Principal Lawyer, Negligence, Litigation and Redress UnitJob posted: 19/11/2024
The Principal Lawyer provides and supervises the provision of high quality, timely legal advice.
About us The Department of Education (the department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.
The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students.
About the role – full time, Fixed Term for 2 years The Negligence Litigation and Redress (NLR) unit manages all litigated and non-litigated negligence claims brought against the department, including personal injury and property damage claims, bullying and historical sexual abuse claims. In addition, this unit is responsible for managing the department's responses to requests for information about applications for Redress.
The Principal Lawyer provides and supervises the provision of high quality, timely legal advice to Ministers, the Secretary, Executives, managers and school principals in relation to complex, high risk or sensitive matters and legal policy work.
The Principal Lawyer will lead and manage strategically significant negligence claims and litigation brought against the department.
The role requires a strategic and highly experienced litigation lawyer with a sensitive and compassionate approach given the nature of the claims and reputational risks for the department. The successful candidate will also have excellent communication, project management and stakeholder management skills.
Be part of a passionate, high-performing team –Legal Division is proud to be a 2023 finalist of the Australian Law Awards 'In-house team of the year'.Flexible and hybrid working arrangements — Part time, flexible start and finish times, work from home to help manage your work and personal commitments.Competitive salary – Bi-annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement.Diversity and inclusion - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves.Values – The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights.Employee assistance program — For emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support.How to apply Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter summarising their skills and experience (no more than two pages).
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description. For a confidential discussion, please phone Emily Lett (03 7022 1177) or Lucy Guthrie (03 7022 0925), Directors, Workplace and Education Law Branch.
Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 3 December 2024. To apply for this role, you will be redirected to the Department of Education job application system.
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