Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission.

Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the ‘Courts Group'.

Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdiction's own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.

The Supreme Court of Victoria is the highest court in Victoria and comprises the Court of Appeal and the Trial Division. The Court deals with major criminal and civil matters, plus appeals against decisions of lower courts.

The Supreme Court of Victoria recognises that its people are integral to its ability to meet and exceed community expectations and to achieve its goal of being an outstanding superior court. We continually strive to create a high-performance workplace that is characterized by creativity, innovation, flexibility, and quality delivery.

Funds in Court (FIC) is an Office of the Supreme Court of Victoria. FIC administers funds held in Court, and assets purchased from them, for people with a disability.

People who have their funds held in Court are known as clients. FIC supports the Senior Master in managing funds and providing assistance for more than 7,000 clients. The Senior Master is an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

The Office acts in a manner that is consistent with the law and in the best interests of beneficiaries of the Court.

About the Role

The Client Services Officer (CSO) is a member of the Client Services Team and is a client's day-to-day contact at Funds in Court. The CSO deals with persons under ‘legal disability' including their carers and is primarily responsible for submitting requests to access their funds, either to purchase an item, for daily expenses or for larger transactions such as house and vehicle purchases to judicial officers for consideration.

The position must balance and negotiate such requests and expectations with requirements set by the Judiciary.

The Client Services Officer provides quality customer service and support to clients and operates within a high volume and challenging work environment.

Key accountabilities include:

• Managing a portfolio of clients with awards ranging up to several million dollars providing efficient, timely and effective funds administration services for persons under disability to achieve Client Services standards. This includes providing competent and sound advice, information and guidance to clients, their representatives or family with respect to relevant legislation, processes and procedures of Funds in Court.
• Submitting well researched, comprehensive memoranda along with sound recommendations for consideration by the Senior Master, or other Associate Judges, and the Judicial Registrar.
• Identifying and escalating more serious client issues to the Senior Client Services Officer or Team Leader, as appropriate, and provide operational support to the Team to enhance service delivery.
• Coordinating and conduct initial meetings with clients and interested parties both in the office or in the client's home, as may be required. This includes initiating, maintaining and developing relationships with external stakeholders such as VCAT and OPA through attendance at meetings and hearings to achieve desired outcomes.
• Maintaining current, accurate records in the Trust Management System [TMS], and meet relevant audit requirements.

About You

• Knowledge of relevant legislation, particularly the Supreme Court Act 1986, Trustee Act 1958, the Guardianship and Administration Act 2019, the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, of the Rules of Court, as it impacts upon the administration of funds in Court for persons under disability.
• Familiarity with the National Standards for Disability Services.
• Ability to have difficult conversations whilst being sensitive to client needs.
• Active listening skills and well developed professional communication skills.
• Sound experience and advanced skills in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of applications.

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 email the contact person listed in the advertisement.