Senior Solicitor

Our purpose,as the Victorian Government energy safety regulator, is to keep Victorians energy safe and ensure energy is used confidently. Through education, regulation and enforcement, we work to ensure that energy safety, supply and efficiency are a priority in Victoria and something the Victorian public can be confident in. Our people come from a wide range of professions with diverse skills and experience driving the success of Energy Safe Victoria.

About The Opportunity
The Senior Solicitor – Enforcement, reports to the Prosecution Manager. They are responsible for providing timely, practical and considered legal advice to ensure Energy Safe Victoria is well placed to take strong enforcement action and respond to appeals against administrative decisions.

The appointee will work closely with investigators and field staff to support investigations, provide advice in relation to the exercise of powers and enforcement action, conduct prosecutions on behalf of Energy Safe, and manage administrative appeals at VCAT. The appointee will also contribute to Energy Safe's internal review function and assist in subpoena management.

The Prosecution team is a key part of the Legal and Procurement Department, which provides timely, practical, and high-quality legal advice across Energy Safe on general commercial and compliance matters, administrative law, privacy, statutory interpretation and procurement. The Department forms part of the Legal, Governance and Regulatory Policy Division, which supports Energy Safe to deliver its strategies to ensure that energy is safe for all Victorians and our environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and advise on briefs of evidence (BOE) regarding suitability for prosecution or other enforcement action, including working with field staff and investigators to ensure enforcement action is supported by strong, admissible evidence.
• Provide strategic, timely, and expert verbal and written advice on complex issues of statutory interpretation, criminal procedure, common law considerations, administrative decision making, and proposed enforcement action.

• Prepare and conduct prosecutions and other court/tribunal proceedings on Energy Safe's behalf, including:

• preparation, filing and service of briefs of evidence, charges, court applications and/or tribunal documents.

• coordinating court/tribunal appearances and liaison with all relevant stakeholders, including investigator/informant, external agencies, accused/defendant, witnesses, victims and the court/tribunal registries.
• briefing and instructing external legal advisors on behalf of Energy Safe.

• appearing on Energy Safe's behalf in courts and tribunals for prosecutions, civil penalty proceedings, appeals and merits/judicial review applications.

• Undertake, internal reviews in relation to infringement notices and other administrative decisions.

• Advise and assist field staff and investigators to make robust regulatory and enforcement decisions, including issuing of regulatory notices and Directions, following key principles of good administrative decision making.
• Contribute to and support the reform and policy work led out of other Energy Safe Departments including Learning and Development, Regulatory Policy and Legislation Departments.
• Prepare regular reports on the progress and outcomes of current and completed proceedings and review/advise on relevant public facing communications.
• Develop and manage effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including industry representatives, co-regulators and peak bodies, and keep abreast of enforcement matters and trends.
• Ensure activities comply with legal, professional and ethical standards, including model litigant principles.
• Other duties as required.

To Be Successful, You'll Have

• Demonstrated knowledge of criminal law, evidence and procedure.
• Significant prosecution and advocacy experience, including preparing cases, briefing Counsel, conducting case conferences and appearing as an advocate in the Magistrates' Court and/or Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, high-level legal advocacy and negotiation skills, and the ability to prepare reports.
• Demonstrated ability to follow a strategic approach to prosecution, administrative review applications and advice work that is consistent with the Energy Safe's objectives and strategic focus, including resource allocation.
• Ability to work as an effective member of multi-disciplinary enforcement team who can effectively manage a varied and complex workload.
• Self-starter who can work autonomously, without direct supervision.
• Well-developed analytical skills; able to provide authoritative advice on legislation, regulations and other statutory instruments.

• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to:

• liaise and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholder including witnesses, Counsel, members of the public, other prosecuting and investigating authorities, Energy Safe employees and management

• develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of non-legal staff and senior management.

• Experience in conducting internal reviews of infringement notices and administrative decisions.

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Law and admitted to practice as an Australian Lawyer.
• Hold or be eligible to hold a current Practising Certificate in Victoria.
• Demonstrated ability to support the development and delivery of training relating to prosecutions, administrative decisions and enforcement action. (Desired)
• Experience in reviewing and responding to subpoenas and/or other statutory notices. (Desired)
• Experience working with occupational health and safety legislation. (Desired)
• Experience working within the Victorian Government, ideally with regulatory agencies. (Desired)
• Understanding of Victoria's energy safety framework. (Desired)

How To Apply
Please refer to the available position description to assess your suitability and submit your current resume and cover letter via the
Apply
button. Applications will not be accepted via email.

Energy Safe will conduct relevant checks about applicants and the information provided with an application including reference checks and a satisfactory National Police Check.

Energy Safe Victoria values the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our organisation and welcomes and celebrates diversity. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community that we are here to protect. We invite you to talk to us about any preferences or adjustments you may value or require to either the recruitment process or the role itself. If you identify as a person with disability, please let us know how we can provide additional support.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Human Resources via

Applications close at midnight 10 October 2025. This advertisement may close prior to the closure date
without notice, if a high volume of applications is received, therefore we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.