Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Solicitor

Commercial and Property (Employment, Workplace Relations and WHS)

DCJ Legal

• Principal location - Parramatta - Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated, subject to the Flexible Working Policy.
• Employment type - Temporary (12 Months) - Full time (35 hours per week)
• Salary - Legal Officer - Grade 4, Base Salary ($144,058 - $146,831), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

As a solicitor in the Employment, WHS and Workplace Relations team within the Commercial and Property (C&P) team in DCJ Legal, this role presents a unique opportunity to provide high-level legal and policy advice and litigation services in a dynamic team committed to protecting communities and supporting DCJ's ability to perform its essential functions. You will help shape legal strategy and policy.

What you'll do

The Solicitor Grade IV reports to one of the team's Principal Solicitors and is responsible for providing supervision and mentoring to a team comprised of a Grade I-III solicitor and paralegals. Each solicitor on the team is responsible for the independent management of a high-volume legal workload, developing and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures, and for providing input as necessary to the development of policy and legislation. You will also work to build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

The role involves acting on behalf of DCJ in relation to a broad range of employment, WHS, and commercial matters, including:

• Providing high level legal services and advice to clients, senior management, and staff in accordance with legislation, policy, guidelines and practice standards.
• Interpreting, analysing, editing, and preparing legal documents including correspondence, industrial awards, commercial agreements and contracts, settlement documentation, legislation, protocols and policies, reports, submissions, and briefing notes.
• Managing all matters, including sensitive and confidential matters, within established standards, procedures, policies, and delegations.
• Providing high-level advice and recommendations on the development and implementation of legal standards and practices, strategies, systems, procedures, and processes for the Department.
• Working collaboratively with legal staff internal and external to the Department and stakeholders to consult on proposed policies, legislation, legislative changes and legislative interpretation, and the issues arising from such matters.
• Conducting litigation before Courts and/or Tribunals as the Department's representative and responding to formal and informal requests for information.
• Investigating claims against DCJ, to facilitate the provision of advice.
• Delivering legal education and training programs to internal and external stakeholders and clients on employment and safety issues.

What we're looking for

Essential Requirements

• Law Degree
• Admission as a legal practitioner in an Australian jurisdiction, entitling practice as a Government Legal Practitioner in NSW
• Paid Working with Children Check

In addition to the essential requirements, the successful candidate must have:

• A demonstrated ability to provide clear, accurate and timely legal advice that accords with legislation and policy
• Experience in employment and workplace health and safety law and familiarity with regulators and associated legislation
• Proven ability in the supervision and mentoring of junior staff, to guide them to deliver high-quality outcomes
• Experience providing litigation and advisory services to a wide range of clients, and experience drafting legal documents
• Capacity to manage competing priorities while maintaining high professional standards and attention to detail; and
• Strong communication skills to clearly explain legal concepts to a wide variety of audiences.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014;
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and values of Service, Trust, Accountability, Integrity and Respect. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now' button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close: Sunday, 21 September 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Sarah Armstrong at [email protected]

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at [email protected]

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW' page.