Job Description
Lead with purpose. Make decisions that protect Queensland's children and vulnerable people.
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Are you an experienced legal or regulatory professional with a passion for leadership, sound decision-making, and public service? Do you thrive in complex assessment environments where your expertise can make a real difference?
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Blue Card Services is seeking a highly capable Principal Legal / Assessment Officer to lead a team responsible for assessing eligibility and risk matters under Queensland's worker screening framework. This is a unique opportunity to combine your legal knowledge, leadership capability and commitment to public safety in a role that directly contributes to protecting children and vulnerable people across Queensland.
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About The Role
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As the Principal Legal / Assessment Officer, you will provide operational leadership to a team of professional assessment officers while delivering expert legal, policy and procedural advice on matters arising under the Working with Children Check Act ****. You will oversee complex assessments, guide critical decision-making, and ensure recommendations are evidence-based, legally defensible and consistent with the principles of natural justice. Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, you will play a key role in maintaining the integrity, consistency and effectiveness of Queensland's blue card screening system.
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Key Responsibilities
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In this role, you will:
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Lead, supervise and mentor a team of assessment professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
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Review assessments and recommendations to ensure compliance with legislation, policy, delegated authority and natural justice principles.
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Provide expert legal, procedural and strategic advice on complex eligibility and regulatory matters.
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Allocate, monitor and manage workloads to ensure timely and high-quality outcomes.
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Support and coach assessment officers, helping them navigate complex legislative and evidentiary issues.
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Manage escalated enquiries and sensitive stakeholder interactions with professionalism and sound judgement.
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Prepare and review correspondence relating to blue card assessments and regulatory decisions.
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Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and service delivery practices.
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Promote staff wellbeing, professional development and a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
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About You
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You are an accomplished leader with strong legal, regulatory or assessment experience and a demonstrated ability to manage complex decision-making processes.
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You Will Bring
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Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
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Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex legal or technical information, including police and criminal history information.
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Sound judgement and the ability to make balanced, evidence-based decisions.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a quick-paced environment.
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A commitment to integrity, fairness and protecting the interests of children and vulnerable people.
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The ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
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What Success Looks Like
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The successful candidate will:
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Deliver consistent, legally sound and high-quality assessment outcomes.
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Support and develop employees to achieve individual and team goals.
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Drive operational excellence while maintaining a strong focus on risk management and public safety.
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Champion a culture of respect, inclusion, ethical conduct and continuous improvement.
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Why Join Us?
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This is more than a leadership role. It is an opportunity to contribute to a service that helps safeguard Queensland communities every day.
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Applications to remain current for 12 months.

📌 Principal Legal Officer (Queensland)
🏢 Department of Justice QLD
📍 Queensland