Principal Solicitor

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $138,631 - $185,518

Grade: Psol

Occupation: Legal

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 326

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 across a range of diverse core-in house subject areas, including administrative law, statutory interpretation, litigation and regulatory compliance, with a focus on earth resources.

The position requires an agile professional committed to performing at the highest level with demonstrated initiative, a willingness to take on new challenges, and a proven ability to provide clear, accurate and timely advice, ideally in a government context.

About the role:

In this role, you will lead projects (including legal support for major 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 and regulatory advice relating to earth resources.

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. In your application, please include your CV and a short statement addressing the Key Selection Criteria.

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), regulatory approvals and investigations, statutory interpretation, , 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.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:

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Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday, 07 September 2025.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History 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.

Applications close Sunday 7 September 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

22 August 2025