Senior Legal Case Manager (Native Title)

Job No: FedCourt178

Location: Perth, WA

Closing Date: 27 Mar 2019 AEDT

Section: Native Title
Classification: Australian Public Service Level 6 (APS 6)
Salary: $76,848 - $88,276 per annum, plus superannuation
Job Type: Non-ongoing; full-time opportunity for a period of 12 months with the possibility to become ongoing.
Reports to: Judicial Registrars (Native Title), National Judicial Registrar (Native Title)

Overview of Agency
The Federal Court of Australia (the Entity) is a non-Corporate listed entity for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and a statutory agency for the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999. The Entity supports the operations of the Federal Court of Australia (FCA), Family Court of Australia (FCoA), the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (FCC) and the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT). The FCA, FCoA and FCC are Chapter III Courts under the Australian Constitution and continue to operate as individual judicial jurisdictions.

Position Overview
The Senior Legal Case Manager (Native Title) is a key member of a team supporting Judges, Judicial Registrars, parties and legal practitioners to manage designated native title claims to resolution through litigation and/or associated alternative dispute resolution. The Senior Legal Case Manager (Native Title) also provides high-level administrative support to the Court in relation to native title claims generally. The Case Manager reports to Judicial Registrars and the National Judicial Registrar.

The position involves the following functions:-

• Arranging listings and associated logistical arrangements for case management hearings, hearing and remote hearings either on direction from a Judicial Registrar or as required on designated files.
• Assists Judicial Registrars and mediators in the case management of native title claims including in implementation of claim specific case management strategies.
• Provides direction and leadership for Legal Case Managers (Native Title).
• Preparation for, attendance at and take responsibility for tasks arising from case management hearings and mediations on designated files.
• Has a key responsibility for developing and maintaining positive relationships with Court users, liaising with parties to progress matters and being responsive to stakeholder needs.
• Maintaining a well-developed knowledge of commonly used legislation and Court procedures in order to providing timely and accurate information about the jurisdiction, relevant legislation and the procedures of the Court to parties, stakeholders and members of the public.
• Competently using Court applications and associated documentation, accurately entering and maintaining information on Court databases, entering and disseminating listing information, and managing Court records.
• Assist with and contribute to special projects as required, including the drafting of moderately complex reports and service delivery improvement

Major Activities
Provide Quality Client Services

• Provide information and respond to enquiries about Native Title processes and procedures from legal practitioners and parties, including unrepresented litigants.
• Liaise with chambers, supervising Judicial Registrars and parties regarding listing Native Title matters and publishing orders.
• Update calendars and timetables with listing details and provide NOR calendar updates as required.
• Communicate with the National Native Title Tribunal about designated native title files in accordance with the Native Title Act 1993,
• Maintain caseload information and statistics on SharePoint, case management systems internal reports and case management tools.
• Maintain a high level of technical expertise in managing native title matters within the Court.
• Assist with arrangements for stakeholder forums.

Assist in the efficient case management of matters in the Native Title Practice Area

• On designated files, develop agendas and draft outcomes for mediation and case management conferences within agreed timeframes.
• Prepare draft mediation reports to the Court on designated files.
• Maintain accurate electronic records necessary to support the case management and listing of native title matters and the statistical reporting for the native title practice area.
• Generate correspondence advising parties of listings or as required by the Judicial Registrar.
• Ensure logistical arrangements for designated files are in place for mediations, conferences and hearings including booking venues and any associated travel and accommodation.
• Assist with acquittal of travel following the event.

Document Processing

• Promptly process documents and case related material, including documents that are e-lodged and referred for consideration following any necessary consultation with the Judicial Registrar.
• Ensure designated native title files are maintained in accordance with filing protocols.
• Monitor filed materials to identify any compliance or technical issues and liaise with general registry staff as required to ensure prompt provision of native title information to the native title team and management of court processes on native title files.
• Apply any innovations and process changes in a responsive manner.
• Manage exhibits, subpoenaed and confidential documents in accordance with the Federal Court Rules and registry procedures

Contribute as a Member of a Work Based Team

• Pro-actively assist team members and other colleagues whenever the need arise;
• Perform a number of roles within the team environment
• Assist with the training of new staff and assist client service officers to ensure they attain an appropriate knowledge base
• Identify potential business improvements and implement practices to improve court procedures.

Other duties as required.

Key Relationships

• National Judicial Registrar (Native Title)
• Judicial Registrars – assist with management of workload and seek advice on more complex matters as required, report on progress, approve work as required
• Legal Case Manager – may be directly supervised or allocated tasks by the Senior Legal Case Manager.
• Native Title team members – to negotiate work allocations and ensure work flows smoothly
• External users (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties in native title matters) – provide information about Court practices and procedures
• Internal users – meet the requirements of Judges, Associates, Executive Assistants, Registrars and other staff.

Competencies & Attributes

• Apply initiative and professional accountability to ensure that the Registrar’s docket is run efficiently and effectively

• Anticipate Judicial Registrar’s needs and manage tasks and projects to ensure agreed outcomes are delivered
• Contribute to the reputation of the court and the Judicial Registrar by delivering high level service to clients in the registry and in the courtroom, assisting with making the Court experience a positive one
• Maintain good relationships with all key stakeholders
• Provide high quality support services to all internal clients
• Provide technical advice, including training and support, to colleagues
• Contribute to an effective and enjoyable teamwork environment in a multi-skilled work team
• Ensure data quality is maintained and files are kept in good order
• Contribute to continuous improvements in work practices and processes
• Model high standard of professional behaviour and comply with the policies of the Court and the Australian Public Service.

Formal Qualifications
Legal work experience and qualifications are highly regarded.

Previous native title experience or experience working on Indigenous issues is highly regarded.

Special Requirements

• Flexibility to travel as required, and
• Open driver’s license

Selection Criteria

1. Ability to provide high-level case management and administrative support to Judicial Registrars (or a similar professional group), including demonstrated commitment to excellence in service delivery, attention to detail and strong research ability.
2. Ability to manage time effectively, assisting the work of the Judicial Registrar as well as manage own workload.
3. Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, with proven ability to present develop and maintain positive professional relationships. Be able to exercise tact and discretion, act impartially and maintain confidentiality.
4. Demonstrated proficiency with technology, particularly ability to quickly learn and use the court’s case management data base (Casetrack), SharePoint, Microsoft office and other records management systems.
5. Demonstrated ability to think organisationally and work effectively as a member of a team by being flexible and adaptable to support others in delivering strategic and operational outcomes. 
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the jurisdiction of the Federal Court and its practical application, in particular the Native Title jurisdiction.

Eligibility
Employment with the Federal Court of Australia is subject to the requirement of the Public Service Act 1999. The following requirements also apply:

• Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must be an Australian citizenship, unless the Chief Operating Officer waives that requirement.
• National Police Check – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check, and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
• Health clearance – the successful applicant must be fit for duties and will be required to complete a health declaration and may be required to attend a medical assessment to confirm their fitness for duty.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an Australian Public Service agency are welcome to apply, but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired, unless the Public Service Commissioner agrees.

How to Apply

To be considered you will need to upload a comprehensive statement of claims against the selection criteria (maximum 1500 words total) and attach an up to date resume by 11:55pm AEDT on 22 March 2019.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Ann Daniel, Judicial Registrar- Native Title, by e-mail ann.daniel@fedcourt.gov.au or phone (08) 9268 7116.

Please note once you submit your application you will not be able to edit it.