• Provide assistance to the Aboriginal community about how to resolve infringement obligations
• Ongoing full-time position
• VPS Grade 4: $97,955 - $111,142 plus superannuation.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) is seeking a Sheriff Aboriginal Liaison Officer (SALO) to fill a vital role within our Loddon Mallee Region.

This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under 'special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

About the Business Unit

Sheriff Aboriginal Liaison Officers (SALO's) are based in regional offices, working within Justice Services and in collaboration with program areas, including the the Enforcement and Support Services (ESS) branch and communities to deliver justice services that are efficient, effective and integrated around community and client needs.

The Enforcement and Support Services (ESS) branch is responsible for exercising powers on behalf of the Director Fines Victoria in relation to unpaid fines in order to encourage payment of fines, also to review whether enforcement by the Director is appropriate and to provide non-financial means to deal with fines for persons facing hardship.

About the role:

SALO's provide practical assistance to Aboriginal communities and individual community members about how to resolve their outstanding court and or infringement obligations.

As the SALO you will work closely with Justice Services and Fines Victoria and you will be responsible for developing and leading regional community engagement activities within the local community areas. You will be working in line with regional action plans, identifying key justice issues for communities and work in partnership with others to address underlying causes and enhance the rights and responsibilities of Aboriginal community members.

This role will require travel across the Loddon Mallee Region and can be based out of the Bendigo and or Mildura office.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Provide advice, referral and practical assistance to Aboriginal communities and individual community members about how to resolve outstanding infringements, court fines and fines converted to warrants.
• Build, maintain and foster partnerships between the department, local Aboriginal community organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations that will enhance communication and interaction with Justice services across Victoria, regional staff and Aboriginal Justice Worker Program to resolve issues, improve client outcomes and actively promote engagement with the Victorian fines system, fines literacy within the Aboriginal community and the role of Sheriff's Officers.
• Develop and lead community engagement activities and events in line with regional action plans and contribute to enhancing the rights and responsibilities of Aboriginal community members
• Engage and consult with members of Aboriginal Communities, Cooperatives and groups in the Region, including the RAJAC to identify key justice issues for communities and work in partnership with others to address the underlying causes

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal communities, society and culture, and the issues impacting them.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and work effectively with Victorian Aboriginal communities.

Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact [email protected] if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made.

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.

How to Apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and misconduct screening.

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 with the contact person listed on this ad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.