Company description:

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Job description:

The Principal Solicitor, Legislation (or Principal Legislation Officer), works as part of a highly skilled legal team in the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), working closely with the department's eight groups, Resources Victoria and Solar Victoria to support the delivery of priority policy initiatives, programs and operations to the Victorian community in a way that both optimises success and minimises and mitigates risks for government.

A focus for the role is to provide legal and legislation services relating to the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program, the review of that program, and the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Act 2007 and regulations/instruments under that Act.

The Principal Solicitor, Legislation, reports to the Managing Principal Solicitor, Legislation, and is responsible for the development and delivery of a range of legislation projects across the department working with a team of legislation staff who operate in partnership with policy areas to develop quality, fit for purpose legislation to deliver government's policy agendas as part of one Legal and Legislation Division. The role plays a lead role in contributing to the success of DEECA through providing authoritative advice to senior management and staff on a diverse range of legislation related, legal and legal policy issues with a focus on collaboration and service excellence, including capacity for providing authoritative legal advice such as on statutory interpretation, legislative reform and legal instruments.

The candidate for this position will need to be an experienced leader and strategic thinker who is highly organised with excellent project management, conceptual and analytical skills, technical knowledge of legislative frameworks, problem solving skills and a proven ability to build strong relationships and partnerships.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A law degree
• An Australian lawyer holding or eligible to hold an Australian practising certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria) will be considered favourably but is not essential.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in developing and delivering legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in providing legal advice on any of the following areas of law would be highly regarded but is not essential: administrative law, agriculture, climate action, emergency management, energy and resources, environment, public land, and water.
• Demonstrated experience in providing legal advice on energy and climate programs and regulation or tradeable financial instruments would be highly regarded but is not essential.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of 18 months. 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, 29 June 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.