Solicitor (Flex)

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 101,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing VIC is seeking an experienced Solicitor to join the Public Law and Inquiries team within the Legal Services Branch. This fixed-term role offers exposure to statutory interpretation, administrative law matters, and managing sensitive litigation including coronial inquiries and Hague Convention matters.

Based in Melbourne with flexible hybrid arrangements, you will advise key stakeholders, prepare briefs, and instruct counsel, contributing to

Qualifications

• Current practicing certificate as a solicitor with a minimum of two years post-admission experience.
• Clear, concise written communications including briefs, letters and reports.
• Strong organizational awareness and ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
• Ability to plan and prioritise work to meet outcomes under competing demands.
• Experience listening to customer needs and delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Demonstrated integrity and commitment to codes of conduct.

Responsibilities

• Provide well-reasoned legal advice, briefings, and correspondence that is clear, accurate, and outcomes-focused.
• Collaborate with departmental colleagues to deliver client-focused legal services supporting policy objectives.
• Instruct in litigation across a wide range of courts and tribunals.
• Prepare briefs and instruct counsel and contracted solicitors on the State Government Legal Panel.
• Liaise with external stakeholders including barristers, court staff, other government departments, and professional bodies.
• Contribute to strategic and operational planning to improve legal services and client outcomes.
• Participate in the delivery of training across the department as required.
• Maintain accurate and complete records in accordance with legislative requirements.

Skills

Written communications

Organizational awareness

Prioritisation

Client-facing

Integrity

Education

Practising certificate – solicitor

2+ years post-admission experience

Job description

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC – Melbourne VIC

• Salary range : $100,894 - $114,476 (full-time equivalent per annum) plus superannuation
• Full-time / Flexible
• Fixed term to 30 June 2027

Solicitor ( Flex )

• Salary range : $100,894 - $114,476 (full-time equivalent per annum) plus superannuation
• Full-time / Flexible
• Fixed term to 30 June 2027

About the Role

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is seeking an experienced Solicitor to join our Public Law and Inquiries team within the Legal Services Branch. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that supports Victoria's social recovery and community wellbeing while developing your legal expertise in a dynamic government environment.

In this role, you will provide timely, strategic, and practical legal advice to key stakeholders across the department. Your work will encompass a broad range of legal issues including statutory interpretation, administrative law matters, and the management of sensitive litigation including coronial inquiries and Hague Convention matters. This position offers the chance to make a real difference by supporting policies and services that create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live safe, respected, and valued lives.

Working from our Melbourne office with flexible hybrid arrangements, you will collaborate with colleagues across the Legal Services Branch and the broader department, exercising sound judgment and initiative while building effective working relationships that drive positive outcomes for the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide well-reasoned legal advice, briefings, and correspondence that is clear, accurate, and outcomes-focused
• Collaborate with departmental colleagues to deliver client-focused legal services that support government policy objectives
• Instruct in litigation involving the department across a wide range of courts and tribunals
• Prepare briefs and instruct counsel and contracted solicitors on the State Government Legal Panel
• Liaise with external stakeholders including barristers, court and tribunal staff, other government departments, and professional bodies
• Contribute to strategic and operational planning to improve legal services and client outcomes
• Participate in the delivery of training across the department as required
• Maintain accurate and complete records in accordance with legislative requirements and departmental policies

Required Qualifications

• Current practicing certificate as a solicitor with a minimum of two years post-admission experience
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, concise, and grammatically correct written communications including briefs, letters, and reports
• Strong organizational awareness with understanding of formal and informal influencing relationships and decision-making processes
• Proven ability to plan and prioritize work to ensure outcomes are achieved while managing competing demands
• Experience listening to and actively seeking to meet customer needs with commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes
• Demonstrated integrity and commitment to operating in a manner consistent with organizational codes of conduct

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in Government Law and provision of legal and policy advice to government
• Strong statutory interpretation skills and litigation experience
• Experience with administrative law matters
• Ability to adapt communication style and content to suit different audiences
• Experience negotiating and implementing well-planned courses of action to achieve specific outcomes

What We're Looking For

We seek a collaborative legal professional who thrives in a team environment and is committed to public service excellence. The ideal candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm and sustained effort, set high standards for themselves, and work effectively with diverse working styles. You will be someone who encourages resolution of conflict, shows consideration for others' ideas, and is driven by the opportunity to contribute to creating a fairer and safer Victoria.

This role offers flexible and hybrid work arrangements, supporting your work-life balance while enabling you to contribute to bold and innovative reform for the community. You will join a department dedicated to empowering communities and leading policies focused on community wellbeing and social recovery.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are building an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and difference, and we actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with disability, LGBTIQA+ individuals, veterans, and people from varied cultural backgrounds.