Senior Legal Officer

• Ongoing full-time employment opportunity
• Based in Sydney CBD with hybrid and flexible work options
• Remuneration ranging from $139,862 to $152,845 plus super & leave loading

About the Department of Education

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

We ensure young children get the best start in life by supporting and regulating the early childhood education and care sector. We unlock excellence and unleash the potential of two-thirds of school children in NSW. We’re proudly public and the largest education system in Australia. We nurture opportunities for every learner to develop the skills needed for their chosen career path, helping shape the industries of tomorrow.

We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples of Australia.

For more information about the Department of Education, please visit NSW Department of Education

About the Legal Services Directorate

Legal Services supports schools, and regional and state corporate offices to navigate the law to put students at the centre of decision-making. Our high-performing legal team works collaboratively across the organisation, partnering to provide critical legal advice. We are a trusted and credible partner, delivering excellent service and promoting community confidence in public education. Our legal advice and expertise builds organisational capabilities so that every student, every teacher, every leader and every school can improve, every year.

About the team

The School Infrastructure Legal Team (within the Commercial and School Infrastructure Legal Team) provides advice to schools and business units on a vast range of property matters including drafting, negotiating and advising on a wide range of contracts and disputes (including acquisitions, disposals, licensing and other property rights). The team also drafts agreements with other government agencies and various external providers to support priority projects, reform initiatives and collaborative programs that span the complete education life cycle (pre-school to vocational and higher education).

Key accountabilities include:

• managing complex, contentious or sensitive cases, reviews, research, and other legal and administrative activities
• providing advice on new and emerging issues in the relevant area of the law and their longer-term implications
• supervising, mentoring and developing staff, and managing staff performance
• drafting and reviewing complex legal documents
• contributing to the design and development of practice group strategy, plans and programs
• supporting the collection and analysis of legal data to deliver reporting that informs and improves the department’s operations.

Essential requirements of the role

• At least 5 years of post-admission property law experience and capable of working with a high degree of autonomy
• Ability to convey technical legal concepts in relation to property matters and negotiate outcomes that protect the department and achieve value for money outcomes for the NSW Government
• Current unrestricted NSW practising certificate (or ability to apply for an unrestricted practising certificate)
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education. 

Key knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

For further information please view the role description

Benefits

With nearly 100,000 people working all over NSW, the Department of Education isn’t like any other workplace. You can customise your career track and experience benefits including:

• the opportunity to make a real difference, doing important work in a varied, rewarding career in which you can make the most of your legal expertise across a variety of disciplines
• flexible working conditions, with a 35-hour week and generous leave entitlements that give you unrivalled work–life balance
• a dynamic workplace in an organisation committed to diversity and inclusion
• opportunities for advancement beyond the initial job description, with scope to move sideways as well as up and receive the professional support you need to discover new talents and interests

How to apply 

If you are interested in joining the team, we want to hear from you! 

Please attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

Closing date:  Sunday 22 June 2025 at 11:59pm

For role enquiries please contact George Demetriou via email at George.Demetriou1@det.nsw.edu.au

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number and complete a National Criminal Record Check. Visit the website for more information.

welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team (dandi@det.nsw.edu.au) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.”

A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process. A talent pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.