Walgett Shire Council

Principal Advisor – Legislative Compliance

• Play a key role in strengthening Council’s legislative compliance, governance and probity standards across a diverse and complex organisation.
• Work directly with the General Manager and senior leaders on high impact legal, governance, procurement, contract and reform issues.
• No 2 days will be the same, identify issues, interpret legislation, build practical solutions and help embed meaningful change.
• Fixed term contract for up to 2 years, with generous benefits, 5 weeks annual leave, flex time arrangements.

About the role:

Walgett Shire Council is seeking a capable and adaptable professional to take on the role of Principal Advisor - Legislative Compliance.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, this is a senior specialist role with broad exposure across the organisation. The position will play a key role in helping Council strengthen its legislative compliance, governance, corporate risk and probity standards in a complex, highly regulated and fast moving local government environment.

The role is hands-on and varied. It will involve identifying issues, interpreting legislative and regulatory requirements, reviewing current practices, and working with the relevant teams to develop and implement practical, lawful and fit for purpose solutions. The successful candidate will contribute across a wide range of areas, including delegations, procurement, contracts, property and leasing matters, administrative law decision making, planning and regulatory interpretation, employment related compliance, governance frameworks, policy uplift and organisational reform.

The position will also assist in building internal capability by developing guidance, improving systems and processes, and supporting staff training in areas such as lawful decision making, probity, governance and compliance.

No 2 days are likely to be the same. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, can work across strategic and operational issues, and is motivated by helping an organisation identify risk, improve practice and embed meaningful change.

During the term of the appointment, the successful candidate will also undertake the functions of Public Officer and Code of Conduct Officer, and may be allocated other statutory, governance or authorised officer responsibilities from time to time. Where the successful candidate holds a current NSW Practising Certificate, the role will also include the provision of internal legal advice within the scope of the position.

About you:

• Demonstrated experience interpreting legislation, identifying compliance obligations and providing practical advice in a complex and regulated environment.
• Strong ability to identify issues, assess risk, develop workable solutions and support the implementation of change.
• Highly developed written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate and well reasoned advice, reports, policies, procedures and guidance material.
• Sound judgement, initiative and problem solving skills, with the ability to work across diverse subject matter and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to build productive working relationships with senior leaders, managers and staff, and to work collaboratively to achieve outcomes.
• Strong understanding of governance, corporate risk, probity and accountability principles.
• Capacity to assist in improving probity standards across areas such as procurement, contracts, governance and decision making.
• Ability to assist with staff training, guidance and capability uplift in legislative compliance, governance, probity and related areas.
• Professionalism and discretion in dealing with confidential, sensitive and politically nuanced matters.
• Adaptable, practical and solutions focused, with the ability to respond to changing organisational priorities and work across a broad and evolving range of issues.
• Tertiary qualifications in law, governance, compliance, public administration, business or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated knowledge and experience.
• Experience in local government, government or another complex regulated environment will be highly regarded.
• Admission as an Australian lawyer, and eligibility to hold or current possession of a NSW Practising Certificate, will be highly regarded.

At Walgett Shire Council, we understand that not every candidate will meet every criterion, and that is perfectly fine—your passion and potential matter most to us.

The full position description can be viewed byclicking here.

For further information or discussion about the position, contact our People & Culture Team on 02 6828 6100 during business hours.

What we offer:

• Salary of between $109,766 - $148,355 (including 10% overtime allowance) per annum, plus 12% superannuation.
• Flex-leave entitlements
• Private use vehicle or vehicle allowance of $6,240 per annum
• A heavily subsidised house or a housing allowance of $10,400 per annum
• 5 weeks annual leave
• A significant salary, vehicle allowance and housing allowance increase this July

About us:

Walgett Shire Council serves a large, diverse and unique region in north western New South Wales. We provide a broad range of services across multiple communities and are committed to improving service delivery, strengthening long term sustainability and delivering practical outcomes for our residents.

At Walgett Shire Council, our people make a real difference. We offer varied and meaningful work, the opportunity to contribute across a complex organisation, and the chance to be part of a Council that is actively improving how it operates. We are guided by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Ethical Conduct, Courage, Honesty, Accountability and Responsibility.

This is an opportunity to join an organisation where the work is varied, the challenges are real, and the right person can make a genuine impact.

For more information about Walgett pleaseclick here.

How to apply:

To apply, complete the online application form and attach your current resume.A cover letter is highly regarded. All correspondence regarding your application will be sent via email.

Applications must include responses to the questions and a current resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Further information regarding the online application process may be obtained by contacting Council’s People and Culture Team on 02 6828 6100 during business hours or via email[email protected]

Closing date for applications:

Applications close at 9.00 am onWednesday, 20 May 2026.

Council reserves the right to close, withdraw or extend vacancies without prior notice.

Walgett Shire Council is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse persons, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.