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

About the role:
You will act as a senior lawyer providing high quality legal services including duty lawyer services, casework, and advice services in civil law matters.

You will promote the civil justice practice to people and communities in the region by providing supervision, training, and mentoring to other members of the team, and engaging in community legal education, community engagement and service promotion activities.

Additionally, you will work closely with Mildura's Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer (ACEO). This collaboration aims to increase the awareness of civil issues within local First Nations Communities, and resolution of civil legal problems, to address unmet legal need. The ACEO role also supports First Nations clients during the resolution of their civil matter.

About you:
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Substantial knowledge or practical experience in civil law and relevant court and tribunal procedures with the capacity to work as an advocate and caseworker.
• Ability to provide strategic advice on legal and policy issues and positively engage with key partner agencies to appropriately manage referrals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others and communicate with a diverse stakeholder group.
• Strong interest and capability in providing mentorship and guidance to junior team members in enhancing their skills and knowledge in civil law.
• A current Australian practicing 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. 

Why Mildura?
Nestled in north-west Victoria along the Murray River, Mildura blends vineyards, riverfront views, and outback charm. Around 600 kilometres from Melbourne and 380 kilometres from Adelaide, Mildura offers a laid-back lifestyle. If you are interested in gaining regional experience, Mildura is an excellent choice. Working in a regional office offers a rich variety of tasks, providing opportunities to develop advocacy, mentoring, and leadership skills simultaneously.  The Mallee is a diverse community, including refugee and First Nations communities, that influences diverse and complex legal need.

About Victoria Legal Aid:
We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1000 staff employed in 15 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)

How to apply:
To be considered for this role, please submit a current resume and completed candidate application form (listed within the file attachments).

If you require adjustment 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.

For further information review the attached position description or contact Heidi Deason, Regional Manager on (03) 5055 4010.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 12 May 2024

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.