Senior Solicitor

Senior Solicitor (VPS 5)

Position No: 50947077 

An opportunity for a Senior Solicitor to join a forward-thinking State government legal team that supports the diverse work of the Department by being a responsive, strategic advisory service delivering complex, high-value work

Join a positive, supportive workplace culture in a highly skilled team environment

• Combine your skills managing complex legal and regulatory matters with the challenge of supporting good government operations and decision-making.
• Location: 2 Lonsdale St, Melbourne/Hybrid
  

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is looking for a Senior Solicitor to join a skilled in-house legal team, within the Legal and Legislation Division in an ongoing role.

The Senior Solicitor delivers high quality, accurate and strategic legal advice and litigation support across a range of diverse core-in house subject areas, including administrative law, statutory interpretation, litigation and dispute resolution, Crown land use and development supporting a variety of DEECA portfolio areas including energy, environment, climate action, water, agriculture, earth resources and fire and emergency management.

About the role:

In this role, you may lead or support projects (including legal support for major projects), supervise the work of more junior lawyers, and work with the Division’s senior lawyers and management team to ensure the delivery of accurate, fit for purpose advice and strong organisational risk management with minimal supervision. 

The role is part of a highly skilled legal team, working closely with the department’s eight groups plus Solar Victoria, and Resources Victoria to support the delivery of priority policy initiatives, programs and operations to the Victorian community to optimise success and minimise and mitigate risks for government. 

About you:

The role is for an experienced and innovative mid-level lawyer who is looking to join an engaging, dynamic legal practice and to contribute to an inclusive and team-oriented workplace culture that is collaborative, professional and engaged.

If you want to be a part of a high performing, exciting, interesting and busy legal team, we welcome your application.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• An Australian lawyer holding or eligible to hold an Australian practising certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria).
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, accurate and timely legal advice on complex issues and under limited direction in two or more of these practice areas: administrative law and statutory interpretation, dispute resolution, planning and environmental law, energy law, First Nations self-determination and related frameworks, agriculture, Crown land use and development, natural resource management, fire and emergency management, commissions and inquiries, commercial and contract matters, and corporate governance.
• An understanding of and experience in government law will be considered favourably.

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:

If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers. 

Click the ‘Apply’ button and you'll be redirected to a new platform and create an account.

Applications close 11.59pm on Thursday, 20 August 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply.  We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace.  If you need support to participate, please contact aboriginal.employment@deeca.vic.gov.au.

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing.  For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.