Senior Legal Officer - Operations

The Senior Legal Officer – Operations will provide support to the investigation of biosecurity matters that have economic and social implications. This will include matters that affect access to markets for Victorian agricultural products. You will work to develop and improve the knowledge and skills of regulatory staff to enable them to function in a modern risk-based, intelligence-led regulator.

As a Senior Legal Officer - Operations, you will positively contribute to broader strategic plans to achieve Biosecurity Victoria priorities. You will support and promote excellence in service delivery by implementing improvements in the quality of operational legal advice and plans and will proactively pursue opportunities to build strong and sustainable relationships with allied businesses of the Department and external stakeholders (including lawyers, community and industry groups, and local and state government agencies).

As this is a regulatory position, appointment under various biosecurity Acts may be a requirement of the position.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• An appropriate tertiary degree in law, preferably with experience or post-graduate qualifications in compliance management is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in providing strategic, authoritative and technically sound legal advice in a complex compliance & enforcement context, as well as the ability to assist with the management of enforcement proceedings, enquiries and investigations.
• Demonstrated capacity to build compliance capability in Biosecurity Victoria (BV) by delivering presentations on contemporary enforcement practices and developing and updating guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide considered and authoritative written and verbal advice that is accurate and clear on a range of highly complex and sensitive matters within the Biosecurity Victoria (BV) compliance space.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment with tight timeframes and manage a number of different and complex projects/tasks simultaneously.
• Proven experience in managing complex stakeholder relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Demonstrated experience in influencing and negotiating with stakeholders to gain support for key departmental priorities.

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria 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.

In particular please address the following questions:

1. Outline your skills and experience relating to the provision of advice to senior leaders on an untested of new legislative issue to support efficient operational regulatory delivery.
2. Outline your experience using concrete examples of how you would provide compliance advice relating to an investigation, including the review and development of detailed feedback to an investigations team.

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.

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Applications close 11.59pm on Thursday, 30 April 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.

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave. For more information visit applying for a role with us.