• Full time (part time of 0.8 FTE considered) maximum term position to June 2027
• Salary range: $89,029 - $104,924 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging 
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model 

About the role

VLA has launched a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind service designed to provide integrated support and advocacy to clients on remand. 

Our Remand Support Service will bring allied health, legal, housing, cultural supports and other community services together to assist people through the complexities of being on remand. Our goal is to offer holistic, trauma-informed support that meets our clients' complex non-legal needs.

We are looking for experienced practitioners to deliver this important service. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a new, transformative service within the criminal justice system.

These roles will require afternoon, evening and weekend work, including public holidays as the Bail and Remand Courts are in operation 365 days a year from 9am-9pm. Rostering of the team is to be confirmed. 

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office and Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wurundjeri Country.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with an ability to quickly build trust and rapport with a diverse range of clients and internal and external stakeholders. 
• A deep understanding of the challenges impacting people on remand and/or criminalised peoples, and an ability to ‘stand up' on behalf of clients in challenging environments, including custody settings.
• A flexible, patient and non-judgmental approach while remaining transparent. You will be a creative problem solver who enjoys working as a team with non-legal and legal practitioners.
• Experience in one or more areas including; social work, community development, mental health, homelessness and housing services, AOD service provision (including harm reduction approaches), representational advocacy, or other similar fields. Experience working with First Nations Australians and understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonisation and systemic racism is highly desirable. 

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

About VLA

We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1400 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve.

Employee benefits

• A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model 
• Generous leave benefits, including:
  • Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
  • Paid gender affirmation leave
  • Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
• Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
• Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Discounted annual Myki public transport passes
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

How to apply

To be considered for this role, please click "Apply Now" and submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria as per the PD (listed within the file attachments). Please indicate in your cover letter your preferred time for an interview (am or pm) during a standard work week.

Feel free to download and read the ‘A day in the life' example document to get a true feel for this role and to further assist you with your application (listed within the file attachments). 

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team [email protected] using the subject line: Remand Support Practitioner enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Lauren Rimmer (she/her) Team Leader, Remand Support Service on 0448 238 132 or [email protected]. 

No agency applications will be accepted.

Other relevant information

It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community. 

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.

A position description is attached.