Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $113,022 - $136,747
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/PES/1886433
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
The purpose of this role is to strategically advise on and co-ordinate litigated and non-litigated negligence claims against the department. The Senior Lawyer – Negligence Litigation will have strong legal skills and a keen interest in managing requests for advice and litigation brought against the department with the assistance and supervision of the Principal Lawyer and Managers. The role will provide high quality, timely and practical legal advice on complex, high risk or sensitive matters, to a range of departmental clients (including Ministers, the Secretary, executives, regional directors, managers, school principals and school councils) often within short timeframes.
The role requires a strategic, decisive and experienced litigation lawyer with a sensitive and compassionate approach given the nature of the claims and reputational risks for the department.
Why join us?
How to Apply
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages).
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, dis ability 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.
For a confidential discussion regarding the role, please contact Samantha Burris 03 7022 2485, or Sabrine Daniels, 03 7008 8275, Principal Lawyer and Managers, Legal Division.
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 Monday 6 October, 2025.