Use your advocacy and leadership to help keep Aboriginal children and young people out of the justice system—and strengthen a growing, culturally safe youth crime practice at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS).

• Salary: $116,000 - 119,000 + super + salary packaging
• Location: Preston, VIC
• Employment Type: Full time, 12-month fixed term

The opportunity

As Deputy Managing Lawyer (Youth Crime) in Balit Ngulu ("Strong Voice"), you'll play a key leadership role supporting the Managing Lawyer and Principal Managing Lawyer to deliver outstanding, trauma-informed legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (up to 21). You'll supervise and mentor lawyers, help drive consistent practice standards, and carry a reduced but strategic caseload including complex youth crime matters.

About VALS

Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation established in 1973, providing culturally safe legal services and wrap-around supports across criminal, family, civil and human rights law, youth justice and specialist litigation—plus programs including the 24/7 Custody Notification Service, transitional housing and community legal education.We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTISBQ communities, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. We welcome requests for adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

About Balit Ngulu

Balit Ngulu is VALS' specialist youth program, created to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people can access holistic, culturally safe and specialised legal assistance. The program operates across Melbourne and Greater Shepparton and includes legal services and wrap-around support in partnership with an Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE) Worker. Key responsibilities

• Provide high-quality advice and representation in youth crime matters, including complex casework
• Appear regularly in the Children's Court, Magistrates' Court and other relevant jurisdictions (including duty lawyer services)
• Provide day-to-day supervision, mentoring and coaching to lawyers (including review of advice, pleadings and court strategy)
• Support practice quality, workload management, reflective practice and continuous improvement
• Work collaboratively with the ACE Worker and other VALS programs to support wrap-around outcomes
• Build strong relationships with courts, ACCOs, youth services and key stakeholders
• Contribute to community legal education, advocacy and law reform initiatives

What you'll bring

• Strong criminal law experience. Experience working with children and young people is highly desirable. 
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and develop lawyers in a busy practice
• Sound practice management and operational capability
• A culturally safe, trauma-informed approach and ability to work effectively with young people experiencing disadvantage
• Experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities (or a strong commitment to building this capability)
• Collaborative mindset and commitment to a positive, inclusive workplace

Mandatory requirements

• Current, unrestricted Victorian Practising Certificate (advanced post-admission experience required)
• Employee Working with Children Check
• Victorian Driver Licence
• National Criminal History Check
• Evidence of Australian work rights

how to apply

To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

Don't miss out—applications will be assessed as they're received. Apply today!