Legal Officer

Legal Officer 3/4

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Ongoing Full-Time
• Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process to fill anticipated vacancies over the next 18 months

About Professional and Ethical Standards Directorate

Professional and Ethical Standards (PES) is comprised of Investigations teams, Employee Performance, Feedback and Complaints, PES Legal, Support Services, and Strategic Initiatives and Projects. The role of PES is to respond effectively to employee misconduct, underperformance matters, and ensuring sound systems to manage community and staff complaints. PES does this by: undertaking investigations of child protection allegations, serious wrongdoing and general misconduct while also fulfilling the department's statutory responsibilities for managing investigations and reporting to external agencies; oversighting performance improvement programs for Department employees and assisting Department leaders to effectively manage underperformance; leading and positively influencing complaint practices, building capacity, and assisting schools to foster productive relationships with families.

About the role

• Provide high-quality legal advice on child protection, misconduct and employment law matters
• Represent the Department in tribunals and courts, including conducting litigation and advocacy work
• Draft legal documents and deliver clear, practical guidance to support decision-making

For further information please click here to view the role description.

About you

• Current knowledge of and experience in employment law
• Proven ability to provide accurate, clear and comprehensive advice and prepare legal documents in short timeframes and practically apply legal principles in an operational setting
• Knowledge of and commitment to ethical work practices
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Tertiary qualifications in law, admission as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of NSW and eligibility for a practising certificate from the NSW Law Society.
• Working with Children Check for paid employment
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive salary, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role and answers the following questions:

1. 
   
2. In 300 words or less, provide an example of a complex legal problem you were required to advise on. What did you do well? What would you have done differently?

1. 
   
2. In 300 words or less, provide an example that demonstrates your ability to provide high quality and client focused legal advice and representation in the area of employment law.

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa. 

Closing date Sunday, 19th October at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Mellissa Buchanan at and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Elaine Ordell at

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.