Legal Assessor

About this role

• 1 x full time ongoing position
• 2 x full time maximum term positions up to January 2026 & March 2026 (parental leave backfill contracts)
• 1 x full time maximum term position up to 12 months
• Salary range: $87,799 - $98,901 plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
The role is responsible for assessing applications for legal assistance in accordance with the Legal Aid Act relating to complex family, criminal and civil law proceedings. You will communicate grant decisions effectively to applicants and their lawyers and provide advice to the Grants and Quality Assurance leadership team on policy issues affecting Victoria Legal Aid (VLA).

You will have the opportunity to represent VLA in court in relation to funding decisions and provide legal support to the Principal Lawyer and the leadership team. In undertaking this work, you will be exposed to a variety of complex, interesting and high-profile cases.

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

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner.
• Ability to analyse and interpret laws and policies and apply them to complex facts and situations.
• Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to use plain language to effectively communicate with a range of audiences.
• Proven ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively in a team environment.
• High level organisation skills, including the ability to meet deadlines, apply initiative, problem solve, and effectively progress outcomes.
• Ability to facilitate and conduct education and training sessions.

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.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Monique Higgins,  Coordinator, Legal Assessments on (03) 9606 5239 or Renee Rao, Recruitment Specialist on recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 8 December 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.