Senior Solicitor at Environmental Protection Authority, Wellington

As New Zealand's environmental regulator, the work we do today helps shape the future of our tomorrow

Our purpose | To tatou kaupapa 

We are the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Aotearoa New Zealand’s independent environmental regulator. Our role is important: to help protect our country’s unique way of life by looking out for the health of its environment, its economy and its people.  

Our kaupapa is about making the right decisions based on evidence, mātauranga, and science. At the EPA, we encourage big ideas and bold goals.  

What we achieve today helps shape the future of New Zealand for generations to come.  

Come join us 

We welcome you to join us on our journey to a healthy environment that benefits us all. 

Jump in the waka - make history with us. 

About our group | Mō te roopu 

Our Legal Group helps to bring the EPA’s vision to life by guiding the EPA in delivering on its regulatory and legal responsibilities and strategic direction.  

Our kaupapa helps the EPA to protect the environment by providing solution focused advice, as the EPA’s trusted advisors, on legal issues associated with the EPA’s wide-ranging statutory functions.  

The protection of the environment sits at the heart of every decision we make. We’re a passionate and connected crew, who put in the mahi to achieve meaningful outcomes for our people and the environment.   

Senior Solicitor 

About the role | Mō te tūnga  

• We are looking for an experienced Senior Solicitor with a minimum of 5 years’ experience to seamlessly slot into our busy team with their collaborative and open style and who will positively work alongside our clients in a collegial manner to come up with well thought out, practical solutions.   

• The Senior Solicitor will report to a Lead Solicitor and work alongside technical experts to achieve EPA’s strategic objectives. The successful candidate will be a strong team-player and have the ability to provide a high level of timely, accurate and solutions-focused legal advice, support the development of junior members of the team and be proactively involved in a range of EPA’s key areas of work. 

About you | Mōhou ake  

We are looking for someone with a range of skills and experience – if you have some or all of the below, we would love to hear from you. 

• 5+ years’ experience PQE as a lawyer  

• Senior level experience, preferably within a regulatory environment     

• Experience advising on matters relating to public law 

• Experience providing legal advice on the management of civil litigation or criminal prosecutions, including providing instruction to external counsel in the daily management of cases 

• Excellent analytical skills and ability to provide accurate, timely, practical, solutions-focused legal advice  

• A proven ability to effectively handle competing priorities and tight timeframes 

• Ability to proactively identify, and appropriately record and communicate, legal risks for the EPA 

• Strong problem-solving skills including the ability to think laterally and apply knowledge to multifaceted scenarios 

• Highly developed communication and influencing skills with good relationship management  

What’s in it for you | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou 

There are extra benefits to working at the EPA: 

• flexible working culture 

• three paid ‘Board holidays’ in addition to four weeks’ annual leave 

• $400 gross payment to help you set up working at home 

• an annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives 

• in-house Māori cultural capability building programme 

• learning opportunities, including the annual Science Symposium  

• active and lively social club, and diverse groups and support networks  

• EPA awards recognising individual and team effort 

• relocation help for those moving to New Zealand from overseas.  

Salary range 

Senior Solicitor $97,738 - $146,608 per annum (midpoint $122,173).  

This is the full salary range. Appointments are made within the range depending on skills and experience. 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono  

Complete the online application form and submit your CV and a covering letter.  

View the Senior Solicitor Position description  

Please note: your covering letter is an important part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your experience relates to this role, and why you applied. Tell us about you, your values and/or whakapapa.  

For more information, please contact recruit@epa.govt.nz or check out the careers section of our website www.epa.govt.nz/careers. 

Applications close | Rā Katinga  

Application submission will close 1 November 2024 @ 5pm. Applications will be viewed as received, and job posting may therefore close earlier.