Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?
Together, we create thriving environments, communities, and economies.
1. Play a key role in helping NSW deliver clean, reliable, and affordable renewable energy across the state.
2. Be part of a supportive, high-performing and award-winning legal team
3. Ongoing full-time opportunity
4. NSW Location negotiable/Office location – 20 Bond Street, Sydney/Hybrid working supported
5. Planning Officer 2 - Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $129,331 to $138,427 + super
EnergyCo Legal team) within the Office of Energy and Climate Change ( OECC ) is seeking a Senior Legal Officer to join the team and deliver high quality legal services to EnergyCo.
The Senior Legal Officer will work as a key member of the EnergyCo Legal team specialising in providing transactional, commercial and regulatory legal advice relating to the electricity sector in NSW, implementation of the Roadmap and the NSW Electricity Strategy and other legal matters relevant to EnergyCo
About the Opportunity
The EnergyCo Legal team was established in 2022 to support the broad work of EnergyCo. EnergyCo plays a significant and strategic role in the implementation of the Roadmap, one of the most complex and transformational reforms to the NSW economy and electricity system. EnergyCo Legal is a high performing team – the team was awarded ‘Australian In-House Team of the Year’ at the Australasian Law Awards 2023 and was also shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Government Team of the Year’ category of the 2023 Lawyers Weekly Corporate Counsel Awards.
EnergyCo has a unique stewardship role in leading one of the central tenets of NSW's economic policy agenda – ensuring the state leads the way on climate change and seizes the opportunities from the energy transformation to a new low-cost, cleaner economy. The NSW Government's response to the recent 2023 ‘Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up’ led by Cameron O’Reilly ( O’Reilly Review ) confirmed that the NSW Government will formally make the electricity system transition a strategic whole-of government priority, with EnergyCo at the core of delivering the infrastructure NSW needs.
The O’Reilly Review and NSW Government’s response reinforced that EnergyCo is the Roadmap’s delivery-focused organisation, with primary responsibility for designing, planning and procuring network infrastructure to coordinate generation and storage investment in the State’s renewable energy zones in a way that fosters support from local communities. As EnergyCo focuses on infrastructure and project planning and delivery, the EnergyCo Legal team will continue to work with the Energy, Climate Change & Sustainability Group ( ECCS ) within OECC who is responsible for the overarching governance and development and implementation of policies and programs under the Roadmap to enable the transition of the electricity system.
EnergyCo Legal’s recent and current portfolio of matters, while challenging in complexity and volume, has had a significant impact on the everyday life of NSW citizens. The EnergyCo Legal team has supported EnergyCo to procure the delivery of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest network battery, produced regulations that reform the NSW electricity sector to 2050, supported the establishment of the $2 billion Transmission Acceleration Facility and advised on the declaration of five REZs across NSW. Each of these projects directly contributes to the NSW Government’s goal of achieving net zero emissions across the economy by 2050 in response to climate change.
About You
You are a trusted expert advisor with a sound knowledge of the legal issues across the energy industry. You have proven experience drafting and reviewing legal documents including commercial contracts, statutory instruments, briefing notes, delegations, statutory appointments and orders.
You are confident collaborating with and influencing across all levels of an organisation to ensure optimal engagement and knowledge sharing. You take pride in undertaking thorough research and analysis to provide options, make recommendations on complex matters and develop solutions to support decision making and achieve positive client outcomes.
Key knowledge and experience
Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
6. Energy law – especially the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 (and regulations made under that Act), National Electricity Law and National Electricity Rules and/or other NSW-specific energy legislation.
7. Commercial law – complex transactions in the energy and/or infrastructure sectors.
8. Administrative law or experience in the policy-making and legislative process.
Essential requirements
9. 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.
EnergyCo is responsible for leading the delivery of more than 14 gigawatts of new transmission capacity, coordinated with renewable energy and storage, including in five new REZs and two priority transmission infrastructure projects to date.
EnergyCo is responsible for the on-ground infrastructure needed to bring new renewable energy online at the scale and speed to meet our transformation objectives in the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 and NSW Network Infrastructure Strategy.
Talent Pool
A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process. A talent pool represents a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role or similar roles and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.
10. An up-to-date resume detailing your knowledge, skills, and experience in relation to the role.
11. A cover letter that explains your alignment with the Key Knowledge & Experience and Essential Requirements as shown in the attached Role Description.
Contact in confidence
Eligibility
Our Commitment to Diversity and Flexibility
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve through an inclusive and flexible workplace.
People with a disability are supported to access adjustments in recruitment processes and the workplace. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, we welcome hearing from you.
Close of applications: Sunday 18 February 2024 at 11:55PM