Executive Assistant to Justice Snaden

Job No: FedCourt183

Location: Melbourne, VIC

Closing Date: 26 Mar 2019 AEST

Division: Federal Court of Australia
Section: Judicial Support
Classification: Australian Public Service Level 6 (APS 6)
Salary: $76,848 - $88,276 per annum, plus superannuation
Job Type: Non-ongoing, full-time for a period of 12 months with possible extensions, and with the possibility to become ongoing.
Reports to: Director Court Services

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.

Jurisdiction
The Federal Court of Australia was created by the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) as a superior court of record and a court of law and equity. Its overarching goal is to contribute to the social and economic development and wellbeing of all Australians by applying and upholding the rule of law. It sits in all capital cities and elsewhere in Australia when necessary. The Court has jurisdiction in relation to almost all civil matters and some summary and indictable criminal matters arising under Australian federal law. The Court is able to hear cases in relation to admiralty, bankruptcy, competition, consumer protection, corporations, fair work, human rights, intellectual property and native title. It also has the power to review some Federal Government decisions in areas such as social security, immigration and taxation.

Position Overview
The position of Executive Assistant requires administrative and executive assistant skills of a high order, including experience in a legal environment.
Executive Assistants need to organise their daily workload in order to meet deadlines within strict time constraints. They need to be able to work proactively, autonomously, demonstrate initiative, flexibility and sound judgement. They also need to demonstrate an ability to work in an environment which requires tact and discretion. Executive Assistants also require experience in or the ability to acquire in-depth knowledge of case management in a court environment including docket management, listing arrangements, chambers administration and judicial support.

Major Activities
1. Maintain a judge’s chambers for:

• Diary and commitments;
• Manage chambers records;
• Liaise on behalf of the judge, as required, with individuals, groups or organisations both within and outside the court on a range of matters; and
• Library collection.

2. Provide executive assistant support:

• At the judge’s discretion, be available outside normal work hours as necessary;
• Ensure that judgments and correspondence are produced accurately, and in accordance with the Court’s requirements;
• Ensure the security of draft judgments and other documents;
• Advise and negotiate with parties and their representatives on a range of administrative issues, including case file management;
• Take responsibility for the management and maintenance of hardcopy and electronic court files allocated to the Judges docket, ensuring accurate and complete records are retained at all times;
• Deal with queries and media enquiries under the supervision of the judge;
• Provide administrative, secretarial and clerical services;
• Assist the judge in relation to interstate hearings and Full Court matters as required and arrange official travel;
• Prepare presentations as required by the judge;
• Assist with the induction and training of new Associates as required; and
• Liaise with other registries, registry staff, etc. on behalf of the judge.

Key Relationships

• Judge
• Associate
• Other Judges, Executive Assistants and Associates of other chambers
• Registry staff
• Members of the legal profession and the public 

Competencies & Attributes
Working to a busy Judge of the Court and as part of a small Chambers team, the successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and initiative, taking personal responsibility for progressing work to ensure objectives are met, and also be constructive and adaptable to changing demands and an ability to maintain confidentiality.

Formal Qualifications
This role does not require formal qualifications.

Selection Criteria

1. Administrative and executive assistant skills of a high order including experience of at least two years in a legal environment. Ability to work autonomously to organise workload and achieve accurate and complete outcomes, using strong attention to detail skills, within strict time constraints.
2. Strong liaison, communication and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work in an environment which requires tact and discretion. An ability to work effectively to provide seamless high level support to the Judge in a job share setting. 
3. Experience in or the ability to acquire in-depth knowledge of case management in a court environment including docket management, listing arrangements, chambers administration and judicial support.
4. Ability to undertake less complex research tasks.
5. Ability to demonstrate initiative, flexibility and sound judgement.
6. An understanding of the APS policies and guidelines including the Code of Conduct, Workplace Harassment and Bullying policy, Workplace diversity and WHS.

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 and attach an up to date resume by 11:55pm AEDT on 25 March 2019.

For more information contact Thomas Stewart, Deputy Director Court Services, by phone (03) 8600 3375 or email thomas.stewart@fedcourt.gov.au

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