Why work at VALS?
Join the best
VALS is made up of Victoria’s most committed legal advocates, professionals and support staff who work to advance Aboriginal self-determination and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria of all ages.
We know that our people make the difference. VALS is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion. We celebrate our team of diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+ and individuals from different cultures, language groups and experiences.
Grow, develop and be rewarded
You will have:
- Opportunities to work on diverse matters and gain significant experience.
- Opportunities to develop your own expertise and collaborate with colleagues and partners in projects, policy and legal reform
- Access to generous staff benefits such as salary packaging options, flexible working arrangement, TOIL, pre-purchased leave, paid parental, carer and cultural leave and much more.
- 11% Superannuation
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging is available via Maxxia11
Available positions
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated positions
These positions are classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, and only available to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Salary Offering $75,566.40 – $81,317.60
OVERVIEW:
The Baggarrook Woman’s Transitional Housing Program “Program” has been established to assist eligible Aboriginal woman who have been released from prison to make a successful reintegration into the community after their release.
The Program incorporates six transitional houses and post release support to Aboriginal woman exiting prison, with VALS and Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) working together to deliver the program.
VALS Baggarrook Program Officers work 1:1 with women participants to support their goals and pursuit of suitable long-term housing and independence. This includes working in partnership with other agencies, including culturally safe health providers, housing services, family violence programs, drug and alcohol services and community groups.
Office Locations: High Street, Preston and frequent travel to Braybrook hub.
This role is full-time fixed term until 30 AUG 2024.
This position may require regional and very occasional interstate travel.
What A Day as A Baggarrook Program Officer Looks Like:
The Baggarrook Woman’s Transitional Housing Program “Program” has been established to assist eligible Aboriginal woman who have been released from prison to make a successful reintegration into the community after their release.
The Program incorporates six transitional houses and post release support to Aboriginal woman exiting prison, with VALS and Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) working together to deliver the program.
VALS Baggarrook Program Officers work 1:1 with women participants to support their goals and pursuit of suitable long-term housing and independence. This includes working in partnership with other agencies, including culturally safe health providers, housing services, family violence programs, drug and alcohol services and community groups. .
Key Selection Criteria
- Excellent relationship building skills with people with complex needs and behaviours such as trauma, alcohol, drugs and disabilities.
- Experience of working 1:1 with service users, ideally service users with complex needs.
- A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system and an understanding of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities.
- Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to work in a multi-skilled environment.
- Good computing skills.
Desirable
- Demonstrated experience and/or qualifications in case management.
- Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, ideally with an Aboriginal community controlled organisation.
Salary Offering $34.63 + 25% Casual Loading
Additional Benefits
- Flexible Working arrangements
- Salary Packaging through Maxxia
This is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander identified position (special provisions of the s12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act.
This is a casual position
Overview of CNO Service
The CNS is a 24 hour/7 day per week service. CNOs receive notifications about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people entering police custody, which includes all custodial settings such as hospitals and police cars. CNOs contact the person in custody and conduct a rapid conversational assessment to help determine appropriate next steps. This includes providing 2 regular and ongoing phone calls to check on the Aboriginal person’s welfare, advocacy to ensure that an Aboriginal person’s health and social care needs are properly met and liaising with partners such as the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel (ACJP) who conduct in-person welfare checks at 13 locations around Victoria.
The Custody Notification Officer acts as liaison between the VALS Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons taken into custody by the police.
Key Responsibilities
1. Respond to e-justice notifications, the on-call Client Support Officer (CSO), the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel (ACJP) or Victoria Police when advised that an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is being held in custody;
2. Contact the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person in custody, provide basic information, conduct a welfare check and coordinate for legal advice from the VALS oncall solicitor. Reassure the client and explain legal terminology and processes used by the police and legal profession, not using legal jargon. Where appropriate, take notes of the history of the client’s case and provide them to the solicitor;
3. Liaise and network with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and agencies to promote VALS and be aware of programs that will assist in the prevention or reduction of crime within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community;
4. Liaise with police and other persons within the justice system to ensure delivery of a culturally relevant service;
5. Perform administrative tasks to ensure effective service delivery to VALS clients, including updating records, providing activity reports and attending staff meetings
6. As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.
Key Section Criteria
1. A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system and an understanding of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities;
2. Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills;
3. The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment;
4. Intermediate computer skills, with demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software.
Key Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated advocacy, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills including in effectively engaging communities in policy or advocacy development.
