Principal Solicitor

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC – Melbourne VIC is seeking an experienced Principal Solicitor to join its in-house legal team within the Legal and Legislation Division.

You will lead in-house litigation support, supervise junior lawyers, and provide authoritative, timely advice across core areas including administrative law, regulatory approvals, and contract disputes, in a dynamic government setting.

Qualifications

• Qualified Australian lawyer with ability to hold practicing certificate in Victoria.
• Experience delivering concise, authoritative legal advice under time pressure.
• Senior-level in-house or government practice in areas such as administrative or environmental law.

Responsibilities

• Lead the provision of in-house litigation support and supervise junior lawyers.
• Provide strategic, risk-based legal advice to senior management and staff.
• Work across core areas including administrative law, regulatory approvals, and contract disputes.

Skills

Legal advisory

Litigation leadership

Contract law

Regulatory compliance

Policy analysis

Team leadership

Education

Australian practising certificate

In-house/government law experience

Tools

MS Office

Legal research databases

Job description

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC – Melbourne VIC

An opportunity for an experienced Principal Solicitor to join a forward-thinking State government legal team that supports the diverse work of the Department by being a responsive, strategic advisory service delivering complex, high-value work.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is looking for a Principal Solicitor to join a skilled in-house legal team within the Legal and Legislation Division in an ongoing role.

The Principal Solicitor is a senior member of the legal team and provides leadership in the delivery of high quality, accurate and strategic legal advice and litigation support across a range of diverse core-in house subject areas, including commercial and contract law, government procurement practices, administrative law, regulatory approvals and investigations, corporate governance, contract dispute resolution and litigation, and statutory interpretation.

The position requires an agile professional committed to performing at the highest level with demonstrated initiative, a willingness to take on new challenges, and a proven ability to provide clear, accurate and timely advice, ideally in a government context.

About the role:

• In this role, you will lead the provision of in house litigation support, supervise the work of more junior lawyers, and provide authoritative advice to senior management and staff on a diverse range of legal, legal policy and legislation-related issues with a focus on leveraging the division’s deep understanding of the department’s legal and legislative frameworks to provide relevant, risk-based and solutions-focused advice and delivery.
• The role is part of a highly skilled legal team, working closely with the department’s eight groups plus Solar Victoria, and Resources Victoria to support the delivery of priority policy initiatives, programs and operations to the Victorian community to optimise success and minimise and mitigate risks for government.

About you:

• The role is for an experienced and innovative senior-level lawyer who is looking to join an engaging, dynamic legal practice and to contribute to an inclusive and team-oriented workplace culture that is collaborative, professional and engaged.
• If you want to be a part of a high performing, exciting, interesting and busy legal team, we welcome your application.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• An Australian lawyer holding or eligible to hold an Australian practising certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria).
• Demonstrated ability to perform unsupervised and deliver and supervise the delivery of – in a timely manner and at a level of excellence including when under time pressure – accurate, concise, clear and authoritative legal advice in the core areas of administrative law (including operation of government and an awareness of Constitutional issues) regulatory approvals and investigations, statutory interpretation, litigation and dispute resolution, and an ability to manage significant and/or high profile litigation. Experience operating at a senior level in two of these areas is mandatory and highly regarded in all.
• Strong experience in either broader general in-house or government legal practice and/or some of the department’s areas of specialisation: environmental law, energy law, First Nations self-determination and related frameworks, agriculture, Crown land use and development, natural resource management and fire and emergency management, commissions and inquiries.

This is an ongoing VPS6 Value Range 1 position. The work location for this position is 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 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.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close 11.59pm on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.

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.

If you need support to participate, please contact ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au.

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us