The purpose of this position is to support the effective and efficient operation of the FVU with timely and accurate data entry, administration and reception duties.

You will often be the first contact for women reaching out for help with issues relating to their experience of family violence. Clients may call our service directly or be referred from specialist family violence services, the Police or other organisations.

The role involves being able to communicate sensitively and effectively with clients in distressing circumstances and from diverse backgrounds. This can be both confronting and rewarding and some level of resilience is always helpful.

You will be required to make initial assessments about the client’s level of risk, understand the issues they are facing and to communicate with the FVU team to ensure the client gets the appropriate services in a timely manner.

We don’t expect you to have specific experience in risk assessment and safety management (although we are happy if you do). We have systems and procedures in place to ensure risk is dealt with appropriately and on-the-job training is provided.

We do expect you to have excellent verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail and critical thinking skills. The capacity to take direction if necessary and to work under pressure (sometimes) is important.

ORGANISATION

SCALES Community Legal Centre is a not-for-profit incorporated association based in Rockingham. SCALES provides a range of free legal services to people experiencing disadvantage by the social, economic or cultural circumstances in the south coastal metropolitan region of Kwinana and Rockingham.

SCALES partners with Murdoch University to host the Student Law Clinic.

Our vision is “A community where human rights are respected, and people are able to assert those rights in a fair, affordable and accessible justice system”.

We work closely with partners in community, government and education to ensure that our programs are relevant and delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.

Many of our clients are women experiencing family and domestic violence.

The Family Violence Unit (FVU)

As part of the Commonwealth Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, SCALES is funded to deliver ‘wrap around’ specialist legal and non-legal services to women experiencing family violence. The service provides intensive, trauma informed assistance and targets the most vulnerable and at risk women.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reception:

• Receive incoming calls and welcome visitors to the office in a courteous, attentive, efficient, culturally appropriate and sensitive manner
• Process requests for assistance in person, by telephone or electronically, to determine whether it is appropriate to book the client in or whether they should be referred to another agency using SCALES’ Legal Practice Guidelines including conflict checks and intake procedures
• Maintain the central office diary to facilitate the efficient functioning of appointments within the centre
• Process all incoming and outgoing communications including electronic and paper mail including collection, mail registration and distribution
• Provide administrative support to staff as required
• Work closely with the Administration Officer – Triage and Administration Assistant - Reception to ensure appropriate internal and external referrals
• The role includes working with team members to identify client needs to provide supportive, coordinated responses and assistance to victims of family violence. Willingness to work with other staff on social media and the website is highly desirable.
• You will be able to provide a high level of customer service, be a quick learner with a positive can-do attitude and pay attention to detail.
• There will be opportunity to contribute proactively to the ongoing development and improvement of services offered by the SCALES’ Family Violence Unit.
• It is important that visitors are dealt with sensitively, kindly and appropriately, particularly, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people who are often stressed and distressed.

General:

• Administer data entry for all client record and general records management including computer and hard copy client files, administration documents, archives, newspaper and other media clippings, history and thank you files
• Ensure that information and brochures supplies and resources etc are up to date and maintained and that the space is clean, tidy and welcoming to visitors
• Exercise a duty of care and understand the need to work in a safe and efficient manner, having regard to own safety and that of other workers. Work within SCALES work, health and safety policies and procedures
• Participate in staff meetings and other meetings relevant to the position
• Participate in staff development and training
• Work with other staff on specific projects if appropriate
• Monitor SCALES’ social media and website
• Carry out any other duties as directed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both telephone and face to face
2. Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised but also to work cooperatively within a team environment
3. Good organisational and problem solving skills
4. Able to work with students
5. Commitment to social justice
6. Able to work in a busy environment
7. Be able to multitask and manage time efficiently
8. Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook and Excel

Desirable:

1. Experience in a community organisation
2. Previous experience with a client record database
3. Willingness to work with other staff on social media and the website.

How to apply for this position

• Click "Apply Now" and follow the instructions provided.
• For further enquiries call Gai Walker, Managing Director on 08 9550 0410.

The successful application will be expected to provide a police clearance certificate.

A position description is attached.