Company description:

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. For more information about the Department of Education, please visit http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/

Job description:

• Ongoing full-time employment opportunity in a vibrant and supportive team
• Based in Parramatta CBD with flexible working arrangements available
• Remuneration of $144,058 - $157,430 plus super & leave loading

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners - from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

About the Legal Services Directorate

The Legal Services Directorate supports schools and corporate officers to navigate the law to put students at the centre of decision-making. Our high performing Directorate works collaboratively across the department to deliver critical legal advice and representation. We are a trusted and credible partner, delivering excellent service and promoting community confidence in public education. Our legal support builds organisational capabilities so that every student, every teacher, every leader and every school can improve, every year.

About the team

The liability team is a dynamic team of lawyers guiding the department through complex civil litigation matters while working with a range of stakeholders. The team provides advice to schools and business units, negotiates with defendants and claimant solicitors, provides representation in tribunal matters, court hearings and mediations, and prepares a wide range of legal documents. The team enjoys a balance of in-house client advice and assistance and instructing external legal service providers.

Through the provision of strategic legal advice and services, the Liability team supports the department to deliver the Plan for NSW Public Education.

About the role

The Senior Legal Officer provides timely high-level legal advice on liability matters, represents the department at mediations and litigated hearings and manages complex legal issues to ensure the provision of efficient and effective legal services. The role assists management in the professional supervision of staff, including coordinating the allocation of resources and workloads, monitoring business and staff performance, and providing review, instruction and direction to enhance and motivate staff to create a cohesive and high performing team.

About you

You will have a talent for managing people and an enthusiasm for public education, and you will hold a current NSW practising certificate, with at least 3 years' post qualification experience (whether in-house or private firm) in:

• Conducting litigations, arranging representations before courts and tribunals, committees, advisory bodies and working parties to ensure optimum outcomes in the resolution of legal matters for clients and the department.
• Drafting and reviewing complex legal documents including pleadings, advices, submissions, court process, orders, briefing notes, internal policies and procedures, and instructions to external legal advisors to support the department's operations.

You will model the highest standards of integrity and most importantly, be passionate about education and making a contribution to the future of NSW.

You are a highly experienced solicitor who:

• can manage yourself, showing drive and motivation, with an ability to self-reflect and commit to learning,
• communicates effectively and clearly, actively listening to others and responding with understanding and respect
• works collaboratively with others, valuing the contribution of non-lawyers,
• delivers results, through the efficient use of resources and a commitment to quality outcomes
• can provide practical and holistic solutions, especially by thinking laterally and considering the broader context
• can manage and develop people, especially by valuing staff's contribution, developing capability and supporting career development
• optimises business outcomes by managing people and resources effectively, to achieve public value especially by using technologies to maximise efficiencies and effectiveness.

For further information please view the role description.

Essential requirements and key experience and knowledge

• Experience in managing junior solicitors and paralegal staff.
• Knowledge and experience in dealing with civil litigation and liability claims or another relevant practice area.
• Current unrestricted NSW practising certificate (or ability to apply for an unrestricted practising certificate)
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Benefits

With nearly 100,000 people working all over NSW, the Department of Education isn't like any other workplace. You can customise your career track and experience benefits including:

• the opportunity to make a real difference, doing important work in a varied, rewarding career in which you can make the most of your legal expertise across a variety of disciplines
• flexible working conditions, with a 35-hour week and generous leave entitlements that give you unrivalled work-life balance
• a dynamic workplace in an organisation committed to diversity and inclusion
• opportunities for advancement beyond the initial job description, with scope to move sideways as well as up and receive the professional support you need to discover new talents and interests

Interested?

If you are interested in joining the team, we want to hear from you! Please send your resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application. If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now'.

Closing date: Thurs 4th Sept 2025 at 11:59pm

Contact: For role enquiries please contact Vera Temelkovska, Principal Legal Officer, [email protected].

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide a Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number and complete a National Criminal Record Check. Visit the website for more information.

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ([email protected]) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.