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About us

The Department of Education (the department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.

The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students.

About the role - Ongoing - Full time

The Principal Lawyer and Manager, Legislation and Government Law Unit (LGLU) will lead the delivery of major legislative and regulatory projects and provide expert legal advice with a focus on government law issues, particularly the application of Victorian laws in relation to government administration and the school and early childhood education system.

The role will report to the Director, Commercial and Legislation Branch, and manages a team of lawyers together with a co-Principal Lawyer and Manager.

The successful candidate will:

• initiate, drive and contribute to innovative policy and legal policy projects to improve department practice in key areas of legal risk, including through drawing on the skills and expertise of others
• analyse complex issues and identify whole of department and whole of government issues where they arise.      
• have strong specialist knowledge and experience in legislative drafting, law reform and the Victorian legislation processes and will provide quality legal services to departmental corporate clients in relation to the education and early childhood portfolios
• have specialist technical legal expertise and experience in the drafting of statutory interpretation and governance advice.

The Principal Lawyer and Manager supports excellence in legal services by instigating improvements in the quality of advice and working arrangements of LGLU, and proactively seeking out ways to better engage with other business units within the Legal Division and the department.

Why join us?

• Be part of a passionate, high-performing team - Legal Division is proud to be a 2023 finalist of the Australian Law Awards ‘In-house team of the year'.
  • Meaningful work that is varied, satisfying and rewarding - As part of a career in the public sector you can help shape Victoria's future, serve the community and follow your ambition. Visit https://careers.vic.gov.au/why-work-for-vic to find out more about careers in the public service and the range of careers available.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements — Part time, flexible start and finish times, work from home to help manage your work and personal commitments.
• Competitive salary - Bi-annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement
• Diversity and inclusion - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves.
• Values - The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values underpin how we interact with colleagues, students and families, members of the community, suppliers and government.
• Employee assistance program — For emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support

How to Apply

For more information, please review the attached position description, or for a confidential discussion regarding the role, please contact Burton Reynolds, Director, Commercial and Legislation branch, 03 7022 0952.

Application documents required

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages).

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description. 

The Department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website [education.vic.gov.au] , HRWeb [education.vic.gov.au] and our Diversity and Inclusion page [education.vic.gov.au]. 

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. 

Applications close 11:59PM 9th December 2024