Solicitor - LO 4 - Commercial and Property - DCJ Legal

Solicitor - LO 4 - Commercial and Property - DCJ Legal

Join to apply for the Solicitor - LO 4 - Commercial and Property - DCJ Legal role at NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

Overview

As a solicitor in the Employment, WHS and Workplace Relations team within the Commercial and Property (C&P) team in DCJ Legal, this role provides high-level legal and policy advice and litigation services in a dynamic team committed to protecting communities and supporting DCJ's essential functions. You will help shape legal strategy and policy.

Your role

The Solicitor Grade IV reports to one of the team's Principal Solicitors and is responsible for supervision and mentoring of a team that includes a Grade I-III solicitor and paralegals. You will independently manage a high-volume legal workload, develop and ensure compliance with policies and procedures, and contribute to policy and legislation development. You will build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

The role involves acting on behalf of DCJ in relation to a broad range of employment, WHS, and commercial matters, including:

• Providing high level legal services and advice to clients, senior management, and staff in accordance with legislation, policy, guidelines and practice standards.
• Interpreting, analysing, editing, and preparing legal documents including correspondence, industrial awards, commercial agreements and contracts, settlement documentation, legislation, protocols and policies, reports, submissions, and briefing notes.
• Managing all matters, including sensitive and confidential matters, within established standards, procedures, policies, and delegations.
• Providing high-level advice and recommendations on the development and implementation of legal standards and practices, strategies, systems, procedures, and processes for the Department.
• Working collaboratively with legal staff internal and external to the Department and stakeholders to consult on proposed policies, legislation, legislative changes and legislative interpretation, and related issues.
• Conducting litigation before Courts and/or Tribunals as the Department's representative and responding to requests for information.
• Investigating claims against DCJ to inform the provision of advice.
• Delivering legal education and training programs to internal and external stakeholders on employment and safety issues.

What you'll do

• Provide high quality legal services and advice to clients, senior management and staff in line with legislation and policy.
• Prepare and edit legal documents including correspondence, contracts, settlements, legislation, reports and briefing notes.
• Manage matters with appropriate standards, policies and delegations.
• Advise on development and implementation of legal standards and practices, and contribute to policy and legislation development.
• Collaborate with internal/external legal teams and stakeholders on policy and legislative matters.
• Conduct litigation before Courts/Tribunals as the Department's representative.
• Investigate claims to inform advice; deliver legal education and training as appropriate.

Essential requirements

• Law Degree
• Admission as a legal practitioner in an Australian jurisdiction entitling practice as a Government Legal Practitioner in NSW
• Paid Working with Children Check

Additional qualifications and capabilities

• Ability to provide clear, accurate, and timely legal advice aligned with legislation and policy
• Experience in employment and workplace health and safety law and familiarity with regulators and related legislation
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff to deliver high-quality outcomes
• Experience providing litigation and advisory services to a broad client base, and experience drafting legal documents
• Ability to manage competing priorities with high professional standards and attention to detail
• Strong communication skills to explain legal concepts to varied audiences

Other checks and clearances

• Appointments may require reference checks
• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

What we offer and how to apply

Principal location – Parramatta (Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated, subject to the Flexible Working Policy).

Employment type – Temporary (12 Months) – Full time (35 hours per week)

Salary – Legal Officer – Grade 4, Base Salary ($144,058 – $146,831), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

Applications close: Sunday, 21 September 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

To apply: Visit the DCJ Careers site and click Apply now. Include a cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and an up-to-date résumé (max 5 pages).

Contact for more information

Hiring manager: Sarah Armstrong at sarah.armstrong@dcj.nsw.gov.au. For recruitment adjustments or alternate submission methods, contact Lois Jebin at lois.jebin@dcj.nsw.gov.au. Visit DCJ Recruitment adjustments for more information.

Inclusion and diversity

We are committed to inclusion and diversity and hire people with a wide range of backgrounds, including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, LGBTIQ+ communities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

Other information

A talent pool may be created for future roles and will be valid for up to 18 months. See the DCJ website for more information.

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