Appropriate Dispute Resolution Officer (ADRO)

About Us

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) is a jurisdiction within the Court Services Victoria statutory authority and has a long history of providing justice for the people of Victoria in metropolitan and regional courts across the state. The Court determines in excess of 300,000 cases per annum at 51 venues, equating to approximately 90 percent of all cases that come before Victorian courts each year. The Court aims to be an innovative, accessible, and responsive court that provides quality services to the Victorian community.

The Neighbourhood Justice Centre (NJC) is Australia's first community justice centre and an International Mentor Community Court. Key aspects of the NJC include early intervention; appropriate dispute resolution; local problem solving; and integrated service delivery with a focus on addressing the underlying causes of offending. Strong relationships and partnerships are fundamental to the NJC approach.

About the Role

Reporting to the Peacemaking Service Manager, the Appropriate Dispute Resolution Officer (ADRO) will be responsible for supporting Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) matters (excluding high-risk stalking cases) and managing disputes from initial assessment onwards. The ARDO will provide a broad range of dispute resolution services and will conduct negotiations and facilitated conversations, such as mediation. Dependent on caseload, the ADRO may also receive referrals for non-PSIO related matters.

Key accountabilities include:

• Conducting pre-hearing conference processes by providing clients with clear and accurate information about court processes and available options
• Providing conflict coaching, including working 1:1 with clients; assessing and analysing disputes and identifying resolution requirements; providing prompt resolution using the assisted settlement process where appropriate and make referrals to other services as needed
• Conducting intake & assessment for a facilitated process such as mediation and preparing clients and identifying if co-mediation is required and conduct the process
• Proactively liaising and managing relationships with a range of internal stakeholders, such as the NJC Magistrate, Registry staff, Lawyers, Mental Health Clinicians etc.
• Collaborating on cases with the NJC Peacemaking Service Manager, and the Neighbourhood Justice Officer
• Promoting the service with key referrers, including Victoria Police and DFFH to ensure early intervention and resolution of potential PSIO matters.

About You 

• Current National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) accreditation
• Demonstrated skills in negotiation and facilitated processes such as mediation and group conferencing
• An understanding of dispute resolution techniques, including assessing, analysing, and diagnosing dispute resolution requirements 
• Experience working with individuals and groups - identifying underlying issues, working with conflict, helping people to communicate safely and effectively

How to apply

Click the ‘Apply Now' button, ensuring you include the following in your application:

• resume 
• a short cover letter

Other information

CSV is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce.

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.

We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch by calling (03) 9032 0500 to speak with a People Services Advisor.