Judicial Associate to Justice Harper

Federal Court of Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Court of Australia in Sydney is seeking a Judicial Associate to provide high-level administrative support to a judicial officer, enabling efficient court business and timely handling of hearings. The role involves travelling on circuit and to relief locations, coordinating court files, preparing orders and judgments, and ensuring up-to-date filing and calendar management.

You will work in a team, manage competing priorities, liaise with judiciary, practitioners, and external

Qualifications

• Knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of Family Court functions, procedures and terminology.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake research, prepare reports and correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to operate computer-based equipment and software (word processing, email, spreadsheets).
• Strong organisational skills, initiative, ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work under pressure in a team.
• Well-developed personal skills including tact, discretion and effective communication with judiciary, legal professionals and staff.

Responsibilities

• Attend court with the judicial officer, including circuit sittings, to provide administrative support during trials and lists.
• Manage court files before and after trials to keep them up to date.
• Provide high-level administrative support to distribute orders and judgments promptly.
• Enter data into court systems to reflect workload of the judicial officer.
• Make travel arrangements (flights, accommodation, car) for circuit sittings and meetings.
• Update the judge’s filing system with current legislation and references.
• Undertake personal work as required by the judicial officer.
• Assist at conferences, functions and meetings to ensure professional conduct.

Skills

Knowledge of Family Court functions

Research skills

Computer literacy

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Tools

Word processing

Email

Spreadsheets

Job description

The position of judicial associate is responsible for providing a high level of administrative support to a judicial officer.

Travel on circuit and judicial relief locations, both intra and interstate may be required.

The purpose of this position is to ensure:

• that the judicial officer is able to conduct the business of the Court in a professional and efficient manner
• the timely completion of all tasks associated with court hearings, and
• to actively participate as a member of the judicial support team.

Major Activities

This role requires an individual who works well in a team environment.The position involves a number of competing priorities and therefore requires good organisational skills to meet these demands.

The position of Judicial Associate has regular and substantial contact with members of the judiciary, court staff, legal practitioners, clients and external agencies including:

• liaison with client service / case coordination staff in respect to court files
• liaison with legal practitioners and clients in respect of orders and judgments and the listing of matters before the judicial officer
• liaison with external agencies including Legal Aid and the Australian Federal Police, and
• liaison with the Team Leader Judicial Support in respect to the judicial court calendar, leave and travel approvals, and other judicial entitlements.

The major responsibilities of the Judicial Associate include:

• attending court with the judicial officer, including circuit sittings, to provide administrative support to the judicial officer during all trials, pre-trials and duty lists
• managing court files prior to and at the completion of trials to ensure that the files are maintained and up to date
• providing a high level of administrative support to the judicial officer to ensure the prompt distribution of orders and judgments
• entering data accurately into the Court’s case management and other information systems to reflect the workload of the judicial officer
• making travel arrangements (flight bookings, accommodation reservations and car bookings) associated with circuit and relief sittings, and attendance at meetings and conferences
• updating the judicial officer’s loose-leaf filing system to ensure that he/she has access to the most recent legislation and reference material
• undertaking personal work as required by the judicial officer, and
• providing assistance, if required, at conferences, functions and/or meetings to ensure that the respective event is conducted in a professional manner.

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of, Family Court functions, organisation, practices, procedures and terminology.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake research, prepare reports and correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to operate computer-based equipment and associated software packages such as word processing, e-mail and spreadsheet applications. Possess proficient keyboard skills.
• Demonstrated sound organisational skills, initiative, the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure in a team environment.
• Well-developed personal skills, including tact, discretion and the ability to communicate effectively with members of the judiciary, the legal profession, the public and other court staff.

Contact Officer

For more information, please contact Sally Becher Judicial Service Team Leader via email************@fcfcoa.gov.auor(02) 8623 4***

Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following:

• Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
• Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
• Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.

Diversity and Inclusion

Federal Court Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability.

First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.

Federal Court Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability