Lawyer
The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) is an independent statutory authority, whose primary function is to regulate members of the teaching profession.
About us
The VIT’s vision is to ensure that Victorian learners have the best teachers. All our work focusses on raising the quality of teaching, and providing for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
We are committed to building an inclusive workforce where the full potential of all employees is reached and our differences are embraced. The VIT supports and enables employees to work safely in a discrimination-free environment and enjoy equal opportunities.
By joining the team at VIT, you will work within a friendly, high-performance culture with a focus on people and their development.
Benefits include
- flexible working arrangements
- consultative leadership team who cares about staff, and actively supports career and professional development
- positive and active social culture
- access to a wide variety of leave options and salary packaging arrangements
- strong commitment to equity, including through a comprehensive Gender Equity Action plan
- mental health and wellbeing initiatives
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- ’A grade’ office building with 4.5-star energy rating and modern end-of-trip facilities - only minutes from Southern Cross station.
Be part of a workforce who share VIT’s vision and are committed to contributing to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
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| Department: | Victorian Institute of Teaching |
| Work Type: | Ongoing - full time |
| Job Function: | Legal |
| Classification: | VIT4 |
| Work Location: | Melbourne - CBD |
| Reference: | VG/1858196 |
| Closing Date: | 20-May-2025 |
| Salary Range: | $92,600 - $105,064 |
| Job Duration: | N/A |
| Attachments: | ECM_5458566_v5_VIT-CC-5005 - 5006 & 5040 - Grade 4 - Lawyer (3).pdf (PDF, 119KB) Position Description Working for VIT FAQs and Recruitment Process.pdf (PDF, 89KB) |
| Contact: | Natalie Marchesani natalie.marchesani@vit.vic.edu.au |
Position Details
1 x ongoing vacancy, 1 x fixed-term vacancy until 27/02/2026
Salary range $92,600 - $105,064 plus statutory super.
This is an opportunity for a lawyer that is passionate about using their knowledge, skills and experience to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of children.
If you fit this profile, then you could join the dynamic Legal Team within the Professional Conduct Branch at VIT with an exciting and challenging mandate to enable quality teaching and provide for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
The Lawyer role offers an outstanding career opportunity for a professional who is passionate about using their expertise to support VIT in its regulation of Victorian teachers. With expert skills and knowledge in managing disciplinary proceedings, prosecutions and providing advice to an investigations team, the role will ensure VIT is well informed in to discharge its regulatory obligation and functions.
Be part of a forward-thinking, risk-based regulator where ideas and opinions are valued.
About the role
This role will require you to:
- provide high-level legal advice in relation to all aspects of VIT's regulatory functions, including conducting investigations, managing disciplinary proceedings, and prosecuting offences under the Act
- conduct suitability assessments for people applying for registration
- conduct risk assessments in relation to information, notifications and complaints received about registered teachers
- represent the VIT at disciplinary hearings, court proceedings (appeals/prosecutions), including by drafting allegations and submissions; preparing hearing books; conferencing with witnesses; and undertaking appearance work in matters where required
- provide advice to influence policy development, contribute to business planning and manage VIT projects that arise from legislative change
- exercise high-level professional judgement about the application of legislation and the development of policy options
The role may require overseeing work in relation to sensitive matters, which can involve allegations of child sexual abuse.
About you
As an experienced Lawyer, you will have sound and practical knowledge of current risk based regulatory practices. You will have experience in providing legal advice and managing litigation in a fast-paced regulatory environment, ideally with a passion for child safety and experience working within the education sector.
You will have strong written and verbal communication skills, combined with a highly organised approach and a proven track record in to distil complex legal concepts/principles and in doing so reporting on these internal and external stakeholders. In addition to this, as the successful candidate, you will have:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills, with an ability to influence others in agreed directions, particularly in relation to administrative decision making.
- Excellent organisation and planning skills
- Demonstrated problem solving skills underpinned by an analytical capability.
- Admitted as an Australian Legal Practitioner with a current Victorian Practising Certificate (or the ability to acquire one) with some experience in providing high level and accurate advice on legal and policy matters, especially those dealing with administrative law, criminal law and statutory interpretation.
How to apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter (of no more than 2 pages) addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the attached position description.
To discuss this role further, please contact Natalie Marchesani, Legal Manager (Disciplinary Proceedings), Professional Conduct Branch at Natalie.marchesani@vit.vic.edu.au
Recruitment and selection process
Our recruitment and selection process is based on the public sector employment principles and will include the following overarching principles
- our decisions will be based on merit - we will assess each applicant's skills, knowledge, attributes and qualifications objectively against the key selection criteria
- we will be fair, reasonable and equitable - we will provide equal employment opportunities
- we will be objective
- we will comply with our privacy obligations during the recruitment and selection process
During the recruitment and selection process, shortlisted applicants may be asked to submit to various assessment tools and pre-employment screenings. This may include consent to conduct a nationally coordinated criminal history check.
The VIT is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for its employees and stakeholders. We require all employees to comply with VIT's vaccination policy.
Applications close: 11.59pm 20 May 2025
