Principal Legal Officer

Do you want to make a difference for Regional NSW in 2023?

We help to make our regions great places to live, work, visit and do business

• Willing to consider candidates across all NSW locations.  Preference will be given to candidates based regionally,  with a focus on Queanbeyan, Armidale, Dubbo and Coffs Harbour
• Offering an attractive salary dependent on experience ranging from $148,885 – $152,021 + Super, Leave Loading, Flex Leave and plenty of other great benefits! 

Diversity and inclusion are core values of the Department of Regional NSW. We encourage applications from people with a range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. This includes differences in culture, gender, sexual orientation, language and disability status or other attributes. The Department of Regional NSW is a workplace where everyone is able to contribute and participate to their full potential, and we are proud to have a team that reflects the richness and complexity of the regional NSW communities we serve.

Why work with us? 

• Great team culture: We value curiosity, collaboration and respect. You will be part of a hard-working team of lawyers who genuinely enjoy working together!
• Flexible working: Work flexible hours, work from home and work in regional NSW, we have a wide range of hubs all across NSW
• Diverse range of complex and engaging work: You will work on interesting and varied projects that make a difference for regional NSW 
• Genuine long-term career opportunities: We invest in your development, your legal skills and leadership capabilities to promote success 
• Work/life balance: Up to 24 flex days each year in addition to the 20 annual leave days; access to a Fitness Passport (https://www.fitnesspassport.com.au/)

Positions available

• 1x Ongoing Principal Legal Officer, Regional Resources and Legislation: We are looking for an experienced lawyer to join our team to work on interesting and diverse matters, give advice and support legislative reform in the areas of regional resources law* and government law.
• 1x 3-year fixed term Principal Legal Officer, Commercial law: We are looking for a commercial lawyer with experience in grants and funding to support the work of DRNSW’s Regional Development Group.
• Principal Legal Officers, Talent pool: We are looking for lawyers to join our talent pool to fill positions, including temporary opportunities, across our 4 legal teams. 

* Regional resources law includes biodiversity, native vegetation, native title, mine safety, public works and regional development, soil conservation service, mining exploration and geoscience, planning frameworks.

Our ideal candidates:

• Team players with a can-do attitude!
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in one or more of the following:
  • Legislation and advice: administrative law, statutory interpretation, legislative reform
  • Commercial law: in particular grants and funding
  • Litigation.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work at a senior level and manage challenging workloads and competing deadlines.
• Minimum of 6-years post-admission legal experience.
• Eligible to hold a current practising certificate in NSW.

For more information about the position, you can review the role description here. 

If you have these skills, we would love to hear from you!

Why work for DRNSW? 

Help build Regional NSW: Our work is fast-paced and varied. You will be working on issues that make the headlines, as part of a team that solves problems to improve regional NSW and make it a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

Flexibility and Inclusion: We strive to reflect the community we serve and encourage our people to explore new ways of working across regional NSW. We are open to arrangements that help individuals balance their work and life commitments. We embrace difference and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Exciting career pathways and opportunities: We offer vibrant and exciting career paths for people from a wide range of backgrounds and skills. Once you join the NSW Government, you’ll be supported to develop your skills and expertise through ongoing training, and opportunities to move easily from role to role, and agency to agency across the entire NSW Government. 

Wellbeing: Providing a safe, supportive, ethical, diverse and inclusive workplace for our people is one of our priorities. We run a variety of programs and provide a range of supporting resources to ensure the wellbeing of all our people. 

Apply now:  Please submit your application online. Include your resume and a cover letter outlining your suitability for this position. The focus capabilities for the role are set out in the role description.

Closing Date: Submit your application by 11.55pm on Sunday 29 January 2023.

More information:  If you would like to hear more about the roles, please contact:

• Michelle Blazek (Director, Regional Resources and Legislation): michelle.blazek@regional.nsw.gov.au
• Lesley Skinner (Director, Commercial law): lesley.skinner@regional.nsw.gov.au

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same role or role type that may become available for filling over the next eighteen months.