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.Full time and Part-time staff receive:11% Superannuation17.5% Leave Loading5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leaveOnly 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.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: $78,402.32 – $84,357.55 (VALS CPB 1.1 – 1.4) depending on experience, plus Superannuation. Only applications that send a document addressing the key selection criteria will be accepted. Office Locations: – Werribee – Warrnambool – Mildura – Shepparton – Bendigo – 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. 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 databases.Full Time Fixed Term until 30th of June 2025 (likely extension) Office Location 273 High Street, Preston, 3072 Additional Benefits: 17.5% Leave LoadingOnly required to work 35 hours per week.Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips.Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia.Overview: The PML has responsibility for the strategic development and operational management of the Wirraway specialist litigation unit consistent with VALS strategic objectives. This includes day-to-day responsibility for supervising and coordinating the work and staff resources of the specialist litigation unit. This includes lawyers with specific specialisms and paralegal staff. As a small team, legal practitioners work flexibly across the portfolio of files to ensure consistency and resilience within the unit.The PML is a file holder, although they have fewer files in recognition of their strategic and operational management responsibilities. This includes managing the day-to-day operations of the unit and developing the skills and expertise of staff through ongoing 1:1 and team mentoring, supervision and casework planning and strategy development.This role works closely with the Policy and Communications team to build awareness, support VALS advocacy and case-work and to contribute to proposals that support funding the unit. The role also works collaboratively with diverse VALS staff and external stakeholders to ensure effective and culturally safe support for clients and prospective clients and to further VALS strategic aims.Key Selection: Relevant qualification in Law and admission to the Supreme Court of Victoria, with a current unrestricted practicing certificate and not less than 5 years PAE.High level advocacy and legal skills with demonstrated experience of appearing on behalf of relevant parties in the Coroners, Magistrates and Higher Court jurisdictions in all stages of the legal proceedings in criminal law and civil litigation relating to misconduct by members of Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria and other relevant Government entities.In depth knowledge of legislation pertaining to criminal law and civil litigation with a focus on police torts.Demonstrated high level conceptual, analytical and negotiation skills to achieve desired results.Strong management skills and experience of managing, mentoring and developing legal practitioners.Highly developed interpersonal, presentation, verbal and written communication and partnership development skills. This includes with diverse stakeholders, including VALS colleagues, members of the judiciary, partner organisations and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community members experiencing significant anxiety and stress as part of traumatic client work and proceedings.Capability to provide independent, strategic specialist legal advice and guidance to VALS lawyers and community justice teams on complex legal matters and or policy issues impacting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.Knowledge and understanding of the social, legal and justice issues including abuse and systemic racism faced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.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. 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 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.Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role.#J-18808-Ljbffr