• Utilise your complex investigation expertise to provide support and advice to the complex investigations branch.
• Fixed term until 30/06/2024, Full-Time Opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
• VPS Grade 5.1: $103,920 - $114,828 plus superannuation.

About the Business Unit

The Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) is an independent statutory office accountable to the Victorian Parliament which has been established to protect the rights and enhance the position of people with disabilities in Victoria.

One of the principal functions of the Public Advocate, upon referral from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), is to conduct investigations in respect of applications before VCAT for guardianship or administration, orders concerning enduring powers of attorney and special medical procedures.

The scope of the investigation varies depending upon the referral made by the VCAT, but typically includes considerations as to whether a person has a disability within the meaning of the Guardianship and Administration Act 2019, whether they are in need of assistance to manage their finances or whether they are in need of assistance concerning their personal matters, such as where they should live. In most instances, an investigation will be concluded following the provision of a report to VCAT addressing the original referral questions.

About the Role

The Investigation Officer is part of a team of investigators who act under delegation from the Public Advocate.

In addition to VCAT, the investigations team has significant interaction with other OPA programs such as the advocate guardian team, the medical treatment decision making team, and the telephone advice service.

The role of the investigations Officer:

• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and liaise with public sector agencies in the course of investigations.
• Appear before, and prepare and present written or oral reports to, VCAT and other courts and tribunals as required.
• Undertake urgent investigations regarding applications to VCAT for urgent guardianship and/or administration orders.

About You

As our ideal candidate, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Substantial relevant and recent experience in conducting complex investigations.
• Demonstrates high level cognitive and investigation skills including conducting interviews, developing investigation plans, obtaining, and analysing evidence and preparing formal investigation reports.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of issues relating to disability, mental health, and aged care service sectors.
• An understanding of adult guardianship principles and practice is desirable but not essential.

Applicants are required to address the Technical Expertise Criteria as part of application.

How to Apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES:

• For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.
• For all VPS employees, due to the new Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) policy, please apply through the JSE to be eligible to be considered for this position in the first round

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). Therefore, there is a requirement that all DJCS employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to undertake duties outside of their homes.

Prior to commencement of employment with the department you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Upon commencement of employment with the department you will be required to provide evidence that you have an up-to-date vaccination status within the timelines specified by the department into the DJCS Service Portal. This includes evidence of all doses of a COVID-19 vaccine required by the department (from time to time).

Acceptable evidence includes:

• COVID-19 digital certificate or ATAGI exemption certificate (available via your myGov account)
• Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account)

Other documentation outside the above will not be accepted as evidence of having received your COVID-19 vaccine doses.