• Full time maximum term position up to 12 months (part time (0.8FTE) applications considered) 
• Salary range: $76,426 - $98,901 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging 
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model 

About the role 

In this role, you will provide intake and advocacy services to people at risk of or on compulsory treatment orders, assist people to understand and exercise their rights and enable them to participate in decisions about their treatment, care, and recovery.

You will respond to enquiries from users of the program, mental health organisations and services including, but not limited to; hospitals, peer support workers, social workers, lawyers, caseworkers and other advocates.

You will also provide services in person in inpatient units, in community settings via phone and email, with regular in person travel to designated mental health services at Latrobe Health and Peninsula Health.

This role is based at our Frankston office on Bunurong Country. 

About you 

As our ideal candidate, you will be a creative problem solver with either mental health support and/or advocacy or consumer advocacy experience and possess:  

• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with a diverse range of consumers and internal and external stakeholders. 
• A deep understanding of the challenges impacting Victorians when accessing mental health support services, and the ability to ‘stand up' on behalf of consumers. 
• A flexible, patient and supportive approach while remaining transparent.
• Experience in one or more areas including: community development, consumer advocacy, mental health advocacy, community sector advocacy, social work, mental health service provision or other similar fields. If you bring mental health consumer experience, we would love to hear from you.  

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities. 

About IMHA

Our Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) team is a non-legal advocacy program that is staffed and led by professionals with mental health consumer experience and/or backgrounds in community development, consumer advocacy, mental health advocacy, community sector advocacy, social work, mental health service provision or other similar fields.   

About Victoria Legal Aid 

We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1300 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.  

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve. 

Employee benefits 

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model - minimum 2 days in the office or designated mental health service
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club (and salary package the cost)
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance

How to apply 

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing: 

• Your understanding of issues affecting consumers who are subject to compulsory mental health treatment.
• Your ability to communicate and liaise with diverse consumers, stakeholders and organisations.
• Your previous experience fostering a cooperative and supportive team environment.
• If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team. 

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Rhys Jones, Senior Advocate (03) 9093 3701 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Advocate - Independent Mental Health Advocacy enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Other relevant information 
It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.  

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first. 

A position description is attached.