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Job and Person Specification
Title of Role:
Legal Officer
Remuneration Level: LE2
South Australian Civil and
Business Unit:
Administrative Tribunal
Division:
Type of Appointment:
12 months
Position Number: MO8656
Job and Person Specification Approval
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DELEGATE
Primary Purpose
The Legal Officer is to report to the Principal Registrar through the Business Manager of the South
Australian Civil Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) for the provision of professional legal work and
advice to contribute towards high quality outcomes for the SACAT. The Legal Officer will assist in the
transition of new jurisdictions to SACAT and the work needed to embed the new jurisdictions.
Reporting Relationships
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Principal Registrar
Business Manager
Key Relationships/Interactions
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President, SACAT
Deputy President, SACAT
Deputy Registrars
SACAT Employees
SACAT Members
Members of the public
Internal and External Stakeholders
Attorney-General’s Department.
Key Challenges
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Service delivery complexities
Relationship management complexities
Special Conditions
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Some country travel as required.
AGD & Business Unit Conditions
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Participate in annual performance review and development
Actively participate in all mandatory training requirements
Abide by the standards in the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector (the Code)
Adhere to the values of SACAT – Respect, Service, Fairness and Collaboration
Employment is dependent upon a National Police Certificate clearance that the AGD finds
satisfactory.
Flexible Working Arrangement Options
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Flexitime arrangements are available in this role
Part time working arrangements are available in this role
Job Sharing arrangements are available in this role.
Responsibilities
This Job and Person Specification provides an indication of the type of duties you will be engaged to
perform. You may be lawfully directed to perform any duties that a person with your qualifications,
skills and abilities would reasonably be expected to perform.
The Legal Officer is responsible for:
Key Responsibility Area
Providing Legal Advice
Policy Development
Specified Duties
 Provide advice on legal policy,
legislative matters and
associated advice on matters
within the SACAT.
 Provide assistance to Principal
Registrar and Members with
respect to legal policy and law
reform issues.
 Conduct reviews of the
effectiveness of legislation and
prepare discussion papers,
policy options for consideration.
 Prepare proposals for
amendment to legislation.
Measurement/Outcomes
 A high level of consistency
obtained in legal advice.
 Timely and accurate legal
advice has been provided.
 Has provided a high level of
customer/client satisfaction, in
provision of support to the
SACAT.
 Reviews of legislation,
reports, policy options and/or
proposals are concise,
thorough and intelligible by
intended audience.
 Undertake research and data
analysis to inform policy.
 Draft policies to be ready for
wider consultation.
 Incorporate feedback and finalise
and communicate new policies
 Prepare procedures supporting
the new policies.
 Takes part in management of the
policies development processes.
 Contribute to special reviews and
policy related projects directed
towards the development of
policy objectives.
 Timeliness
 Compliance with relevant Act
and procedures.
 Consistency.
 Service standards met.
 Policy projects delivered by
agreed deadlines.
 Work delivered is considered
to be at a high level.
 Feedback incorporated where
appropriate and relevant
parties informed of the
progress.
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Provision of legal work
Compliance
 General legal services (advice,
drafting, research) as directed.
 Draft Memoranda of
Administrative Agreement.
 As required, request the Crown
for advice or drafting of specialist
legal documents (e.g. contracts
for services).
 Consider and consult with
relevant members for purposes
of making requests to Legislation
and Legal Policy (AGD) on
amendments to SACAT Act and
other legislation.
 Draft and review SACAT
publications directed to internal
and external audiences.
 Consult with agencies as new
jurisdictions are proposed for
SACAT.
 Consider and consult with
relevant members for purposes
of keeping Rules, Practice
Directions and delegations up to
date, particularly in new
jurisdictions to be conferred on
SACAT.
 Draft Cabinet Submissions and
other documents.
 Records of all
communication/documentatio
n are maintained.
 Compliance with relevant Act
and procedures.
 Consistency in conducting
investigations.
 Targets and timeframes met
 Maintain accurate records of
advice provided
 Accurate advice.
 Service standards met.
 Responsible and accountable for
adhering to the requirements of
the OHSW Act 1986; relevant
OHSW Regulations 1995; the
Equal Opportunity Act 1984; the
Public Sector Act 2009, and the
principles of diversity, and the
Department’s policies and
procedures;
 Keep accurate and complete
records of business activities in
accordance with the State
Records Act 1997.
 Abides by the Acts,
Regulations, Policies and
Procedures relevant to
employees of the Department;
 Documents and
correspondence filed
according to State Records
Act 1997.
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Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience relevant to the role
Technical
Knowledge
and Expertise
(Essential)
Technical
Knowledge
and Expertise
(Desirable)
 A degree in Law and admitted, or eligible for admission, as a practitioner of the
Supreme Court of South Australia
 Sound written and verbal communication skills
 Ability to research, assess legal issues, interpret legislation and provide sound
legal argument
 Ability to make rational decisions and to explain those decisions clearly and
concisely
 Initiative, ability to work under pressure and ability to think quickly and incisively
 Ability to present confidently in dealing with agencies and the public
 Knowledge of the functions and operations of state and local government
agencies
 Admitted as a practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia.
 Knowledge of Government policy objectives, processes, agency structure and
functions.
 Knowledge of the administrative functions and operations of a Court or Tribunal
 Knowledge of South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act
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Performance Matrix
These descriptions relate to the personal attributes and behaviours required of the Legal Officer.
Supports
Strategic
Thinking
Achieves
Results
Contributes to
Business
Excellence
Fosters
Working
Relationships
Models
Personal Drive
and
Professionalism
 Supports and communicates the goals and direction
 Translates objectives into practical terms to others
 Communicates risks and issues from employees to senior management
 Is sensitive to political drivers influencing priorities and decisions
 Actively participates in business planning
 Reinforces the need for change and innovation
 Sets clear expectations around quality of work and timeframes
 Monitors progress towards the achievement of goals
 Takes responsibility for the delivery of quality and timely results
 Ensures solutions are practical and achievable
 Prioritises workload effectively and negotiates deadlines where appropriate
 Participates in the bi-annual Performance Review and Development Process
(within the framework of the Attorney-General’s Department)
 Openly raises issues with manager/supervisor
 Seeks guidance/advice from others where necessary
 Responds positively to constructive feedback
 Actively participates in all necessary training
 Looks for ways to improve work practices
 Is willing to come to a compromise where appropriate
 Takes other opinions into account when decision making
 Encourages others to consult and seek the opinions of relevant stakeholders
 Shares information with own team
 Tailors his/her approach depending on the situation and audience
 Is approachable and easy to work with
 Listens to others and responds clearly
 Models courteousness and professionalism in the workplace
 Demonstrates integrity and ethical behaviour
 Challenges opposing views in a respectful manner
 Remains positive when faced with difficult challenges
 Seeks feedback on performance
 Seeks learning opportunities to strengthen areas for personal development
 Ensures procedures are put in place to maximise safety and welfare in the
workplace
Acknowledged by
occupant
(Print name)
/
/
/
(Signature)
Acknowledged by line
manager
(Print name)
/
(Signature & title)
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