section provides legal representation and advice to the State Government across a wide range of complex and sensitive civil and criminal matters. The ideal applicant will have experience appearing as counsel in contested court hearings, particularly in the Supreme Court or District Court and have experience with criminal law and/or proceedings under the High Risk Serious Offenders Act 2020 (WA) and/or proceedings governed by the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023 (WA) or similar legislation. Knowledge of, and experience with, the operation of one or both of these Acts is desirable. In particular, we are seeking lawyers with specialist skills in any of the following areas: High Risk Serious Offenders (HRSO) – members of the Counsel Section working in this area are responsible for assessing and managing applications on behalf of the State for post-sentence restriction orders in relation to high risk serious offenders and proceedings for contraventions of supervision orders by such offenders. Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) (CLMI) – members of the Counsel Section working in this area are responsible for assessing and managing applications on behalf of the Attorney General for extended custody orders or community supervision orders in relation to supervised persons under the new Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023. The work in both areas includes regular appearances in contested applications in the Supreme Court and sometimes in other courts and has protection of the community as its focus. It is important to note that these teams are regularly exposed to highly sensitive and potentially traumatic material. As such, suitable applicants must possess a high level of resilience to navigate the demands of the role effectively. This recruitment process is designed to identify a body of suitable lawyers at the following levels: Assistant State Solicitor Level L4LG $165,720 - $195,462 per annum or pro rata plus super. Assistant State Solicitor Level L5LG $213,902 per annum or pro rata plus super. Senior Assistant State Solicitor Level L6LG $236,096 - $264,726 per annum or pro rata plus super. Senior Assistant State Solicitor Level L7LG $278,238 per annum or pro rata plus super. The decision on how many offers of employment will be made, at what levels and when, will be determined by business needs. Offers of employment which are drawn from this recruitment pool will be for fixed term or permanent opportunities, depending on business needs. Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of these positions. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application. Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace The Office is committed to 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. If you have any needs that require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in the application and assessment process, or alternative methods of communication, please contact sso.wa.gov.au What is on offer? Salary packaging is available. 12% Superannuation. Access to flexible working arrangements including working from home arrangements and generous leave for enhanced work life balance. Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services. Access to the Office's in-house continuing professional development program (CPD) and Membership of the Law Society. Relocation assistance available for interstate applicants. More information If you would like further information regarding this opportunity, please contact Fleur Allen, on (08) 9264 18or email sso.wa.gov.au for a confidential discussion. How to apply If you don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity, apply now by submitting: A Comprehensive CV outlining your experience and key achievements relative to the position,including the contact details of two referees. Copies of any relevant qualifications and admission certificate. A statement of no more than three (3) pages outlining: The level you are applying for; Why you are interested in joining the Office’s State Counsel Section, and how your skills and experience will make you a good fit to perform the required work in the context of the Job Related Requirements found on the JDF attachment to this advertisement. Applicants will be assessed against all the Job Related Requirements and/or Role Specific Criteria outlined in the JDF. Submitting your application Applications must be submitted through this portal. To submit your application click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this page. Emailed and late applications will not be accepted. If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone RAMS Helpdesk on 1300 733 056 for assistance. If you have any needs that require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in the application and assessment process, or alternative methods of communication, please contact sso.wa.gov.au. Other important information The Office may conduct further search activities after the closing date, if required, to extend the field of applicants. Solicitors currently employed by the Office may ONLY apply for opportunities at their current classification level. Internal applications for higher classification levels will not be eligible for promotion via this process. Successful applicants may be required to participate in psychometric and/or psychological assessments during the recruitment process and the course of employment. This pool will be open for a period of twelve (12) months from the day after the breach of standard claim period closes. We use our recruitment pools to build a bank of talent for future opportunities. Applicants found suitable in this pool, may be considered for subsequent, similar vacancies with the State Solicitor's Office for the duration of the pool; however, an appointment is not guaranteed. To be eligible for a permanent appointment, applicants must be Australian citizens, or have permanent residency status, or hold an appropriate working visa covering the term of the appointment, in relation to fixed-term vacancies. The recommended applicant will be required to complete a pre-employment screening process prior to appointment. This includes undergoing employment screening, which includes a National Criminal History Check and other checks that may be relevant to the position requirements. This recruitment file may be shared with other agencies across the public sector upon request for consideration of similar appointments. Attachments: - jdf assistant state solicitor l4lg (generic) 12 apr 2023.pdf - jdf assistant state solicitor l5lg (generic) 12 apr 2023.pdf - jdf senior assistant state solicitor l6lg (generic) 12 apr 2023.pdf - jdf senior assistant state solicitor l7lg (generic) 12 apr 2023.pdf