Special Counsel, Environment

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 178,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Parramatta location

Job summary

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is seeking an experienced Special Counsel, Environment, to lead a specialist legal team in Parramatta. The role provides strategic legal advice on complex environmental law matters and supports major government projects and policy reform initiatives.

You will work with senior executives to navigate regulatory and administrative law issues, manage risks, and drive timely, practical legal solutions in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW.
• Extensive high-level experience in providing legal services.
• Sound understanding of government processes and advice/briefing.

Responsibilities

• Lead a specialist legal team delivering strategic environmental law advice on high‑profile matters for the Department.
• Provide legal advice to senior executives and stakeholders on policy and legislative reform initiatives.
• Manage legal risk and support major projects to align with government priorities.
• Oversee matters from inception to resolution and improve legal service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Judgement

Communication

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Team development

Education

Admitted as Solicitor or Barrister (NSW)

Job description

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Leadership opportunity for an experienced Environmental Lawyer
• Ongoing full-time opportunity, 35 hrs per week
• Based in Parramatta(flexible working supported;other office locationconsideredsubject to availability)
• Salary relative to experience ranging from $178,315 to $197,753 + superannuationand annual leave loading

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Special Counsel to lead a team of legal professionals delivering expert legal advice on complex, high-profile and strategically significant matters across the Department.

About the team

The Environment and Strategic Advice team provides strategic legal advice and support on environment and heritage portfolio matters as well as whole of Department matters. The team works closely with business areas across the Department to support delivery of some of the Department’s most complex and strategically significant projects, including legislative reform projects. The team brings together expert regulatory advice and projects lawyers in the areas of environmental law, heritage law, native title and government law.

About the role

As a Special Counsel, you will lead a specialist legal team and provide strategic legal advice on some of the Department's most complex, high-profile and significant matters. Working closely with senior executives and key stakeholders, you will play a critical role in supporting major projects, shaping policy and legislative reform initiatives, managing legal risk, and enabling the successful delivery of government priorities.

You will lead major legal matters from inception to resolution, provide trusted advice in complex and evolving legal environments, and contribute to the continuous improvement of legal service delivery across the Department.

Special Counsel, Environment who will:

• Lead legal services on environmental law matters of strategic importance to the Department.
• Provide specialist legal advice and support on complex administrative law and statutory interpretation matters.
• Provide specialist legal advice and support on complex environmental law matters, including biodiversity protection and regulation at the NSW and Commonwealth levels.

About you

You are a strategic and collaborative legal leader who thrives on navigating complex issues and delivering practical, solutions-focused advice.

To be successful in the role, you will have:

• Strong leadership capability, with experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior executives, government agencies and external partners.
• Sound judgement and the ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice on complex, sensitive and high-profile matters.
• Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• A client-focused approach and the ability to balance legal risk with organisational and government objectives.
• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
• The ability to think strategically, identify practical solutions and drive positive outcomes across complex legal matters.

Essential Requirements

• Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW and hold, or be eligible to hold, a NSW Practicing Certificate.
• Extensive high-level experience in the provision of legal services.
• Sound understanding of the processes of government and experience in provision of advice and briefing.

For more information read the full Role Description: Special Counsel, Environment

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) work to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

Please also note, to be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you need to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you need to hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role.

Applications close Tuesday, 22 Sept 2026 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role, please contact Rosanna Van Krieken, Director Environment and Strategic Advice via email to [e-mail] or on 02 9995 5222

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing [e-mail] or contacting Nivya Shetty on 02 9585 6607or via [e-mail] (please mention reference number 552986).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or our Aboriginal Career pathways team at [e-mail] for a yarn.