Senior Solicitor, Prosecutions & Civil Enforcement

Environment Protection Authority; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 129,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Protection Authority in Victoria seeks a Senior Solicitor, Prosecutions & Civil Enforcement to lead complex litigation, draft briefs for criminal prosecutions, and advise on statutory powers within investigations. You will mentor staff and collaborate with investigators to strengthen regulatory enforcement, supporting EPA’s mission to protect the environment and communities.

Applicants must have a law degree with Australian admission, a Victorian practising certificate or

Qualifications

• Legal qualification in Law with admission as an Australian lawyer and a current Victorian practising certificate.
• Experience in government, regulatory, litigation or enforcement with advocacy in criminal, civil, regulatory or administrative law.
• Strong knowledge of criminal prosecutions, litigation, evidence, and judicial review.
• Solid understanding of the Environment Protection Act 2017 or equivalent regulatory legislation.
• Excellent research, risk management, written advocacy, stakeholder engagement and workload management.

Responsibilities

• Advise on, initiate or respond to litigation in various jurisdictions, including developing strategies for complex proceedings.
• Lead the timely preparation and review of briefs for criminal prosecutions.
• Support investigations by providing authoritative advice on statutory powers.
• Appear on behalf of EPA and instruct external solicitors and counsel.
• Upskill investigators and regional staff, and mentor junior solicitors.

Skills

Regulatory litigation experience

Criminal and civil advocacy

Legal research

Stakeholder engagement

Workload management

Statutory interpretation

Investigative powers knowledge

Education

Law degree + admission as Australian Lawyer

Victorian practising certificate eligibility

Job description

Senior Solicitor, Prosecutions & Civil Enforcement

Salary: VPS 5.2 - $128,635 to $140,849 + 12% superannuation

Location: 664 Collins Street, Docklands VIC 3008

About the Organisation

Ongoing, full-time role - AUC00267

Salary: VPS 5.2 - $128,635 to $140,849 + 12% superannuation

Location: 664 Collins Street, Docklands VIC 3008

EPA is currently transitioning to a new operating model, creating a range of opportunities across the organisation. We’re looking for talented people to join us and contribute to EPA’s important work protecting Victoria’s environment and community.

EPA works to prevent and reduce the harmful effect of pollution and waste on Victoria's environment and people. We work with community, industry and businesses. As the needs of Victorians change, we must be equipped to adapt and respond to a range of factors.

We are a workplace committed to new ways of working, EPA celebrates diversity of people and lifestyles. We offer a wide range of practical options to support both your work and personal life.

The EPA Experience

• See the impact in the communities we live in: at EPA you see your work first-hand
• Range of internal working groups, networks and volunteering opportunities
• On-the-job training for a wide range of environmental roles
• Flexible start and finish times, as well as compressed work week options

About the role

As Senior Solicitor, you will be a senior member of the unit responsible for supporting EPA investigations that lead to criminal prosecutions, civil enforcement proceedings and associated court orders. You will provide expert legal services and strategic advice, while remaining agile to undertake broader legal work as EPA's demands and priorities require.

This is an opportunity to lead complex litigation and brief preparation, advise investigators on statutory powers, and strengthen prosecution and civil enforcement capability that supports EPA's work to prevent harm to Victorian communities and the environment.

In this role you will

• Advise on, initiate or respond to litigation in various jurisdictions, including developing and implementing strategies for complex legal proceedings.
• Lead the timely preparation and review of briefs for criminal prosecutions.
• Support EPA investigations by providing authoritative and strategic advice on statutory investigative powers.
• Appear on behalf of EPA and prepare and instruct external solicitors and counsel.
• Upskill investigators and regional operations staff, mentor junior solicitors and contribute to a positive, accountable and collaborative culture.

Skills and experience

• A tertiary qualification in Law, admission as an Australian Lawyer under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, and a current Victorian practising certificate or eligibility to obtain one.
• Demonstrated experience providing legal services in government, regulatory, litigation or enforcement environments, including authoritative advice and advocacy in criminal, civil, regulatory or administrative law matters.
• Highly developed knowledge in criminal prosecutions, litigation, evidence, statutory interpretation, investigative powers, administrative decision-making and judicial review.
• Sound knowledge of the Environment Protection Act 2017 or similar risk-based regulatory legislation, or the ability to quickly acquire this expertise.
• Highly developed legal research, evidence analysis, risk management, written advocacy, stakeholder engagement and workload management skills.

Need to know more?

All prospective employees will also undergo a National Criminal Record Check prior to an offer of employment. You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Preferred candidates will be subject to pre‑employment checks including, but not limited to, police checks, reference checks and role related security clearances.

EPA Victoria recognises the value of the diversity, strength, and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as we work with Traditional Owners to care for our environment. We provide a culturally safe and embracing work environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to merit, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We believe our workforce should represent the diversity of the lands upon which we reside; and we actively embrace staff of different abilities, orientations, backgrounds, faiths, and genders.

For any enquiries relating to this role, please reach out to *******@epa.vic.gov.au