Overview

This position focuses on providing specific supports to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living within the Metropolitan Victorian community who are impacted by Family Violence.

The Client Service Officer [CSO] acts as liaison between the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co-Operative Limited [VALS] and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of criminal, family and civil law matters. The CSO has an educational role in providing information to communities on family violence support services and the supports available through VALS programs.

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.This employment opportunity is only available to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibility

1. Provide a case coordination approach to assisting our clients who are impacted by family violence including coordinating services who they are currently linked or assisting to referred to,
2. Travel and provide service to clients within the metropolitan areas of Victoria;
3. Court support, transport assistance, referrals and advocating on the client’s behalf
4. Provide outreach and support to family violence clients;
5. Reassure the client and explain legal terminology and processes used by the courts and legal profession, not using legal jargon. Where appropriate, take notes of the history of the client’s case and provide them to the solicitor
6. Liaise and network with other Aboriginal organisations and agencies to promote VALS and be aware of programs that will assist the Victorian Aboriginal communities, especially those who specialise in the area of family violence
7. Liaise with police and other persons within the justice system to ensure delivery of a culturally relevant service
8. Perform a range of administrative tasks to ensure the effective delivery of services to VALS clients, including maintaining of client file using Actionstep database
9. Provide activity reports on a timely basis, attend staff meetings as required, participate in ongoing training and staff development, and act at all times in a professional manner, upholding the organisation’s core values, and
10. As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training

Key Selection Criteria

1. Hold a certificate or degree in community services, social work or another relevant field. If does not hold certificate or degree, can demonstrate experience within the community services sector with a focus on family violence.
2. Ability to work alone and be accountable for movements and work performance
3. A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system
4. An understanding of family violence and the impacts on communities
5. An understanding of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities
6. Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software.
7. Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed
8. Experience working in the non-profit sector.

Please click on the link below for the position description.