At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.

The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers

We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?

Opportunity to join a high-profile team, at the centre of government, to advise and lead on a variety of legal matters across the justice system.

About us

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for the provision of in-house legal services across the Department of Justice and Community Safety, to the Attorney-General, Minister for Police, and other DJCS Ministers.

About the role

The Public Law and Litigation team within OGC leads the delivery of legal services on constitutional, administrative and public law issues, and litigation involving DJCS and its Ministers. This includes managing the conduct and coordination of high-profile disputes and inquiries on behalf of the State. The successful candidate will manage and provide advice on litigation arising from DJCS' role in the State's COVID‑19 response, and a range of other matters.

Key accountabilities include:

• Provide solutions based legal and policy advice, both written and oral, on issues relevant to the government, Ministers and DJCS, both individually and as part of a team of solicitors.
• Independently manage multiple complex and sensitive matters for various clients.
• Undertake legal research and analysis on complex legal matters with outstanding statutory interpretation skills.
• Manage the preparation of legal documentation and the drafting of complex reports, briefs and Ministerial and other correspondence as required.
• Support and work collaboratively with the OGC executive and leadership team.
• Develop close, effective and candid relationships with other DJCS groups as well as other departments, agencies and stakeholders.
• Contribute to a positive work environment which promotes a partnership approach to people management, enhances morale and respects diversity.

Your role

Among other things, you'll be involved in:

• Preparing legal advice in relation to high-profile and complex constitutional, administrative law and public law matters, including briefing the Solicitor-General, Crown Counsel and Senior Counsel.
• Statutory interpretation across a number of dynamic operational areas including Corrections Victoria, Youth Justice and Emergency Management Victoria.
• Managing high profile litigation matters including class actions, Royal Commissions and inquiries.
• Advising on a diverse range of other matters including employment law, consumer and competition law, gambling regulation, residential tenancies policy, adoption matters and Freedom of Information and Privacy matters.
• Drafting materials for consideration by Cabinet and Ministers, including briefs, speaking notes and submissions.

About you

We are looking for lawyers who possess a proven ability to provide sophisticated, authoritative, concise, and solutions-focused advice in relation to any of:

• criminal, civil or government advisory work and litigation;
• public or administrative law;
• general commercial litigation advice.

Applicants must be admitted, or eligible to be admitted, to practice as a legal practitioner in Victoria.

What we offer

The OGC team are a friendly, collaborative team who are extremely passionate about what they do. We pride ourselves on producing high quality, varied and interesting work within a flexible and agile working environment.

How to apply

Please click the Apply button at the bottom of this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter.

For more information on the accountabilities and key selection criteria for the role, please refer to the attached position description.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad

FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES: 

For all VPS employees, due to the new JSE policy, please apply through the JSE only to be considered for this position.

For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic).

Therefore, there is a requirement that all DJCS employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to undertake duties outside of their homes.

Prior to commencement of employment with the department you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19. Acceptable evidence includes:

1. COVID-19 digital certificate (available via your myGov account)
2. Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account) or
3. A letter from the GP who vaccinated you.