Senior Executive Service, Band 1 (SES1)- Branch Manager – Legal Services

Senior Executive Service, Band 1 (SES1)- Branch Manager Legal Services

With the support of area specialist section managers, as Branch Manager, Legal Services, you will lead a team of lawyers, legislative drafters and professional support personnel.

In particular, responsibilities include leading and overseeing :

• the delivery of CASA’s legal advisory services,
• representation and instruction of counsel in connection with corporate, civil and regulatory litigation matters including tribunal and coronial proceedings,
• the conduct of investigations into matters involving possible contraventions of the civil aviation legislation,
• the performance of CASA’s testing functions for alcohol and other drugs and
• compliance with CASA’s freedom of information and privacy-related obligations.

Working closely with Executive Manager, Legal, International and Regulatory Affairs (EM LIRA), you will engage across all business areas in CASA, including the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, with a view to ensuring existing and potential legal risks are identified and effectively addressed.

You will support CASA management and staff in their efforts to ensure CASA’s legal obligations are clearly understood and fully satisfied.

You will support the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety, and where appropriate, the Chair and members of the CASA Board on matters having legal and legally-related implications.

As a member of CASA’s Senior Leadership Team, the role contributes to the strategic direction of the Organisation and acts in accordance with CASA’s values and behaviours and consistent with the Regulatory Philosophy.

This position is based in Canberra, will require interstate travel and may require some overseas travel.

Reporting directly to the EM LIRA, the role is responsible for the following deliverables, which represent an ongoing body of work.

• Developing, maintaining and actively working to ensure compliance with CASA’s legal policy and practice procedures manuals and supporting documents.
• Ensuring a consistently high quality is reflected in LIRA’s legal work products as these are prepared and provided in a timely and usable form.
• Supporting and mentoring the Branch’s lawyers and legal support personnel.
• Working with CASA’s training specialists, developing, delivering and arranging for the development and delivery of relevant, high-quality legal training and instruction for CASA staff and managers.

You will work supportively and cooperatively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve shared outcomes.

You will engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in a sensitive, respectful and equitable manner.

You will promote workplace safety, equity and diversity, and act in accordance with the CASA Values and Behaviours.

You will undertake other duties as required.

Our ideal candidate will have :

• experience leading, managing, and mentoring a team of lawyers and supporting professional staff, developing team culture and implementing collaborative and coordinated work practices.
• experience in, or a high level of understanding of, the operation of Commonwealth, state or territory government authorities performing regulatory functions and exercising regulatory powers.
• A law degree from a recognised Australian law school or a recognised law school in another common law jurisdiction.
• Admission to practice in the Australian Capital Territory, or eligibility for such admission.
• A current practicing certificate in the Australian Capital Territory, or eligibility to obtain a practicing certificate.
• At least five (5) years’ experience in one or more of the following :
• o the practice of law in Australia or another common law jurisdiction with a focus on public and administrative or criminal law;

o the conduct of litigation in the courts and tribunals of an Australia or another common law jurisdiction.

o managing the work of a team of lawyers in the conduct of litigation or the provision of written and oral legal advice to clients.

It is desirable that you have

• experience in drafting legislation, legislative and other legal instruments having legislative and administrative effect
• an appreciation of the domestic and international context in which CASA operates, including the roles and functions of CASA and Australia’s obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation and other aviation-related international agreements.
• A good understanding, or the ability to develop a good understanding of

o the role and functions of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), having regard to both CASA’s regulatory and safety-related powers and functions and CASA’s corporate functions as a Commonwealth corporate entity.

o Australia’s obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation and other aviation-related international agreements.

o the powers and functions of the governments of New Zealand and other major metropolitan States (e.g., the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom) and the European Union, particularly as these may relate to the regulation of aviation safety.

o the composition, interests and concerns of the Australian aviation industry.

o Australia’s role as a leading aviation State globally and in the Asia-Pacific region more particularly.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with CASA is subject to conditions prescribed within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 . The following eligibility requirements apply to this position :

• At minimum, prospective CASA employees must undergo pre-employment screening. You must be willing to provide required information to successfully undergo a police record check.
• The occupant of the position must be an Australian citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people of the LGBTIQA+ community, including transgender, gender diverse, and intersex people.

Affirmative Measures

This vacancy is being advertised concurrently under a general and an affirmative measure recruitment process.

An affirmative measure appointment is only available to Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait people or people living with a disability, evidence will be requested if your application progresses under an affirmative measures process.

About us

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) primary function is to conduct the safety regulation of civil air operations in Australia, Australian civil airspace and the operation civil air operations in Australia, Australian civil airspace and the operation of Australian aircraft overseas.

CASA is committed to having a flexible and inclusive workplace and recognises and values the diversity of the wider Australian community.

We encourage and welcome applications from people with Disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.

Culture and benefits

We value our people. CASA values social and cultural diversity and is committed to a safe workplace. We are committed to the attraction, recruitment and retention of Indigenous Australians and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

CASA is committed to attaining and retaining the highest quality of skilled professionals and providing a desirable work environment in which they can maximise their talent and potential.

We provide rewarding careers, promote work-life balance and support professional and personal development.

Contact Officer for enquiries : Jonathan Aleck [email protected] 02 6217 1600

Closing Date for Applications : 11.59pm AEDT, Thursday 30 May 2024

For full details and information on the role please visit the Careers Civil Aviation Safety Authority (casa.gov.au). Applications for all CASA vacancies must be submitted through the CASA e-Recruitment portal.

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