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:

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

• Temporary 6 months Full-Time opportunity to make direct impact on Early Childhood Education and Care sector.
• Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Salary range from $144,058 to $157,430 p.a. plus superannuation and annual leave loading.

About the role

As the Senior Legal Officer, you will act as the bridge between law and regulation to ensure the Department's regulatory decisions are fair, consistent and legally justifiable.

Your responsibilities:

• Manage a high volume of complex, sensitive and contentious legal matters, including oversight of NCAT proceedings and enforcement activities.
• Provide high-level legal services, strategic advice and guidance to senior executives and regulatory staff.
• Conduct internal reviews of administrative decisions and draft, review and analyse complex legal documents to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with key stakeholder to design and deliver efficient and effective legal advice and service delivery.
• Develop and deliver legal education and training to build staff capability and promote best practice decision-making.
• Effectively liaise with external law firms on criminal and civil matters.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

You are a proactive and adaptable legal practitioner with strong analytical skills and ability to quickly grasp and navigate complex procedures and frameworks. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can confidently manage complex matters and maintain high-level of attention to detail. You will also bring:

• Strong stakeholder engagement and build effective working relationships.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong communication and demonstrated skills in statutory interpretation.
• Litigation experience and skills (highly desirable)

Your work will directly influence the quality of Early Childhood Education and Care service across NSW, contributing to better outcomes for children's learning.

Key Knowledge and Experience

• 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.

Essential requirements of the role

• Legal qualifications and with a current NSW legal practicing certificate that is not subject to a supervision requirement.
• A valid Working with Children Check clearance for paid employment or ability to apply for clearance.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a 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'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

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

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.

Closing date Monday 17th November 2025 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Dayna Greenfield at [email protected] and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Jenny Nguyen at [email protected]

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.