Senior Solicitor

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 responsibilities and strategic direction. 

Our kaupapa helps the EPA to protect the environment within the ambit of the law by providing solution focused advice, as the EPA’s trusted advisors, on legal issues associated with the EPA’s 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.  

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 the 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 to best suit everyone.  The successful candidate will have the ability to provide a high level of timely, accurate and solution focussed legal advice at all times on issues associated with our statutory functions. 

EPA is part of the environmental regulatory system in Aotearoa, protecting and enhancing our way of life.  The type of work you could be involved in is varied and interesting and you could be tackling such issues as emissions trading, pesticide use, genetically modified organisms, nationally significant infrastructure projects, marine consents for oil, gas and seabed mining activities or fast track consenting.  You’ll also provide advice on broader public law issues, including matters relating to the Crown Entities Act, compliance and litigation, procurement and other corporate service matters.  

About you | Mōhou ake  

If you have some or all the skills and capabilities below, we would love to hear from you: 

• 5+ years’ experience PQE as a lawyer    

• Senior level experience advising on matters relating to public law, litigation and contracts 

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

• Ability to proactively identify, and appropriately communicate and manage, 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 a range of benefits for our people: 

• flexible working culture, this is a hybrid role based in our Wellington office. 

• three additional paid leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave 

• $400 non-taxable 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 EPA Symposium  

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

• EPA awards recognising individual and team effort 

Salary range | $103,473 - $155,209 (midpoint $129,341) This is the full salary range. Appointments are made within the range depending on skills and experience. 

This is the full salary range. Appointments will likely be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience. An appointment at the midpoint assumes 100% competency in the role, with the full band covering a range of 80% - 120%.