Senior Legal Officer

RSPCA NSW

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals New South Wales (RSPCA NSW) is a not-for-profit animal welfare organisation that protects and cares for animals across NSW. As an integral part of its activities, RSPCA NSW has performed a statutory role in enforcing animal cruelty legislation in NSW since 1928. The organisation’s law enforcement and prosecution functions work together with its education, advocacy and support efforts, empowering communities to value the humane treatment of animals.

Role  

The Senior Legal Officer position has been developed to support the RSPCA NSW legal practice. This position is responsible for conducting criminal prosecutions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) (POCTAA) and its regulations, and providing legal support to the RSPCA NSW Inspectorate.
  
This role is an exciting opportunity for a senior solicitor with strong advocacy experience in criminal law, and ideally prosecutorial experience, which will see you working as part of a small, tight knit, and collaborative legal team. Reporting to the Managing Lawyer, Prosecutions, the Senior Legal Officer is responsible for, but not limited to, the following key accountabilities:

• Review prosecution briefs prepared by the Inspectorate.
• Appear in NSW Local and District Courts, including regional courts, as an advocate in connection with RSPCA NSW prosecutions and applications.
• Assist with complex investigations and prosecution brief preparation by the Inspectorate, including the preparation of expert evidence.
• Conference and prepare witnesses for hearing.
• Liaise with and instruct police prosecutors, external solicitors, and barristers to appear in court on behalf of RSPCA NSW when required.
• Negotiate with defendants and defence representatives including solicitors and barristers.
• Prepare applications for court orders, affidavits, letters and other legal documents.
• Settle investigation related information requests, search warrant applications, and other documents.
• Keep records of completed RSPCA NSW prosecutions and archive prosecution briefs.
• Provide staff training in relation to POCTAA and prosecution brief preparation.
• Undertake other duties as directed by the Managing Lawyer, Prosecutions.
• Comply with all RSPCA NSW policies and procedures, as implemented, varied or replaced from time to time.
• Demonstrate personal leadership in the implementation of RSPCA NSW’s Work Health & Safety (WHS) management system, facilitate its effectiveness by ensuring adequate resources are available, and that all employees are aware of their WHS obligations, and that one’s personal behaviour model’s the organisation’s commitment to WHS.

Benefits

• A company car and fuel card as part of the salary package.
• Flexible working arrangements and a broad range of leave entitlements.
• Access to a range of mental health and wellbeing support initiatives, including confidential counselling services and education programs.
• Generous discount on products and services, including pet food, retail items, and veterinary services.

What you’ll bring

The values of RSPCA NSW will resonate with you. You will be a pragmatic and capable litigator with at least 5 years’ PAE, who is excited by the opportunity to assist this well-known and well-loved NFP organisation.
  
To register your interest in this rare senior in-house role please send your CV in strictest confidence to [email protected].
  
Alternatively contact Kirsty McNay on 0426 834 852 for a confidential discussion.

Please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted.