Special Counsel

Defence Housing Australia is seeking a dynamic and experienced Special Counsel to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in providing high-level legal advice and support to our organisation. The role focuses on delivering legal services in environment, planning and heritage law, construction law, and real property law. If you are passionate about making a difference and contributing to the success of Defence Housing Australia, we would love to hear from you.

Position: Special Counsel
Level: EL2
Salary Range: $152,378 to $187,494 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
Location: Head Office - Gungahlin, Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney

About us
DHA was established in 1988 following passage of the Defence Housing Australia Act 1987 (DHA Act) to provide adequate and suitable housing for, and housing related services to, members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families. We remain committed to our purpose of providing housing, and housing related services, to ADF members and their families to support Defence’s operational needs.

About the role
Formally within the Legal Services team, Special Counsel will be embedded in the Development and Construction team and work collaboratively with the General Manager Development and Construction, and broader team to provide expert legal advice and support to the Chief General Counsel, the General Manager Development and Construction and key internal DHA stakeholders on strategic and legal matters related to DHA’s provisioning, development, and construction activities, across Australian jurisdictions. The role focuses on delivering legal services in:

• Environment, Planning and Heritage Law: covering Commonwealth and State environmental assessment processes, biodiversity impacts and offsets, land access, pollution, contamination, waste and water law, cultural heritage, climate change, and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations.
• Construction Law: advising on construction contracts, risk management, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance.
• Real Property Law: supporting land acquisition and disposal processes.

Benefits for working at DHA include:

• 15.4% superannuation
• Generous leave entitlements, including 18 days personal leave and 20 days annual leave per year
• Work-life balance and flexible working options
• A positive workplace culture where you can bring your whole self to work
• Opportunities to broaden your industry knowledge and experience
• Career progression and opportunities
• ADF partner employment conditions when posting to a new location

Note: All successful applicants are required to be eligible to complete a Baseline Vetting security clearance for consideration of the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).

How to apply
Apply now via our online careers site with your current resume and a 500-word one page pitch, addressing the requirements of the role. We recommend you read the Australian Public Service Commission’s Cracking the Code guidance on how to write your response. Additionally, you should consider the expected behaviours described in the Australian Public Service Commission’s Integrated Leadership System at this role’s level.

Inclusion and Diversity
DHA is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from across our community including, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ+, ex-defence members, mature aged employees and carers.

Employment with DHA is conditional on successful applicants demonstrating that they are an Australian citizen and can obtain and maintain a security clearance at the required level.