- Well-developed policy and analytical skills
- Ability to work autonomously and to collaborate in a small team environment
- High level organisational and administrative skills including the ability to prioritise workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software
- Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed.
This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
This employment opportunity is only available to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Salary Offering: $75,566.40 – $81,317.60 (VALS CPB 1.1 – 1.4) depending on experience, plus Superannuation
Only applications that send a document addressing the key selection creteria will be accepted.
Additional Benefits:
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging is available via Maxxia
Office Locations:
-West Melbourne – Werribee
– Head Office- 273 High Street Preston, 3072
This role is full-time fixed term until 30 June 2025.
This position will require regional and very occasional interstate travel.
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
As CSO you will act as a liaison between VALS and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people interacting with the justice system.
The CSO helps address barriers Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people face in engaging with criminal, family and civil justice processes. CSOs have an educational role in crime prevention and reduction, and in conjunction with other facilities, offer alternative programs to Aboriginal communities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Respond to e-justice notifications, the on-call CSO, the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel (ACJP) or Victoria Police when advised that an Aboriginal person is being held in custody;
- Contact the Aboriginal person in custody, provide basic information and exercise discretion as to whether the on-call solicitor should be contacted. Reassure the client and explain legal terminology and processes used by the police and legal profession, not using legal jargon. Where appropriate, take notes of the history of the client’s case and provide them to the solicitor;
- Attend court to support the client and the solicitor; and as directed, lodge all necessary court documents;
- Liaise and network with other Aboriginal organisations to promote VALS and be aware of programs that help prevent or reduce crime within Victorian Aboriginal communities;
- Liaise with police and other persons within the justice system to ensure delivery of a culturally relevant service;
- Represent VALS at various meetings and report back on those meetings to VALS management;
- Perform a range of administrative tasks to ensure the effective delivery of services to VALS clients. This includes providing activity reports on a timely basis, attending staff meetings as required, and ensuring that data is entered into the VALS client management system
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
- A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system;
- An understanding of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities and a commitment to and understanding of Victorian Aboriginal culture and community, and the ability to communicate effectively with members of those communities;
- Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills;
- The ability to work in a multi-skilled environment;
- Excellent computer skills, including experience with working with data bases
Positions open to all applicants
Salary Offering: $81,317.60 – $87,377.11
(VALS LB 1.1 – 1.7) depending on experience
2 roles available – Applications close 3rd of May 2024
Additional Benefits:
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging is available via Maxxia
Office Locations: High Street, Preston
This role is full-time fixed term for 24 months
This position may require regional and very occasional interstate travel.
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
As VALS Criminal Lawyer you will provide high quality legal services, including duty lawyer services, representation, advice and information in criminal law matters to members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Victoria.
This role will involve occasionally helping with night phone duties (outside of regular work hours)
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria.
- Sound interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
- A commitment to and understanding of the legal issues faced by members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community in Victoria.
Salary Offering: $120,000 plus 11% Superannuation
Additional Benefits:
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 28 or 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging is available via Maxxia
Office Locations: 273 High Street, Preston, Vic, 3072
This role is part time or full time until 30th of June 2025
This position may require regional and very occasional interstate travel.
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
The role of Managing Lawyer (ML), Civil Law, is to assist the PML in managing
the day-to-day delivery of a high quality, culturally safe legal service to
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients. You will be overseeing and directly managing in partnership with the PML Junior Lawyers, Senior Lawyers, Paralegals & Legal Secretaries.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
- A current, unrestricted Victorian Practising Certificate, with
demonstrated advanced post admission experience – in Civil Law Matters - Comprehensive understanding of Issues Aboriginal people face in relation to the delivery of legal service.
