About the role:

The Victoria Police Legal Services Department (LSD) is currently recruiting for an ongoing Unit Manager to join the team within the Legal Business Operations Division.

Reporting to the LSD Business Manager, this position will be imperative in assisting with the implementation, ongoing monitoring and management of legal practice management activities for the LSD.

Governance and management of the legal practice is fundamental to mitigating risks associated with Victoria Police operating a legal practice. In particular, it involves:

• management and oversight of compliance activities for legally qualified employees, including practising certification and continued professional development (CPD) requirements for legally qualified employees;
• ensuring the broader governance, risk and compliance activities of the LSD are in place and fit for purpose;
• overseeing the case management system used by Victoria Police, including related contract management;
• the development and maintenance of a legal advice register/database;
• innovating legal processes and procedures;
• the planning and delivery of an annual Legal Services Department conference; and
• other essential activities to support the legal practice operations of Victoria Police.

The LSD is currently working through a structure realignment, which will result in two additional service units reporting to the Business Manager. As well as supporting the Business Manager with management of the legal practice as described above, this position will also be responsible for the day-to-day oversight and management of these two additional teams, including day-to-day contract management related to these services.

Applicants looking for an exciting opportunity to make a positive impact, who also have a proven ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and consistently achieve positive outcomes, are encouraged to apply.

Victoria Police is a contemporary and agile workplace and supports flexible working arrangements.

Your duties will include:

• Assist the Business Manager with the delivery of legal practice management activities
• Provide day-to-day oversight and management of two service functions, including day-to-day contract management related to these services
• Provide advice and direction in the provision of services to business units
• Development of solutions (registers, processes, etc) and reporting to support monitoring of compliance requirements
• Work with managers of legally qualified staff in the development of consistent performance management and professional development plans, including compliance with continued professional development (CPD) requirements
• Develop and maintain induction materials specifically applicable to legally qualified positions
• Undertake research and analysis to recommend improvements to existing processes and procedures, including legal processes, procedures, file management and information systems
• Assist the planning and delivery of an annual Legal Services Department conference
• Provide support administering the legal case management system, including the exploration of a legal advice register/database
• Assisting with the coordination of general governance, risk, and compliance activities

As the successful applicant, you will have:

• Experience managing the delivery of services to business units in a complex operating environment
• People leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop staff while ensuring the delivery of positive business outcomes
• Sound analytical and problem-solving skills, with a solution and improvement focused mindset
• Experience developing and fostering strong stakeholder relationships, with an ability to influence decisions
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with consistent sound judgement and ethical behaviour in making and influencing decisions

Requirements and relevant information:

• One (1) x full-time, ongoing position available.
• The salary range for a VPS5 role is $105,479 to $127,621 (covering salary ranges VPSG 5.1 and VPSG 5.2).  Although it is standard practice for selected candidates to commence at the base of the salary range, genuine consideration will be given to a commencement salary within the available range that is commensurate with the successful candidate's knowledge, skills and experiences. This will be subject to negotiations with the Hiring Manager in the course of the selection process and may include the provision of evidence of a higher income and/or supporting documentation (as required).
• This position is located at Victoria Police Centre, 311 Spencer Street, Docklands.
• Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• In accordance with organisational policy, all Victoria Police employees are required to be fully vaccinated (including a booster vaccination) against COVID-19 or hold a valid medical exception. As such your employment with Victoria Police is subject to providing evidence of your vaccination status.
• As a member of the Legal Services Department you will be located, on selection, at a specific office within a Division for a particular advertised opportunity.  However, given occasional legal service demand issues you may be required at times to undertake varied work within the Department.  This supports the Department's commitment to a flexible and deployable legal workforce and professional development opportunities in a range of legal domains.

Your application must include:

• Resume
• Completed application form – the word document (2. VPS Application Form) for you to complete and attach to your submission, is attached to the job advertisement.

Applications close midnight, Sunday, 11 June 2023.

Please Note: All applications will need to be submitted through one of the following platforms; Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) website, Victorian Government careers website (Careers.vic) or Seek. Applications will not be accepted via other platforms or email.

Current Victorian Government employees must apply via Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE). 

For further information, please contact: Scott Homewood on (03) 8335 8034 or scott.homewood@police.vic.gov.au. No recruitment agency please.

If you have a disability/medical condition and require a copy of this advertisement and attached documentation in an accessible format or would like to discuss an access requirements/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process, please contact VPS Recruitment via email VPSRECRUITMENT@police.vic.gov.au or on (03) 8335 6004.

About Us:

Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees consisting of police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Each employee plays a vital role in providing the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response and public safety capability the organisation delivers to its community. As a Victoria Police employee, you have a dedication and commitment to community safety. 

Having a workforce that reflects the community we serve is important to Victoria Police. We want to attract and retain people of all genders, ages, religions, disability, sexual orientation, family and caring responsibilities, and cultures including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. If you are interested in a position, we encourage you to apply as we celebrate the benefit that diversity brings to our employees, our services, and our community.

Find out what it is like working as a Victorian Public Servant for Victoria Police: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/vps