The Department of Treasury and Finance Legal Team is hiring for Seasonal Clerks for 2022/2023.
The Department
DTF serves the government by providing leadership in economic, financial, and resource management. We influence outcomes that can have a real impact on people’s lives. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians. We value our people and motivate them to lead, influence, collaborate, and innovate.
At DTF, you’ll be part of a highly respected and professional organization that allows you to apply your knowledge while offering flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth. You’ll be working in the heart of State Government in a dynamic and collaborative environment with opportunities to undertake stimulating work.
As an equal opportunity employer, DTF values employee diversity and we’re committed to building a more inclusive workforce.
We welcome applicants of any age, gender identity, parental/carer status, ability, religion, or cultural background, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates. As part of our commitment to a 50:50 gender equity target at the EO level, we have mandated gender-balanced shortlists and interview panels for all EO roles.
All roles can be worked flexibly. If you’d like to discuss your options or you have a reasonable adjustment request, please contact the recruiting manager or our People and Culture team.
DTF Legal
DTF Legal provides internal legal and advisory services to the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the DTF Secretary and board, and other DTF business units. The team advises on the full spectrum of issues faced by our stakeholders.
Our work includes providing advice on the delivery of State significant social and economic infrastructure and commercial projects (for example, the West Gate Tunnel project, the $2bn commercialization of Land Use Victoria; Partnerships Addressing Disadvantage, the $9bn lease of the Port of Melbourne); Victoria’s financial management framework (including the delivery of the annual State Budget); as well as public policy and administrative law matters and managing litigation and disputes (including in relation to employment, freedom of information and contractual issues).
The team has a significant commercial practice, supporting the Department’s Commercial Division and Invest Victoria, as well as DTF’s whole of government procurement of goods and services including developing and administering State Purchase Contracts and the Shared Service Provider’s property and leasing services. The team also has strong statutory interpretation skills and provides quality advice regarding the powers of our Ministers and portfolio statutory authorities, Parliament and external integrity and accountability bodies, and a range of other public and administrative law and governance issues.
Key Accountabilities
In this role, you will be exposed to the day-to-day work undertaken by the team and will have the opportunity to participate in projects and transactions. You will be expected to contribute to the team’s work in the following areas:
- Communication and technical legal skills
- Assisting with conducting research and communicating your findings.
- Assisting with drafting advice, contracts, legal instruments, correspondence, briefs for Ministers and senior executives, and Cabinet submissions and policy proposals.
Leadership and teamwork
- Contributing to DTF Legal’s positive culture by working cooperatively and flexibly with a diverse team of lawyers.
Client focus and stakeholder relationships
- Supporting the development of close, effective, and open relationships with other DTF business units, other departments and agencies.
- Maintaining a client-focus in the delivery of advice and other work
Proactive matter management and strategic insight
- Proactively monitor your workload and assist team members to ensure deadlines are met.
- Undertake other tasks relevant to DTF Legal’s and Corporate and Government Services Division’s responsibilities, including corporate development and projects and organizational development initiatives to improve culture and performance.
Key selection criteria
- Technical ability - Highly developed conceptual and analytical skills demonstrated by strong academic performance.
- Communication skills – Excellent written and verbal communication skills – able to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely and with a logical structure.
- Teamwork and leadership – Ability to perform and contribute in a team-focussed work environment, and take leadership and responsibility for your performance.
- Client focus and stakeholder relationships – Able to demonstrate an understanding of the way DTF Legal’s work is used by clients, and the factors that contribute to strong client and stakeholder relationships.
- Matter management – Demonstrated ability to proactively manage and prioritize workloads, and identify and raise risks and issues.
Experience and qualifications
- Applicants must be law students in their final or penultimate year of study.
- Applicants are not expected to have any prior practical experience in the field of law.
Other relevant information
- This position is being offered in accordance with the LIV Seasonal Clerkship Guidelines 2022. Applications close at 11.59 pm on Sunday 14 August 2022. Offers for clerkships will be made from 10.00 am on Wednesday 19 October 2022, for three-week clerkships in December 2022, January 2023, or June/July 2023.
- This position description is an overview of the role; changes to the role should be expected reflecting changes in departmental goals and priorities, activities, or job focus.
- The successful applicant will be employed pursuant to the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2020 and DTF’s relevant policies.
- Applicants must be Australian citizens, Permanent residents, or hold a valid work permit or visa.
- Appointments may be subject to a probation period of three months.
- Appointments may be subject to a satisfactory criminal records check. Please contact the recruiting manager to confirm if this is required for this role.
- DTF employees must comply with occupational health and safety policies and procedures.
- DTF is committed to managing its environmental impact.
- DTF is committed to the safe handling of information. It is a requirement of employment that all staff follow security procedures and policies.
- DTF upholds human rights in its decision-making and actions.
- DTF is an EEO employer committed to fairness, diversity, and respect. As such, DTF will respond to requests for reasonable adjustments from applicants with disabilities.
- The Department strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.