Join the Legal Services team at the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business as a Principal Lawyer and play a key role in shaping a newly established department. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will provide strategic, practical and independent legal advice on a with a focus on public law, disputes and litigation, employment and workplace health and safety matters.
Working closely with HR, senior leaders and external legal providers, you will lead significant matters, influence decision-making and help design fit-for-purpose systems and processes. This role offers high levels of autonomy, meaningful work that impacts a workforce of over 3,300 employees, and the opportunity to balance challenging legal work with genuine work–life balance.

Job details

Your responsibilities
As the Principal Lawyer you will:
• Provide strategic, practical and independent legal advice on a wide range of matters, with a focus on public law, disputes and litigation, employment and workplace health and safety matters.
• Provide clear and practical advice which can be readily adopted by internal stakeholders and engages appropriately with risk (both in the identification of risk and the development of strategies to help mitigate risk).
• Under supervision of the General Counsel, lead significant public law, disputes and litigation, employment and workplace health and safety law matters.
• Work closely with external legal providers and other internal stakeholders.
• Work with the General Counsel to help establish systems and processes for the management of matters.

What are we looking for?
The position requires an applicant who can demonstrate:
• Strong technical skills and experience in at least two of the following areas: public law, disputes and litigation, employment and workplace health and safety matters.
Excellent writing skills and the ability to provide clear and practical advice which engages appropriately with risk (including the development of strategies to help mitigate risk).
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead and deliver projects with internal stakeholders.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills. Legal Services is a new function within CDSB. A client focused mindset and ability to successfully build strong relationships with internal stakeholders is key.
• Experience (or an interest) in helping design new systems and processes.

Refer to the Role Description for a full list of responsibilities and what we are looking for.
Join our team - deliver excellence in customer service, make a difference and shape the future of Queensland. We celebrate diversity and invite applications from all backgrounds. For further information about this exciting opportunity, and how to apply, please see the attached Role Description.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.           

Job Ad Reference: QLD/691223/26 

Closing Date: Monday, 22 June 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• 691223 26 Role Description (Word, 5.39MB)