Salary Offering $78,402.32 - $84,357.55 (VALS CPB 1.1 - 1.4) plus 11.5% Superannuation

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.

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: 279 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo, Vic, 3550

This role is full-time fixed term until 30th of June 2025(renewal subject to ongoing funding for new financial year in July 2025)

Application ends on 4th April 2025.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The CSO is the key cultural interface between Aboriginal Community members, VALS’ lawyers’ and the court. The CSO helps address barriers Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people face in engaging with criminal, family and civil justice processes. The CSO works as a part of a multi-disciplinary team with lawyers, paralegals and other CSOs and administrative officers. Acting as the interface between clients, lawyers’ and court personnel to support the client to understand and navigate court proceedings and attend court as required, the CSO will assess clients’ non-legal needs.

Following the assessment of need, and identification of risk, the CSO provides short term intensive case work, whilst ensuring active/warm referrals for ongoing case management as needed. The CSO will work with external agencies as part of a care team to address client needs.

CSOs attend court as determined in each of the regional hubs and following safety assessments, undertake specific client contact, for example home visits / welfare checks / transporting clients. Each CSO will maintain an up to date an up-to-date knowledge of services and organisations in their region. In addition the CSO acts as the representative of VALS in and with the community and at external meetings, such as RAJACs. CSOs may provide input into VALS policy and advocacy work as requested.

WHAT A DAY AS A CLIENT SUPPORT OFFICER LOOKS LIKE:

1. Provide a case work response to assisting VALS clients including assessing needs and risk and collaborating with other services.
2. Attend court to support the client and the solicitor as needed in each region.
3. Provide transport assistance, undertake welfare checks, make warm referrals and advocate on the client’s behalf.
4. Reassure the client and explain legal terminology and processes used by the courts 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. Request supporting documentation on behalf of the client, and lodge court documents as required by lawyer.
5. Undertake community engagement activities, maintain knowledge base regarding local services, referral pathways and programs.
6. Liaise with relevant Government agencies and other persons within the legal system to ensure delivery of a culturally relevant service.
7. Represent VALS at various meetings and forums, and report back on those meetings to VALS management.
8. 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 case notes and data is entered into the VALS client management system.
9. Participate in ongoing training and staff development and act and remain 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.

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Compliance with all VALS values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion.
• Ensure appropriate use of resources.
• Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace.
• Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required)
• Maintain own self-care and wellbeing with support of line management.
• Promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management.
• Attend mandatory training sessions (ie. equal employment opportunity, health and safety, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Hold a certificate, diploma or degree in community services, social work or another relevant field. If does not hold certificate or degree, can demonstrate work experience within the community services sector, and/or, a willingness to obtain a relevant qualification, supported by VALS.
• A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system.
• An understanding of the legal issues and barriers faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities.
• Demonstrated links to, and experience in engaging the local Aboriginal community.
• Developed written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with clients and provide client service in a professional manner while maintaining confidentiality and discretion.
• Ability to take direction, determine priorities, and manage own workload in order to meet agreed timelines and objectives.
• The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, and as a member of a team, or independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office and other relevant software.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

On offer of this position, you must provide:

• Copy of your current Employee Working with Children Card.
• You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check.
• 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