This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

This employment opportunity is only available to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

At Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), we are committed to providing culturally appropriate legal services, advocacy, and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Victoria. Our mission is to ensure that Aboriginal communities have access to the justice system, are treated with dignity and respect, and have their rights upheld.

What We Do:

Provide free legal services to Aboriginal people across criminal, family, and civil matters

Offer culturally sensitive advice, support, and representation

Advocate for social justice, equality, and the protection of Aboriginal rights

Work to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system

Engage in policy development and systemic advocacy for positive change

When you work at VALS, you can access range of our benefits such as:

Only 35 hours work week – any extra hours worked will be calculated as Time In Lieu (TOIL) and can be used as additional leave hours

Get paid more when you take your annual leave with our 17.5% Annual Leave Loading

Access additional 5 days leave on top of the standard 20 days annual leave allowance

Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips

Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia

To learn more about us, head to https://www.vals.org.au/about-vals/ | For more details about our other roles, check our careers website: https://www.vals.org.au/careers/

About our Custody Notification Service Team:

VALS Custody Notification Service (CNS) is a 24 hour/7 day per week service.

The CNS receive notifications about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people entering police custody, which includes all custodial settings such as police stations, hospitals under police guard and police cars or roadside.

The Custody Notification Officers (CNOs) will then contact the Victoria Police and check in with the person in custody to conduct assessment to determine the appropriate next steps.

ROLE OVERVIEW

This position is specifically for the after hours of the Custody Notification Service.

Your work hours will be 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday 12:00am – 5:00am.

As Custody Notification Officer, you will act as a liaison between VALS and the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons taken into custody by the police.

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

This employment opportunity is only available to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Respond to e-justice notifications, the Victoria Police or Aboriginal Community Justice Panel (AJCP) when advised that an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is being held in custody

Contact the Police Station that the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is in custody at, speak to the Police Officer or Police Custody Officer and provide basic information, conduct a welfare check and coordinate for legal advice from the VALS on call solicitor. Reassure the client and explain legal terminology and processes used by the police and legal profession, not using legal jargon.

Liaise and network with other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations and agencies to promote VALS and be aware of programs that will assist in the prevention or reduction of crime within the community

Liaise with police and other persons within the justice system to ensure delivery of a culturally relevant service

Perform administrative tasks to ensure effective service delivery to VALS clients, including updating records, providing activity reports and attending staff meetings

As directed by management, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

Key Selection Criteria:

A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system and an understanding of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities.

Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

Intermediate computer skills, with demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office and other relevant software.

Ability to work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in a culturally safe manner and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed.

High level organisational and administrative skills including the ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure.

VALS mandatory requirements

On offer of this position, you must provide:

Copy of your current Employee Working with Children Card.

You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check.

Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e., a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate, or Immigration VISA documentation

Current valid Victorian Driver’s Licence

Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role

Click the ‘Apply’ button to apply now and submit your resume, cover letter and answer to key selection criteria.

You may also send your application to [email protected] using the position title as subject line.

Please note:

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No (search) fee will be paid in the event we hire a candidate whose resume is submitted by an employment agency to any of our employees without a valid written recruitment agreement. Such resumes shall be deemed the sole property of VALS.