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Family Support Officer - Flexible Regional location

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

Overview:

This position focuses on providing specific supports to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living within regional Victoria who are impacted by Family Violence as a priority.

The Family Support Officer (FSO) acts as liaison between VALS and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all legal practice areas. The FSO has an educational role in providing information to communities on holistic family and violence support services and; the supports available through VALS programs.

Location: This position is available in any of our Regional offices: Ballarat, Bairnsdale, Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool.

Key responsibilities:

  1. Conduct outreach, support and coordinate holistic support for our clients impacted by family violence.
  2. Court support, transport assistance, referrals and advocating on the client’s behalf
  3. 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
  4. Liaise and network with other Aboriginal organisations to promote VALS and be aware of programs that will assist Victorian Aboriginal communities, especially those who specialise in supporting persons/families affected by family violence
  5. Liaise with police and other persons within the justice system to ensure delivery of a culturally relevant service
  6. Perform a range of administrative tasks relevant to VALS clients, including maintaining client records on our client management system, preparing activity reports and participating in staff meetings, training and other workforce development initiatives
  7. Travel and provide service to clients within the regional areas of Victoria;
  8. As directed, undertake other duties that are incidental to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training

Personal accountabilities:

  1. Compliance with all VALS values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.
  2. 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
  3. Ensure appropriate use of resources
  4. Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace.
  5. Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others
  6. Promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management.
  7. Attend mandatory training sessions (i.e., equal employment opportunity, health and safety, managing risks of vicarious trauma, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

Key Selection Criteria:

  1. Hold a certificate or degree in community services, social work or another relevant field. If does not hold certificate or degree, can demonstrate experience within the community services sector with a focus on family violence.
  2. Ability to work alone and be accountable for movements and work performance
  3. A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system and of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities
  4. An understanding of family violence and its impacts on communities
  5. Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office
  6. 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
  7. Experience working in the non-profit sector.

Key Capabilities:

  1. Plans and prioritises work - manages competing demands
  2. Adheres to organisation policies and procedures
  3. Is approachable, accessible and responsive
  4. Communicates attentively by phone and in person, including listening attentively and showing empathy when appropriate
  5. Gathers relevant facts through research and interview skills
  6. Gains insight into the client and stakeholder needs, priorities and expectations

Mandatory Requirements:

On offer of this position, you must provide:

  1. A copy of your current Employee Working with Children card
  2. A copy of your current Victorian Driver’s License
  3. You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check
  4. Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e. a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate or Immigration VISA documentation
  5. Proof of Vaccination
  6. Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role (eg. community services certificate, diploma or degree in social work).

How to apply

This job ad has now expired, and applications are no longer being accepted.
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