Senior Solicitor - LO5 - Inquests, Inquiries and Representation

Senior Solicitor

Inquests, Inquiries and Representation

• Principal location Parramatta – Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated
• Employment type – Temporary – up to 12 months (35 hrs per week)
• Salary – Legal Officer – Grade 5, Base Salary ($149,906 – $152,845), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

Do you want to contribute to work that makes a real difference? Join the dynamic Inquests, Inquiries, and Representation (IIR) team at the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). As a Senior Solicitor, you will provide high-level legal advice and litigation services, manage complex inquests and inquiries, and lead a team of professionals. You will also support DCJ’s representation in various inquiries and investigatory bodies. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a collaborative environment, influence policy, and make a significant impact on the legal landscape. Flexible work practices and a supportive team await you.

What you’ll do

As part of the IIR team, you will provide expert legal advice and high-level litigation services to clients, senior management, and staff. You will lead and mentor a team of legal professionals, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality work and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

You will also:

• Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of complex legal documents, including legal precedents reports, and submissions specific to inquests and inquiries.
• Manage complex, contentious, and sensitive inquest and inquiry cases, advising on emerging legal issues and their long-term impact.
• Oversee large-scale legal projects focused on law reform, policy development, and improving representation within inquiries and investigations.
• Mentor and supervise team members, supporting their professional growth and ensuring high performance.
• Represent the Department in inquests, inquiries, and tribunals, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and responding to legal requests.
• Design and deliver legal education and training programs to build capacity and improve service quality in the context of inquests and inquiries.
• Collaborate with internal and external legal stakeholders on legislative changes, interpretation, and emerging legal issues relating to inquests, inquiries, and representation.
• Work as part of a team of legal professionals dedicated to high-quality, efficient service delivery, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous professional development.

What we’re looking for

• Extensive knowledge and experience in the relevant area/s of law.
• Legal Qualifications and eligibility to hold a practising certificate as a government legal practitioner issued by the NSW Law Society, with condition 2 removed.
• Working with Children Check Clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014.
• National Security Clearance at the appropriate level in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information?  Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

• Describe a time when you had to negotiate under tight deadlines or in high-pressure situations.
• What has been a challenging ethical issue that you have encountered? What did you do and what was the outcome?

Applications close: Sunday, 13 April 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Katie Llewelyn at katie.llewelyn@justice.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at lois.jebin@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
 Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.