Principal Legal Officer

Join us in driving impactful change by transforming the NSW electricity system!

Calling dynamic senior lawyers to lead diverse legal projects for the NSW energy transition


Ongoing fulltime role at 35 hours per week plus FlexTime
Sydney or Regional NSW location by negotiation
Hybrid working from home and office supported
Salary range from $161,034 to $164,426 plus super and leave loading

EnergyCo NSW is spearheading the transition to renewable energy to deliver clean electricity to the people of NSW as coal-fired power stations near closure.

The preferred location of this role is within Sydney, however, should you be located in another regional NSW location you will initially work remotely from home, with the view of working from an EnergyCo office within the region when one becomes available and it is safe to do so.

About the Opportunity
As a Principal Legal Officer at EnergyCo, you will play a key role in shaping the legal framework supporting EnergyCo to deliver New South Wales' energy transition. Working within a dynamic and innovative environment, you’ll join a collaborative legal team, providing expert legal advice on complex electricity sector matters, including the implementation of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and Strategy.

This role offers a unique opportunity to:

contribute to significant reform projects by advising on legislation such as the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020, engaging with energy market bodies and stakeholders, and supporting the development of regulatory frameworks,
lead legal aspects of multi-billion-dollar state significant energy infrastructure transactions.

You will provide varied legal support to EnergyCo’s diverse client base:

be embedded in project teams delivering some of the largest procurement processes in Australia for network infrastructure,
advise on access schemes connecting gigawatts of new generation and storage,
support regulatory reform and legislative amendment for new energy policy initiatives,
facilitate legal services across property, planning, procurement and community aspects of each project,
contribute to the day-to-day legal and governance needs of EnergyCo, its Executive and Board.

Your work will directly influence the state's transition to a more sustainable and secure energy future.

About You
You are a proactive and strategic legal professional with a sharp eye for detail and a talent for balancing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. A creative and critical thinker, you bring strong initiative and exceptional organisational skills, enabling you to deliver high-quality legal work while managing complex, multifaceted issues. Your ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders sets you apart, and you are someone who is confident communicating and collaborating across both government and private sector partners.

You bring demonstrated expertise in commercial transactions, ideally in the energy sector. Your experience spans one or more specialist areas such as:

energy law (particularly under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 and the National Electricity Rules framework),
land acquisition for infrastructure, or complex commercial projects,
front or back-end projects or construction, including procurement processes,
disputes.

You have a solid grasp of administrative law, statutory interpretation, and understand government policy and legislative processes. This strong understanding gives you a platform to support high-profile legal and reform initiatives shaping the future of energy in NSW.


Essential Requirements

Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW and hold, or be eligible to hold, an NSW Practising Certificate.

For more information read the full Role Description: Principal Legal Officer

Who we are?
The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) is a statutory corporation established under the Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1+87 and governed by its Board, appointed by the Minister for Energy. EnergyCo is a Staff Agency employing all EnergyCo staff and is an agency related to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

EnergyCo plays a pivotal role in the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which aims to transform the state’s electricity system into one that is cheap, clean, and reliable. As Infrastructure Planner under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020, EnergyCo is responsible for leading the delivery of the State’s first five Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and the first two priority transmission infrastructure projects (PTIPs), which are located in the Central-West Orana, New England, South West, Hunter-Central Coast, and Illawarra regions. We work closely with communities, investors, and industry to investigate, plan, recommend and coordinate generation, storage and network infrastructure projects.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close Sunday 11th May 2025 at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Jacqui Fetchet, Special Counsel via jacqui.fetchet@dpie.nsw.gov.au

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
How we encourage and support people with disability
Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing dcceew.ta@dpie.nsw.gov.au or contacting Amy Clifton Talent Acquisition Specialist on amy.clifton@dpie.nsw.gov.au or on 02 4+27 3146 (please mention reference number 542276).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn

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