• Advisings and Community Protection team – Department of Communities and Justice, Legal 
• Principal location – Parramatta - Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated, subject to the Flexible Working Policy
• Employment type – Temporary 12-month position – Full time (35 hours) with creation of a talent pool for any future vacancies
• Salary – Legal Officer – Grade 4, Base Salary ($139,862 – $142,554), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading 

Your role

As a solicitor in the Advisings and Community Protection (ACP) team, this role presents a unique opportunity to provide high-level legal and litigation services in a dynamic team committed to protecting communities and supporting vulnerable individuals. You will help shape legal strategy and policy in impactful areas of law. 

What you’ll do

The ACP team provides legal advice and critical support to the Attorney General as First Law Officer in respect of his statutory and common law responsibilities, as well as other Ministers, Executives and statutory office holders in the Department of Communities and Justice.

The ACP team provides advice and/or manages proceedings in relation to:

• Applications for reviews of sentences and convictions, extinguishment of historical homosexual convictions and the exercise of the Royal prerogative of mercy;
• Applications for act of grace payments;
• Applications under the Suitors’ Fund Act 1951 and the Costs in Criminal Cases Act 1967;
• The Attorney General’s common law or statutory powers and responsibilities including constitutional matters, prosecution of indictable matters, criminal contempt, vexatious proceedings, judicial review and charitable trusts;
• High-risk offenders, forensic patients, parole and segregated and protective custody orders for inmates;
• Management of inmates, detainees and/or parolees by Corrective Services NSW and Youth Justice NSW.

You will also:

• Undertake complex research and provide high-level recommendations on legal matters;
• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure compliance with legislation and policy;
• Manage high-volume casework while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of legal standards, strategies, and systems;
• Supervise legal staff and provide guidance to ensure the delivery of quality legal services;
• Deliver legal education and training programs to internal and external stakeholders;
• Represent the Department in courts and tribunals, managing complex litigation matters;
• Work as part of a collaborative and professional legal team committed to excellence in service delivery.

What we’re looking for

• Legal qualifications and eligibility to hold a practising certificate as a Government legal practitioner issued by the NSW Law Society;
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, accurate and timely legal advice in accordance with legislation and policy;
• Extensive knowledge and experience in litigation and complex legal advisory work;
• Proven ability to supervise and guide legal staff to deliver high-quality outcomes;
• Strong communication skills to explain legal concepts to a wide range of audiences;
• Experience drafting legal documents, submissions and correspondence;
• Capacity to manage competing priorities while maintaining high professional standards and attention to detail.

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.

Download the role description attached below. 

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site, click Apply Now.

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 Now, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

• Targeted Question 1

Please describe a time when you had to prepare a complex legal advice. How did you know where to start and whether you were on the right track in providing the correct advice?

• Targeted Question 2

ACP often receive urgent requests that need to be prepared at short notice. How do you plan and prioritise when you receive an urgent request to complete a task or advice while managing a busy practice with competing priorities?

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Elissa Costigan at [email protected] using the subject line: Solicitor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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] using the subject line: Solicitor enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

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 Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

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

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.