• Full time ongoing position 
• Salary range: $98,902 - $123,624 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging  
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model 

About the role

You will support in developing a First Nations Access Service to assist First Nations help seekers and clients by accepting referrals and providing complex legal advice over various channels. You will also assist in creating awareness of the helpline by performing outreach to the First Nations community and developing legal information resources.

This role also involves working very closely with the Manager to support service design and development of service framework to ensure culturally safe and trauma informed effective and efficient operations. There will be opportunities to establish relationships with Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Djirra, Lotjpa Independent Legal Service, Aboriginal Community Engagement Officers and other key First Nations networks.

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

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will: 

• Proven expertise in working collaboratively with the First Nations community, understanding and addressing unique needs. 
• Knowledge and practice experience in child protection, family, criminal and civil law matters.  
• Leadership experience in driving change and achieving excellence in service delivery.  
• Ability to align service with organisational objectives and development and implement practical strategies to meet stakeholder expectations.   
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).  

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities. 

About Victoria Legal Aid

We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1300 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

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements 
• Hybrid work from home & office model 
• Training and professional development opportunities 
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing 
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club (and salary package the cost) 
• Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office) 
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance 

How to apply

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria. 

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 via [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Lawyer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Isabella Unwin, Manager First Nation, Access on (03) 9606 522 or Renee Rao, Recruitment Specialist on [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.