Multiple Legal Officer Roles

Job Description

Opportunities for lawyers with the Department of Premier and Cabinet

You. At the centre of big ideas.

• Multiple roles available to join a collaborative and dynamic legal team at the centre of Government
• Make an impact working on the big challenges facing NSW now and into the future
• Attractive remuneration packages with flexible working arrangements
• Ongoing and temporary opportunities available

Why join us?

Our work is fast-paced and high-profile.

We provide timely, authoritative and expert advice to the NSW Premier, Ministers and senior members of the Department on a broad range of legal, legislative and policy issues.

Our work is high impact.

We are an award-winning in-house legal team that works from the centre of government with a strategic approach to supporting the priorities of the government of the day.

Our work is diverse.

We work closely with other expert legal functions in the NSW Government on a range of matters. This includes working with the Crown Solicitor’s Office on advisory and litigation matters, and the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office on the preparation of legislation and drafting of subordinate legislation.

Us. About the roles

We have exciting opportunities for lawyers to join our team at the following levels:

·         Principal Legal Officer – salary of $148,885 to $152,021, plus employer contributions to superannuation and annual leave loading

·         Senior Legal Officer – salary of $138,596 to $141,313, plus employer contributions to superannuation and annual leave loading

·         Legal Officer – salary of $112,849 to $120,693, plus employer contributions to superannuation and annual leave loading.

In addition to the base salary ranges above, the successful candidates will also be entitled to employer contributions to superannuation (with the capacity to salary sacrifice additional superannuation contributions), four weeks of annual leave loading and ‘flex leave’ in accordance with current Departmental policies. Additional benefits such as corporate gym membership (Fitness Passport) and free flu vaccinations are also available.

Roles will be allocated across the Branch’s four teams that reflect the Department’s responsibilities and priorities:

·         Constitutional and electoral law

·         Integrity, accountability and oversight

·         Inquiries, administrative law and contracts

·         Information and privacy law.

You will contribute to your team and the wider Branch on a day-to-day basis by:

·         Providing pragmatic and expert legal advice to staff of the Department on diverse areas of law

·         Contributing to whole-of-government policy development, including evaluating and advising on matters to be considered by the NSW Cabinet

·         Formulating, evaluating and responding to complex proposals for legislative reform

·         Engaging with key stakeholders across the executive government, independent statutory authorities and the NSW Parliament

·         Managing the conduct of certain litigation matters involving the State

·         Making statutory decisions under delegation

·         Delivering complex legal projects in line with the Department’s priorities.

You. Our ideal candidate

·         Will have legal qualifications and be admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of NSW (or be eligible for admission).

·         Will have experience in one or more relevant areas of law, as well as strong generalist legal skills.

·         Can demonstrate the ability to exercise sound professional judgement on diverse legal, legislative and related policy issues.

·         Can demonstrate a track record of effectively and ethically managing inputs from a range of stakeholders in formulating strategic legal and policy solutions.

·         Will have well developed organisational skills and a demonstrated ability to work in a high pressure, high volume environment with tight deadlines.

·         Will have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to provide accurate, clear and comprehensive advice in short time frames.

If this sounds like you, and you are ready to contribute to driving big ideas at the heart of government, then we look forward to receiving your application or discussing the role further.

How to Apply

Your application should include an up-to-date resume which clearly details your relevant skills and experience (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter addressing the key accountabilities of the role you are applying for (maximum 2 pages).

The selection process may include a range of assessment techniques to assist hiring managers in determining your suitability for the role.

Candidates can request a reasonable adjustment throughout each step of the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable adjustment to the recruitment process, please note this in your application.

A recruitment pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles for this role or similar roles that may become available over the next 18 months.

Closing date: Sunday, 16 October 2022

Learn more

For enquiries, please contact Russell Schmidt, Director 9228 3400 or [email protected].

If you run into any technical difficulties with your online application, contact I Work for NSW Support at [email protected] or 1800 562 679.

Why work for DPC?

Our purpose is to drive big ideas at the heart of government.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet is the lead central agency in the NSW Government.

We support the Premier, the Cabinet, Ministers and agencies by coordinating policies and services across government. We also lead policy development, provide innovative ideas and support Government plans and projects.

Our people undertake challenging, innovative and rewarding work, across metropolitan and regional locations, to deliver better outcomes for the communities of NSW. In achieving this, we are guided by our core values of integrity, trust, service and accountability. We also provide our people with opportunities to learn, develop and adapt within an inclusive and supportive environment.

We endeavour to make all our roles flexible and encourage conversations on flexibility on an “if not, why not” basis, including work location. While this role is advertised as full-time, we will consider requests to undertake the work flexibly.

To learn more about the Department please visit https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/about-us/about-the-department/.

Our Commitment

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders past, present and future. We recognise and learn from the strengths of First Nations peoples of New South Wales and their continuing connection to, and unique cultural and spiritual relationship with, Country.

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTI+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans and those living in regional locations.