Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $138,631 - $185,518
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/1902863
About us
The Department of Education (the department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.
The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian government school students.
About the role – ongoing, full-time
A rare opportunity has arisen to work as a Principal Lawyer and co-Manager of the Negligence, Litigation and Redress (NLR) unit in the Workplace and Education Law branch of the Department of Education's Legal Division.
The NLR unit manages all litigated and non-litigated negligence claims brought against the department, including personal injury and property damage claims, bullying and sexual abuse claims. In addition, this unit is responsible for managing the department's responses to requests for information about applications for Redress.
The primary responsibility of this role is to work with and support the management of the Legal Division and Workplace and Education Law branch in litigation managed by the NLR unit in accordance with the department's values and objectives.
The role requires a strategic and highly experienced litigation lawyer with a sensitive and compassionate approach given the nature of the claims and reputational risks for the department. The sucessful candidiate will also have excellent leadership, communication, project management and stakeholder management skills.
Why join us?
How to apply
Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter sum marising their skills and experience (no more than two pages).
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description. For a confidential discission please phone Erica Capuzza (03 7022 0931), Director, Workplace and Education Law branch.
Visit http://www.careers.vic.gov.au/vacancies/tips-for-applying for guidelines and tips for applying for government positions.
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026.