Fixed term, full time role until 19 February 2025.

All VPS employees eligible for a secondment opportunity are highly encouraged to apply.

About the Organisation

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:

You will lead and manage a team responsible for supporting EPA investigations and criminal prosecutions, including the preparation and review of briefs. You will develop and oversee the delivery of expert legal services and advice, aligned to EPA’s strategic priorities to prevent harm to Victorian communities and the environment from pollution and waste.

In this role you will:

• Lead the Investigations Support and Prosecutions team in building, maintaining, and leveraging strategic relationships and partnerships.
• Ensure a robust, transparent, risk and evidence-based approach within the Investigations Support and Prosecutions team, empowering and supporting staff, and devolving decision making with an appropriate accountability framework embedded within the team.
• Support investigations undertaken by Environmental Crime Branch and Operations Division, including by providing authoritative advice on statutory investigative powers.
• Lead and enable the process for the preparation and review of briefs for criminal prosecutions in a timely manner; act as Solicitor on the record for the EPA in litigation matters; prepare and implement management strategies for complex legal proceedings.
• Provide authoritative strategic and tactical advice to investigators and regional operation staff as required.

Skills and experience:

• A relevant tertiary degree and/or post graduate qualifications in law is required.
• Admitted to practice as an Australian legal practitioner under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, with a minimum of six years post admission experience.
• Senior management experience leading a legal advice and advocacy functions.
• Leadership in providing authoritative legal advice and advocacy on criminal investigations and prosecutions, preferably within Government.
• Ability to implement performance management and development frameworks to manage staff performance.

To see the full position description: Click Here

How to Apply

Click the ”Apply” button to submit your application. Applications close on Thursday,4 July 2024 at 11:59PM.

Applicants Should Submit:

• Cover letter; addressing your experience, the key selection criteria, motivations, and suitability to the role.
• Resume; including contact details of two referees.

For any enquiries relating to this role, please reach out to [email protected], using the subject line: Principal Solicitor - Investigations Support & Prosecutions enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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.