The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an independent statutory office established to protect the rights and interests of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, and children and young people in the child protection system and other visitable sites. Join us as we protect, support, advocate, educate and empower, to build a Queensland where our most vulnerable community members can live with dignity. Please visit the OPG website to learn more.

• Permanent flexible full-time
• Identified position
• Cairns or Townsville region

about the role

The Senior Guardian conducts structured personal decision making and advocacy for adults with impaired capacity where the Public Guardian has been appointed, or is the nominated attorney, for personal matters including legal matters. Senior Guardians ensure a client’s rights, interests, views, wishes and preferences are elevated and centred in all decision making and advocacy activities.

This role is designated as Identified. Under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), it is a genuine occupational requirement for the incumbent to be an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

An Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person is one who identifies as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person and either:

• Is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; or
• Is accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community in which they live.

Applicants to this role may have to provide confirmation of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage. Requesting proof of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage from applicants helps to make sure that this intention is honoured. This may include a signed statutory declaration by the person as outlined in this Evidence of Attribute – Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identified Roles.

key responsibilities

• Undertake structured decision making for legal matters, adhering to organisational policies, practice directions and organisational and legislative frameworks. Legal matters may be in areas of law such as criminal law; mental health; child protection; domestic and family violence, family law, and immigration.
• Ensuring all client-related documentation and guardianship activities are appropriately recorded, accurate and up-to-date, including Guardianship reports, decision reports, visit reports, decisions and file running notes.
• Provide advice, information and support to the Public Guardian and their delegates, regarding guardianship practices as they relate to appointments for legal matters.
• Liaise with and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders including community groups, government departments and other agencies involved in providing services to adults with impaired decision-making capacity.
• Participate in community education/ liaison activities as a representative of the Public Guardian including undertaking public speaking engagements.

mandatory role conditions

Possession of a C class driver’s licence is a mandatory requirement for this role, as travel is required to attend meetings, events and visits in a range of locations that are often not accessible by alternative means.

A position description is attached.