- Previous management or supervising experience. (particularly in a civil law setting)
- Able to demonstrate operational planning
- Highly developed verbal & written communication skills (with a strong emphasis on presentation)
- Able to provide strategic specialist legal advice and guidance to lawyers and other teams on complex legal matter
Salary Offering $94,458 – $98,625.80 (depending on experience)
Plus superannuation (currently 11%)
Located 150 Commercial Road, Morwell, Vic 3840
Full Time Fixed Term until 30th of June 2025
Additional Benefits:
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia
Overview
The Senior Youth Outreach Lawyer will work closely with the VALS Community Justice Program in order to provide high quality legal assistance and deliver community legal education for Aboriginal children and young people.
Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibility
- Plan and deliver a quality legal service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth including appearing as a senior advocate on behalf of clients in various courts including the Children’s Court Criminal Division, Magistrates’ Court and Koori Courts.
- Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and contribute to the organisation through the delivery of professional legal education and training.
- Ability to act in the Principal Managing Lawyer (PML) position in a higher duties capacity when required.
- Participate in, and as required plan and deliver community legal education (CLE) projects, law reform and other VALS projects.
- Participate in weekly case-planning meetings.
- Maintain positive and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including Victorian Legal Aid, pro bono law firms, the Victorian Bar, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and other agencies in the legal and non-legal sectors.
- Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by engaging in continuous professional development relevant to the justice system.
- Maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly young people.
- Be prepared to travel across Victoria to provide legal assistance to Balit Ngulu clients and deliver community legal education. Sometimes this travel will occur outside of usual business hours.
- Engage positively with VALS colleagues and always remain professional. This includes upholding VALS values, operating consistent with VALS policies and procedures and participating in all staff training.
- Undertake other duties as directed which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.
Key section Criteria
Essential
- A commitment to and understanding of the youth legal issues faced by members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Communities in Victoria.
- Capacity to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex matters and deliver Community Legal Education.
- The ability to work collaboratively with others and to foster a co-operative and supportive team environment.
- Sound interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
- A knowledge of the principles and values of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.
- Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed.
- Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software. The capacity to quickly acquire competency in the of VALS’s client data base (ActionStep).
- Experience working in the non-profit sector.
- At least 3+ years experience as a legal practitioner, with demonstrated capability to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex matters involving children and young people.
- Applicants with less than 3 years are encouraged to apply and title application as ‘Youth Outreach Lawyer – Balit Ngulu’
Salary Offering $94,458 – $98,625.80 (depending on experience)
Plus superannuation (currently 11%)
Located 150 Commercial Road, Morwell, Vic 3840
Full Time Fixed Term until 30th of June 2025
Additional Benefits:
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia
Overview
The Senior Youth Outreach Lawyer will work closely with the VALS Community Justice Program in order to provide high quality legal assistance and deliver community legal education for Aboriginal children and young people.
Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibility
- Plan and deliver a quality legal service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth including appearing as a senior advocate on behalf of clients in various courts including the Children’s Court Criminal Division, Magistrates’ Court and Koori Courts.
- Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and contribute to the organisation through the delivery of professional legal education and training.
- Ability to act in the Principal Managing Lawyer (PML) position in a higher duties capacity when required.
- Participate in, and as required plan and deliver community legal education (CLE) projects, law reform and other VALS projects.
- Participate in weekly case-planning meetings.
- Maintain positive and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including Victorian Legal Aid, pro bono law firms, the Victorian Bar, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and other agencies in the legal and non-legal sectors.
- Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by engaging in continuous professional development relevant to the justice system.
- Maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly young people.
- Be prepared to travel across Victoria to provide legal assistance to Balit Ngulu clients and deliver community legal education. Sometimes this travel will occur outside of usual business hours.
- Engage positively with VALS colleagues and always remain professional. This includes upholding VALS values, operating consistent with VALS policies and procedures and participating in all staff training.
- Undertake other duties as directed which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.
Key section Criteria
Essential
- A commitment to and understanding of the youth legal issues faced by members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Communities in Victoria.
- Capacity to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex matters and deliver Community Legal Education.
- The ability to work collaboratively with others and to foster a co-operative and supportive team environment.
- Sound interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
- A knowledge of the principles and values of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.
- Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed.
- Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software. The capacity to quickly acquire competency in the of VALS’s client data base (ActionStep).
- Experience working in the non-profit sector.
- At least 3+ years experience as a legal practitioner, with demonstrated capability to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex matters involving children and young people.
