THE ORGANISATION

Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) is the peak body for unions in Victoria. It provides industrial support for affiliated unions, provides support to injured workers and runs campaigns to promote the interests of Victorian workers.

Union Assist is an initiative of Victorian Trades Hall Council, to provide information, assistance and representation to union members on WorkCover.

VTHC is seeking to employ two Conciliation/Arbitration Advisers, one part time and one full time, to provide advice and assistance with disputes, preparation for and representation at conciliation conferences and arbitration hearings to Victorian Union Members.

DUTIES INCLUDE

The Conciliation/Arbitration Adviser is responsible for providing advice to workers to assist them through the WorkCover disputes process including assisting them at conciliation conferences and arbitration hearings. Specific duties include:

• Assisting union members with lodging applications for conciliation and requests for arbitration, including interviewing workers about their disputes
• Evaluating cases, helping workers to prepare for and acting as an assistant at conciliation conferences and arbitration hearings
• Effective communication with injured workers, insurers, unions, employers, rehabilitation providers, solicitors, medical practitioners, community organisations and the Workplace Injury Commission
• Advice and preparation of applications to WCIRS (Workers Compensation Internal Review Service)
• Referring workers to other services where appropriate
• Maintaining records on cases handled
• Preparing reports for unions on completion of cases
• Making information presentations to Unions and other stakeholders
• Other duties as required.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The applicant should demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• A commitment to social justice and trade union principles
• A strong commitment to the rights of workers to occupational health and safety, and adequate compensation and rehabilitation for work-related injury or illness
• Knowledge and experience of WorkCover Conciliation and Arbitration Processes
• Extensive understanding of worker’s entitlements under relevant Acts including the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act and the Accident Compensation Act and an ability to apply the Act in the analysis of individual cases
• A well-developed understanding of the issues affecting injured workers, including particular issues affecting women and migrant workers in the WorkCover Conciliation and Arbitration Processes
• A well-developed ability to work with the Workplace Injury Commission, plaintiff lawyers, medical practitioners, rehabilitation providers and a broad range of community groups and organisations
• Experience in assisting/representing workers at WorkCover Conciliation conferences, arbitration hearings or similar Alternative Dispute Resolution forums
• Ability to read and analyse medical reports
• Understanding of occupational health and safety and the potential contribution of employment to injury and illness
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate cases and make judgements about possible outcomes and the need for legal involvement.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL

• Have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Have a demonstrated ability to manage busy work-flow and conflicting priorities and meet strict deadlines
• Have an ability to work on own initiative with limited direction, as well as part of a team
• Be assertive and confident in dealing with all types of people
• Have a demonstrated ability to work with interpreters
• Have a current Victorian Driver’s Licence.

MORE INFORMATION

This position is set at Level 8 (approx. $117,000) of our classification structure.

Victorian Trades Hall has an Enterprise Agreement with a monthly RDO (in recognition of occasional additional hours) and 12% superannuation.

This position reports to the Assistant Secretary and Secretary through the Union Assist Coordinator.

Some irregular hours and intrastate travel will be required in this role.

ABOUT US

If after reading this you’re not sure you meet every criteria but have the passion and determination to contribute to positive change for Victorian workers, we encourage you to apply.

A statement of available adjustments is available on request for people with a disability.

The VTHC is committed to a culturally inclusive workplace and encourages women and people from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

We'd love you to join our team and encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as screening and interviews may commence prior to the closing date.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact Diane Newham at [email protected] using the subject line: Conciliation / Arbitration Adviser - Union Assist enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We are union. We stand united as part of a great movement of workers.

Our diversity is our strength. Our solidarity is our power.

We respect and take care of each other.

Prejudice and discrimination - including misogyny, racism, homophobia and all other hatreds - have no place in our movement.

We rise together.

Today and every day we commit ourselves to achieving justice, fairness, equality and dignity for all workers.

Solidarity forever.