The Office of the Crown Solicitor of Tasmania (OCS) provides transactional legal advice and services for the State of Tasmania and its statutory authorities.
OCS possesses a strong blend of government and commercial legal expertise and know how.
OCS practitioners have extensive experience across unique and complex large transactions and routine legal matters. OCS provides legal advice and support across diverse areas, including property development and management, major projects, building and construction, information and communications technology and specialist procurement matters.
OCS works within the context of government, and its legislative, policy and accountability regimes, to navigate constraints and issues, supporting our clients to deliver outcomes for the Tasmanian public across diverse policy areas including justice, health, transport, housing, education and emergency services.
Employment Opportunities
At OCS, our team of practitioners and support staff are integral to our ability to assist our clients. Our team includes 26 legal practitioners, with extensive and senior experience in government and the private sector and a professional team of support staff.
Due to a demand for our professional services and an increase in funding we are looking for legal practitioners to join our team with a broad range of experience from Legal Practitioner Level 1 through to Legal Practitioner Level 4 on both a permanent and fixed term basis. OCS are particularly interested in practitioners with expertise in complex property, information and communications technology and building and construction matters.
Please note that all the positions will be located in the Hobart Office of the Crown Solicitor
Overview of the Legal Roles
There are a number of positions available ranging from Legal Practitioner Level 1 through to Legal Practitioner Level 4. To provide some guidance the differences between the classifications are as follows:
Legal Practitioner Level 1
This is the entry level for a junior Legal Practitioner who will undertake routine legal work within their skill and competence level. It is expected they will work initially under
specific direction of a more experienced legal practitioner. For example assist more senior Legal Practitioners with research, preparation, drafting and other appropriate tasks as directed.
Through a process of structured Professional Development, they would be expected to work under more general supervision and undertake assigned tasks independently.
Legal Practitioner Level 2
A Level 2 Legal Practitioner is moderately experienced Legal Practitioner who has more than 2 years’ relevant post-admission experience. They are expected to initially undertake basic legal work and will progress to more routine or complex legal work as they gain experience.
They are expected to have acquired a body of relevant professional knowledge in a field relevant to the nature of the duties performed such as property or commercial law. They will also have the skills to work under the General Supervision or General Direction of a more senior Legal Practitioner and would be expected to undertake negotiations or consultations relevant to the nature of the duties performed. For example the carriage and conduct as solicitor of commercial and conveyancing matters which include the requirement for independent drafting of documents, and negotiation of outcomes.
Legal Practitioner Level 3
A Level 3 Legal Practitioner will be an experienced Legal Practitioner and possesses a substantial body of professional knowledge and may have specialised expertise in commercial law often with specific experience in a particular area such as property or construction. As a guide a minimum of five years experience in commercial law would be expected at this level.
They may be required to undertake Complex Legal Work and/or Legal Work of a sensitive nature under the Direct Supervision or General Supervision of a more senior Legal Practitioner. They will have appropriate expertise and specialised skills necessary to undertake negotiations or consultations relevant to the nature of the duties performed and will provide legal guidance involving a substantial degree of independent professional judgement.
They will also have effective leadership skills to provide supervision, guidance and assistance to Legal Practitioners of a lower classification level, including allocating work, or undertaking the role of leader of a small unit requiring the coordination of the work of a number of Legal Practitioners.
Legal Practitioner Level 4
A Level 4 Legal Practitioner is a very experienced Legal Practitioner with an extensive body of relevant professional legal knowledge, significant expertise in commercial law often with a particular focus on property law, special projects, conveyancing and construction. As a guide a minimum of seven years experience in commercial law would be expected at this level.
A practitioner at this level is expected to undertake complex and critical legal work, which may be of a sensitive nature. They will operate under general direction and will be expected to exercise personal and professional judgement in the determination of overall strategies, priorities and work standards in respect of their work and their assigned team.
They will provide high level of professional advice based on an in-depth and comprehensive knowledge of commercial law in which they focus and will have an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the strategic context within which the Legal Work is undertaken. This will include the responsibility to directly provide policy and strategic advice to the relevant Principal on matters of significance.
They will be responsible for the direction and control of subordinate Legal Practitioners including leading, directing, supervising and coordinating specific projects of their work team.
Essential Requirements
Admitted or eligible for admission as Barrister or Practitioner of the Supreme Court of Tasmania
Pre-employment Checks
The Head of State Service has determined that the person nominated for this vacancy is to satisfy a pre-employment check before taking up the appointment, promotion or transfer.
The following checks are to be conducted:
1. Pre-employment checks
• Arson and fire setting
• Violent crimes and crimes against the person
• Sex-related offences
• Drug and alcohol related offences
• Crimes involving dishonesty
• Crimes involving deception
• Making false declarations
• Malicious damage and destruction to property
• Serious traffic offences
• Crimes against public order or relating to the Administration of Law and Justice
• Crimes against Executive or the Legislative Power
• Crimes involving Conspiracy
2. Disciplinary action in previous employment.
3. Identification check.
Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents
Statement of Duties (Various) OCS Legal Practitioner Level 1 February 2025.docx
Statement of Duties (Various) OCS Legal Practitioner Level 1 February 2025.pdf
Statement of Duties (Various) OCS Legal Practitioner Level 2 February 2025.docx
Statement of Duties (Various) OCS Legal Practitioner Level 2 February 2025.pdf
Statement of Duties (Various) OCS Legal Practitioner Level 3 February 2025.docx
Statement of Duties (Various) OCS Legal Practitioner Level 3 February 2025.pdf
Statement of Duties (Various) OCS Legal Practitioner Level 4 February 2025.docx
Statement of Duties (Various) OCS Legal Practitioner Level 4 February 2025.pdf
Information for Applicants (DOJ) Short Form Application.docx
Information for Applicants (DOJ) Short Form Application.pdf
FAQs Short Form Application.docx
FAQs Short Form Application.pdf
How to apply
To apply, please provide a Short Form Application which is a 1-2 page covering letter outlining your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the Statement of Duties, and a copy of your current Resumé/CV. We do not require a separate statement addressing the selection criteria.
Please indicate in your application which level (ranging from 1 - 4) you are applying for. If you are applying for more than one level, your application should be pitched at the higher level Statement of Duties.
Please note if you submit the details of your referees with your application the Selection Panel may contact them without notifying you.
Please apply online by clicking the blue 'Apply Now' button.
Refer to the 'Information for Applicants (DOJ)' document for further information. Please note, attachments must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact the Department of Justice Recruitment Team on (03) 6165 4946.
For more information
Chelsea Trubody-Jager
Director Crown Law
chelsea.trubody-jager@justice.tas.gov.au
Phone: (03) 6165 3635
Reasonable Adjustment Queries
Organisational Development and Design Team
(03) 6165 7603