- Applicants with less than 3 years are encouraged to apply and title application as ‘Youth Outreach Lawyer – Balit Ngulu’.
Desired
- A member, or eligible to be a member, of Victoria Legal Aid’s Youth Crime practitioner panel.
- An LIV Accredited Specialist (Children’s Law, Criminal Law or Family Law)
- Experience working in the not-for-profit sector
Applications close 15th of March 2024
Salary Offering VALS LC 1.1 – 1.3 $94,458 – $98,625.80
Office Location 273 High Street Preston, Vic, 3072
This role is a fulltime fixed term role until 30 June 2025
Additional Benefits:
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia
OVERVIEW
The Senior Lawyer will provide legal advice and representation to Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people in police and prison accountability matters. This includes representing people who have been abused and/or mistreated by members of Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria or other government agencies. This also includes representing families in coronial inquests into Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody and police contact deaths.
Key responsibilities
- Providing high quality, culturally safe and trauma informed legal information, advice, assistance and representation to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in police and prison accountability matters, including:
- Coronial investigations and inquests into deaths in police or prison custody;
- Civil litigation involving Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria, Youth Justice or other government agencies;
- Criminal matters defended on the basis of police illegality or impropriety;
- Police and prison complaints;
- Strategic litigation.
- Liaison and high-level negotiation with the Coroner’s Court, Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria, legal assistance providers and wide-ranging services, including related to corrections and community health, child protection, drug and alcohol and family violence.
- Work closely with the Policy, Communications and Strategy team to prepare advice and support policy and law reform work in areas relating to police and prison accountability.
- Work closely with the Community Justice Program team to develop and deliver community legal education across Victoria.
- Provide guidance and advice in both written and oral form to the other practice areas within VALS Legal Services.
- Increase professional development outcomes through internal training and development opportunities, working with relevant legal teams and stakeholders.
- Establish effective and productive partnerships with Aboriginal and mainstream services and other support organisations.
Key Selection Criteria
Essential
• A relevant qualification in Law and be eligible to practice law in Victoria. the candidate must have at least 3 years post qualification experience as a lawyer with an unsupervised practising certificate.
• High level advocacy and legal skills with knowledge of, and experience representing and/or appearing on behalf of relevant parties in Victorian courts and tribunals.
• Capability to manage a caseload of matters across a range of practice areas.
• A commitment to understanding VALS and the social, legal and justice issues faced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with an ability to develop productive relationships with clients, as well as internal and external stakeholders including members of Aboriginal communities, Courts, Judiciary, support services and Government Departments.
• Ability and willingness to undertake travel in Victoria.
Desired
• Experience representing clients in coronial inquests, civil litigation involving Victoria Police and Corrections Victoria, Youth Justice and/or criminal law matters.
• Experience of work within Aboriginal legal services, Victorian Legal Aid and/or community legal centres.
• Experience in legal policy development and commitment to driving and influencing change on relevant policy priorities and emerging issues.
• Experience in courtroom advocacy
Salary Offering: $100,000 – $115,000 depending on experience plus 11% Superannuation
This position is full time 30th of June 2025
Locations hiring for:
West Melbourne – Werribee
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
As Regional Practice Lead, you will have 4+ years of practical experience in criminal law and act as a lead advocate for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people interacting with the criminal justice system.
This position will:
- Provide high quality legal services in Criminal Law matters, including duty lawyer services, representation, advice and information to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
- Engage with Aboriginal community stakeholders to identify key community legal education (CLE) needs relevant to the regional and local context.
- Link with, and oversee the development of, partnerships and referral and support pathways within the region you’re assigned in, to assist VALS clients with access to other legal assistance and services relevant to them. This includes oversight of Aboriginal client service officers (CSOs) and administrative support based at the each VALS regional hub.
The role holder will have the endorsement or is eligible to become a Panel Certifier on Victorian Legal Aid (VLA) Criminal Law Panel.
Key Responsibilities:
- Appear as a senior advocate in various courts including the Children’s Court Criminal Division, Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Koori Courts in order to represent clients of VALS
- Deliver a quality legal service by conducting casework in criminal law matters, including serious indictable matters, for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients in the Barwon South West region.
- As a back-up, participate in the on call after hours roster to provide emergency advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria. As a priority, providing legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in police custody
- Prepare and comply with applications for grants of legal assistance and reporting requirements for matters eligible for VLA funding.
