$100,000 - $115,000 depending on experience
Salary Offering: $100K – 115K depending on experience plus 11% Superannuation 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 This role is full-time fixed term until 30 June 2025 (aligned with the funding cycle) Application ends on 13th December 2024. 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. 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. Participate in the on call after hours roster to provide emergency advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, prioritizing legal assistance to those 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. Participate in ongoing training and staff development and act professionally at all times, upholding VALS values. 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. 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. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS: Copy of your current Employee Working with Children Card . 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 Australian Driver's Licence . HOW TO APPLY: To apply for this opportunity, 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. Your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees. Please submit your application to using the subject line: POSITION TITLE: (Location Choice) 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.
Your application will include the following questions:
How many years' experience do you have as a Practice Leader? Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia? Which of the following Microsoft Office products are you experienced with? How many years' experience do you have in a training & development role? Do you have a current Police Check (National Police Certificate) for employment? Do you have customer service experience? Do you have a current Working With Children (WWC) Check? #J-18808-Ljbffr