Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time or part-time
Salary: $138,631 - $185,518
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/50964782/288
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Principal Solicitor to join a multidisciplinary legal and legislation project team tasked with delivering the forestry regulatory reform program and related future forest management and forestry industry transition workstreams.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is looking for a Principal Solicitor to join a skilled in-house multidisciplinary legal and legislation project team, within the Legal and Legislation Division fixed term to 31 March 2026.
The Principal Solicitor is a senior member of the Forestry Legal Project team in the Forestry and Compliance Branch and provides leadership in the delivery of high quality, accurate and strategic advice on legal and legislation-related issues with a core focus on administrative law and statutory interpretation, commercial and contracts law, dispute resolution and litigation and Freedom of Information (FOI), Privacy and Parliamentary Orders for Documents.
The Principal Solicitor is required to have experience at a senior level in at least two of the core areas, ideally in a government context and must hold or be eligible to hold an Australian practising certificate.
About the role:
In this role, you will lead projects, self-manage and supervise the work of junior lawyers as required, participate in multi-disciplinary project teams and provide authoritative advice to senior management and staff on a diverse range of legal and legislation-related issues with a focus on leveraging the division's deep understanding of the department's legal and legislative frameworks to provide relevant, risk-based and solutions-focused advice.
The role is part of a highly skilled legal team, working closely with the department's business areas and key stakeholders to support the delivery of priority policy initiatives, programs and operations for the Victorian community to optimise success and minimise and mitigate risks for government.
About you:
The role is for an experienced lawyer who is looking to join an engaging, dynamic multidisciplinary legal and legislation 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 and legislation project team, we welcome your application.
Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications
This is a fixed term position available until 31 March 2026. The work location for this position is 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne with hybrid work arrangements available.
To be cons idered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience to [email protected].
For further information please refer to the attached position description.
Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 02 July 2025.
Other relevant information:
Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police 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.