Principal Solicitor, Geelong

Principal Solicitor, Trial Division - Geelong

Full Time, Fixed Term – Up to 12 Months (Parental Leave Backfill)

The Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) has an exciting opportunity at our Geelong office, for an experienced Solicitor to join our Trial Divisions as a Principal Solicitor!

The successful incumbent will be responsible for preparing and instructing in highly complex matters across all jurisdictions, including the Magistrates', County and Supreme Courts.

At this level an incumbent will be asked to identify and respond to new and emerging legal issues in a dynamic environment, including interpreting and applying concepts in situations were little precedent may exist in innovative ways.

About the Role:

• Prepare, instruct and where required appear in highly complex cases, including major trials and taskforce investigations.
• Undertake high level research and analysis of complex legal matters and provide advice to the relevant stakeholders, including OPP staff, counsel, external agencies and more.
• Provide both formal and informal mentoring and advice to Junior OPP staff to assist in their training and development.

As our ideal candidate you will have:

• Extensive knowledge of Criminal Law and Procedure particularly in relation to experience in highly complex cases.
• The ability to effectively identify and address emerging issues at a strategic and operational level is changing legal environment.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at an influential level with relevant stakeholders, both internally and externally.

The position is based at our Geelong office which is located centrally at 60/62 Brougham Street. The role involves regional travel to instruct in County and Supreme Court circuits within regional Victoria. A vehicle and overnight accommodation are provided as required.

For further information, please refer to the attached Position Description.

To apply, you will need to submit a resume, cover letter and complete the online questionnaire which can be found on the last page of the application process. This questionnaire will ask you to address some of the Key Selection Criteria which you must complete. Separate responses to the KSC outlined in the position description are not required.

In accordance with the VPS recruitment process all candidates are subject to complete a pre-employment misconduct screening declaration. Further information is available on the VPSC website: https://vpsc.vic.gov.au/resources/pre-employment-screening-misconduct-victorian-public-service/

Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 14 April 2024.

The OPP is committed to building a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. People from all cultural backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly applicants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, or those who may experience disability related barriers in securing employment. If you require assistance with the recruitment process, or have accessibility requirements please contact recruit.info@opp.vic.gov.au

Persons considering applying for these positions should note that the recruitment process may be used to fill a commensurate position/s within 3 months of the completion of the recruitment without any further advertisement or interview. Please note this recruitment process, including interviews, will be conducted remotely.