Principal Solicitor

Description:

* Step into a dynamic, delivery-focused environment where your expertise and leadership will support the successful design and implementation by the Department of a variety of policies and projects across Victoria.
* Join a positive, supportive workplace culture in a highly skilled team environment
* Combine your skills managing complex commercial matters in a regulatory setting with the challenge of supporting good government operations and decision-making.
* Location: 2 Lonsdale St, Melbourne/Hybrid
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Principal Solicitor to join a forward-thinking State government legal team that supports the diverse work of the Department by being a responsive, strategic advisory service delivering complex, high-value work.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is looking for a Principal Solicitor to join a skilled in-house legal team, within the Legal and Legislation Division in an ongoing role.
The Principal Solicitor is a senior member of the legal team and provides leadership in the delivery of high quality, accurate and strategic legal advice and litigation support, with a core focus on administrative law, statutory interpretation, and contracts and commercial law.
The Principal Solicitor is required to have experience at a senior level in advising on complex commercial issues in a regulatory setting, ideally in a government context.
About the role:
In this role, you will lead projects, supervise the work of other lawyers, participate in multi-disciplinary project teams and work with the Division's management team to ensure the delivery of accurate, fit for purpose advice and strong organisational risk management.
The role is part of a highly skilled legal team, working closely with the department's eight groups plus Solar Victoria, and Resources Victoria to support the delivery of priority policy initiatives, programs and operations to the Victorian community to optimise success and minimise and mitigate risks for government. A focus for the role is to provide legal advice, and dispute management and litigation support, on commercial, contractual and regulatory issues relating to the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).
About you:
The role is for an experienced lawyer who is looking to join an engaging, dynamic legal practice and to contribute to an inclusive and team-oriented workplace culture that is collaborative, professional and engaged.
If you want to be a part of a high performing, exciting, interesting and busy legal team, we welcome your application.
Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications
* An Australian lawyer holding or eligible to hold an Australian practising certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria).
* Demonstrated ability to perform unsupervised and deliver and supervise the delivery of – in a timely manner and at a level of excellence including when under time pressure – accurate, concise, clear and authoritative legal advice in the core areas of administrative law (including operation of government and an awareness of Constitutional issues) and statutory interpretation, commercial and contract matters, litigation and dispute resolution, and an ability to manage significant and/or high profile litigation. Experience operating at a senior level in two of these areas is mandatory and highly regarded in all.
* Strong experience in either broader general in-house or government legal practice and/or some of the department's areas of specialisation: environmental law, energy law, First Nations self-determination and related frameworks, agriculture, Crown land use and development, natural resource management and fire and emergency management, commissions and inquiries.
This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne with hybrid work arrangements available.
To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.
For further information please refer to the attached position description.
Applications close at midnight on Thursday, 3 April 2025.
Other relevant information:
For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.
Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check.
To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.
A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace
DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.