- Participate in case-planning meetings with the criminal law section weekly
- Partner with service providers and Aboriginal community stakeholders in the region to plan and deliver CLE and professional legal education.
- Oversee the work of CSOs within the team including in 1:1 assistance to clients and in developing referral pathways and partnerships relevant to VALS clients.
- Develop collaborative relationships with VLA and other community legal centres and service providers with which VALS interacts.
- Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures and maintain an understanding of issues, risks and trends impacting upon the provision of legal services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
- Participates in ongoing training and staff development and acts and remains professional at all times, upholding VALS values.
- As directed, undertake other duties as directed which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence, and training.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria and in the High Court of Australia (with an unrestricted practising certificate)
- Capability to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex criminal law matters, with knowledge of, and practical experience in the law and court procedures within the criminal law jurisdiction
- Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and volunteers and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in criminal law
- Sound interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and more broadly with multidisciplinary colleagues and VALS partners
- A commitment to and understanding of VALS and the legal issues faced by members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria
- Basic competency in the use of MS Office Software (particularly MS Word, Excel, E-mail) and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of VALS’ client management system.
Desirable:
- Member or eligible to be a Victoria Legal Aid Panel member for summary, indictable and youth matters
- Accredited Criminal Law Specialist
- Experience working in the non-profit sector.
Please find information on how to apply below.
Salary Offering: $100,000 – $115,000 depending on experience plus 11% Superannuation
Locations Hiring for:
Bendigo – 279 Hargreaves Street
Morwell – 150 Commericial Road
Full time until 30th of June 2025
Additional Benefits:
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia
OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
As Regional Practice Lead for Aboriginal Families Practice, you will have 4+ years of practical experience in family law and act as a lead advocate for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people interacting with the family law and child protection system across each region that you will be assign to. This position will:
- Provide high quality legal services in the family law, child protection and family violence jurisdictions; and appear in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Courts on behalf of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Engage with Aboriginal community stakeholders to identify, develop and deliver community legal education (CLE) and other types of Family Law assistance relevant to the regional and local context. This includes Family Law clinics for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people at the Hub office and other locations within the region you’re assigned in.
- Link with, and oversee the development of, partnerships and referral and support pathways within the region you’re assigned in, to assist VALS clients with access to other legal assistance and services relevant to them. This includes oversight of Aboriginal client service officers (CSOs) and administrative support based at each VALS regional hub.
The role holder will have the endorsement or is eligible to become a Panel Certifier on Victorian Legal Aid (VLA) Family Law Panel, albeit grants of aid will be approved through VALS headquarters.
Key Responsibilities:
- Appear as an advocate on behalf of VALS clients in Family Law proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Courts of Australia, and at other state-wide locations as required.
- Deliver high quality legal services, including information, advice and casework on behalf of VALS clients in Family Law matters and other related matters as required.
- Maintain a substantial caseload in Family Law matters.
- Prepare and comply with applications for grants of legal assistance and reporting requirements for matters eligible for VLA funding.’
- Attend, participate and contribute to the planning, service delivery and continuous improvement of the Family Law Practice and VALS.
- Contribute to VALS projects, policy and law reform initiatives, and community and professional legal education programs as required.
- Contribute to the collaborative relationship with VLA and other community organisations with which VALS interacts.
- Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional legal education programs and maintain an understanding of issues, risks and trends impacting upon the provision of relevant legal services and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria and in the High Court of Australia (with an unrestricted practising certificate)
- Demonstrated ability to act as an advocate, deliver information, advice, casework and outreach services, and undertake negotiation and dispute resolution on behalf of VALS clients in Family Violence, Intervention Orders and, to a lesser extent, Family Law and Child Protection matters.
- Knowledge of, and 4+ years of practical experience in relevant Family Violence, Intervention Orders, Family Law and Child Protection law and procedure.
- Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and volunteers and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in Family Law;
- Sound interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and more broadly with multidisciplinary colleagues and VALS partners
- A commitment to and understanding of VALS and the legal issues faced by members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria;
- Competency in the use of MS Office Software (particularly MS Word, Excel, E-mail) and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of VALS’ client management system.
