Company description:

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Job description:

Prosecution Officer (Lawyer) Level 2

Temporary, for a period of up to 12 months

$166,421. Package includes salary ($125,720 - $146,831 p.a.), employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

About us

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is the independent prosecuting authority responsible for the prosecution of all serious indictable offences committed against the laws of New South Wales.

Lismore is on the lands of the Bundjalung, Rumbaing, Ngarabal and Kamilaroi People. The ODPP Lismore office seeks solicitors from a litigation background with advocacy experience and knowledge of criminal practice and procedure. You will join a collaborative and collegiate environment of approximately 50 staff including Crown Chambers, Managing Solicitors, Solicitors, Legal Clerks, the Legal Support team and the Witness Assistance Support team.

The Courts we service.

Lismore District Court sits as a full-time court with feeder courts including Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby.

Grafton District Court has feeder courts including Grafton and Maclean.

Coffs Harbour District Court has feeder courts including Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Macksville.

Armidale District Court has feeder courts including Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield and Warialda.

The Role

Take on meaningful, impactful work that makes a difference in your community. As an ODPP solicitor you will manage a large and varied criminal law practice and be responsible for:

Assessing the evidence and recommending appropriate charges.

Attending case conferences and negotiating early guilty pleas where appropriate.

Conducting lists, hearings, and other complex advocacy work in the Local, Children's and District Courts.

Instructing Crown Prosecutors and other prosecutors in trials and sentences in the District Court and Supreme Courts.

Providing advice to and on behalf of the Director.

The ODPP is committed to developing regional talent. Regional roles offer the successful candidate a rewarding and vibrant career in a busy regional hub, providing opportunities to manage a diverse practice with ongoing development opportunities.

Flexible working arrangements are available in all offices. In addition, a hybrid work model may be available for experienced staff involving an opportunity to work remotely from a place of residence in a nearby regional town with a District Court serviced by a regional ODPP office. Regular attendances in that regional office will still be required, with the specific arrangements being subject to negotiation prior to any offer.

Relocation assistance may be considered upon application.

This is a general recruitment, and a talent pool will be created to fill ongoing and temporary vacancies within our Lismore office which may arise over the next 18 months.

About you

You will have a degree or diploma in law and admission as an Australian legal practitioner.

You will have obtained a Practising Certificate issued by the Law Society of NSW prior to commencing.

You will have experience in criminal law, including advocacy experience.

You will be able to actively listen, explain complex concepts and arguments to individuals and groups, tailor communication to various audiences, and write fluently in a range of styles and formats.

You will have sound decision making skills, the ability to problem solve, manage your time, project manage and keep organised.

You will need to have a current driver's licence.

Why choose the ODPP

As the prosecuting authority of NSW, the ODPP offers unique career opportunities.

You will:

Benefit from flexible work arrangements, including a 35-hour work week, flex leave, and hybrid working options.

Access a travel allowance to support your work-related journeys.

Enjoy excellent working conditions with a strong focus on staff wellbeing, health, and safety—including 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, a wellbeing check program, special fitness passport rates, and workplace adjustments as needed.

Take advantage of comprehensive training and development opportunities, including a thorough induction, on-the-job training, and ongoing mentoring.

Join one or more of our five affinity groups—First Nations, Disability and Neurodiversity, People of Diverse Genders and Sexualities, Women, and Cultural and Linguistic Diversity—which foster inclusion, social connection, support, advocacy, and a platform to share experiences.

Interviews

The interview process will include capability-based assessments which may require your time and presence on more than one day.

How to Apply

Please read the Role Description and address the key accountabilities and focus capabilities when preparing your resume [maximum three pages] and cover letter [maximum two pages]. You are required to demonstrate your suitability and claim for the role by addressing the following two targeted questions within the body of your cover letter:

Q1 - Outline your experience in managing a busy litigation practice that included criminal matters or your experience in providing high level legal advice within strict timeframes.

Q2 - Outline your experience in advocacy, preparing written legal work and conducting plea or other negotiations; and describe how you demonstrate excellent communication skills in these aspects of your work.

Please apply via jobs.odpp.nsw.gov.au, reference number 1403.

When completing the online application form, you will be asked to provide the contact details of two relevant referees (who can speak from a Supervisory perspective), and consent to a Criminal History Record Check.

Closing date: Sunday 2nd November, 11:59pm

Please note that a talent pool will be created to fill ongoing and temporary vacancies within the Lismore office which may arise over the next 18 months.

Further Information:

Learn more about the ODPP here: About us | ODPP (nsw.gov.au) |Code of Conduct

To learn more about First Nations People and the ODPP: First Nations People and the ODPP | ODPP (nsw.gov.au).

Benefits of working with the ODPP: Benefits We Offer | ODPP (nsw.gov.au)

Enquiries:

For general enquiries or if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to support you during the recruitment process, please contact Kylie Stephens, Recruitment Business Partner on (02) 8062 3544 or [email protected].

If you experience technical difficulties when submitting your application, please email [email protected] and a response will be sent during business hours.

The ODPP values diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential. The Office welcomes applications from First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people identifying with diverse genders and sexualities, people with disability and other diversity groups. If you have individual requirements that need to be accommodated in order to participate in the selection process, please indicate this in your application.

Profile description:

Advance your advocacy career in regional NSW - join our collaborative Lismore office and take on meaningful criminal law work that makes a real impact. Apply now!