Solicitor

Organisation and Role Overview

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) is committed to creating equal opportunities for all Victorians to live a safe, respected and valued life. We work hard to achieve this by focusing on key areas including child protection, housing, disability, family violence prevention, multicultural affairs, LGBTIQA+ equality, veterans, women, and youth.

We are dedicated to developing and supporting a highly motivated workforce that is well equipped to deliver our programs and services. All jobs can be worked flexibly, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Solicitor - Statewide Child Protection Litigation Office
This Solicitor role in the Statewide Child Protection Litigation Office (Statewide CPLO) is responsible for providing legal services including advice, support, and representation for child protection. The solicitor will appear and conduct litigation matters in various courts, including the Children's Court of Victoria, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), and related jurisdictions.

You will work predominantly with one of Statewide CPLO's legal teams and will travel to various Children's Court locations and child protection offices. This role requires strong communication and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple files and priorities effectively.

Main Responsibilities
Appear on behalf of the Secretary on child protection matters in the Children's Court and in related jurisdictions, such as VCAT.
Proactively manage allocated child protection litigation files with supervision, including effective client liaison and inter-party communication and negotiation.
Provide well-reasoned legal advice, briefings, and correspondence.
Selection Criteria
To be considered for this role, applicants must demonstrate:

Excellent legal knowledge and analytical skills.
Strong communication and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage multiple files and priorities effectively.
A commitment to delivering high-quality results and meeting deadlines.
How to Apply
All VPS employees (and ex-VPS employees with extended access to the Jobs and Skills Exchange website) MUST apply via the Jobs and Skills Exchange portal. Applicants are encouraged to apply online and attach a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process. Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.