Please find information on how to apply below.
Salary Offering: $100,000 – $115,000
This position is full time for 30th of June 2025
Locations hiring for:
Bendigo – 279 Hargreaves Street
Morwell – 150 Commericial Road
Warrnambool – 173 Lava Street
West Melbourne – Werribee
Additional benefits
- 17.5% Leave Loading
- 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
- Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
- Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
- Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia
Overview
The Regional Practice Lead will have 4+ years of practical experience in civil law and act as a lead advocate for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people interacting with the civil justice system across region. This position will:
· Provide high quality legal services in Civil Law matters, including duty lawyer services, representation, advice and information to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
· Engage with Aboriginal community stakeholders to identify key community legal education (CLE) needs relevant to the regional and local context.
· Link with, and oversee the development of, partnerships and referral and support pathways within the Mildura region to assist VALS clients with access to other legal assistance and services relevant to them. This includes oversight of Aboriginal client service officers (CSOs) and administrative support based at the VALS Mildura Office.
The role holder will have the endorsement or is eligible to become a Panel Certifier on Victorian Legal Aid (VLA) Civil Law Panel.
Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibilities
· Deliver a quality legal service by conducting casework in Civil law matters, including serious indictable matters, for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients in the Mildura region.
· As a back-up, participate in the on call after hours roster to provide emergency advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria. As a priority, providing legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in police custody.
· Prepare and comply with applications for grants of legal assistance and reporting requirements for matters eligible for VLA funding.
· Participate in case-planning meetings with the civil law section weekly.
· Partner with service providers and Aboriginal community stakeholders in the region to plan and deliver CLE and professional legal education.
· Oversee the work of CSOs within the team including in 1:1 assistance to clients and in developing referral pathways and partnerships relevant to VALS clients.
· Develop collaborative relationships with VLA and other community legal centres and service providers with which VALS interacts.
· Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures and maintain an understanding of issues, risks and trends impacting upon the provision of legal services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
· Participates in ongoing training and staff development and acts and remains professional at all times, upholding VALS values.
· As directed, undertake other duties as directed which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence, and training.
The role holder will have the endorsement or is eligible to become a Panel Certifier on Victorian Legal Aid (VLA) Criminal Law Panel.
This role is full-time fixed term for 12 months.
This position may require regional and very occasional interstate travel.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
- · Admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria and in the High Court of Australia (with an unrestricted practising certificate).· Capability to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex civil law matters, with knowledge of, and practical experience in the law and court procedures within the civil law jurisdiction.· Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and volunteers and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in civil law.· Sound interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and more broadly with multidisciplinary colleagues and VALS partners.· A commitment to and understanding of VALS and the legal issues faced by members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria.· Basic competency in the use of MS Office Software (particularly MS Word, Excel, E-mail) and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of VALS’ client management system.
Desirable:
- Experience working in the non-profit sector.· Member or eligible to be a Victoria Legal Aid Panel member for summary, indictable and youth matters· Accredited Civil Law Specialist
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service frequently offers a number of employment opportunities within our Legal, Community Justice and Executive and Corporate Services.
If you are an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who is seeking to work with our organisation please send your current resume along with your preferred area/role and region (metro, Loddon, Barwon etc.)
To join our talent pool, please email jobs@vals.org.au. We will contact you as new opportunities arise.
How to apply
To apply for one of the above opportunities please provide:
- A covering letter outlining who you are and why you are suited to this position.
- A statement addressing each of the key selection criteria – applications submitted without a statement addressing the key selection criteria will not be accepted. Please note the key selection criteria is found within the position description.
- Your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees.
Please submit your application to jobs@vals.org.au using the subject line: POSITION TITLE
*Only successful applications will be contacted*
We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No (search) fee will be paid in the event we hire a candidate whose resume is submitted by an employment agency to any of our employees without a valid written recruitment agreement. Such resumes shall be deemed the sole property of VALS.
When offered a role at VALS
On offer of a position, it is mandatory for you to provide:
- Copy of your current Employee Working with Children Card.
- You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check.
- Up to date vaccination certificate or valid medical exemption
- Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e., a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate, or Immigration VISA documentation
- Current valid Victorian Driver’s Licence
- Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role