Paralegal (Vpsg3)

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time

Organisation: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

**Salary**: $73,842 - $89,661

Occupation: Legal

Reference: VG/DFFH/CDS/703290

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) works hard to create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live a safe, respected and valued life.

Our areas of focus are child protection, housing, disability, the prevention of family violence, multicultural affairs, LGBTQI+ equality, veterans, women and youth. The work we do benefits thousands of Victorians, particularly those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.

We work in a variety of community-based settings, including people's homes, residential facilities and secure settings across metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria.

If you’re having any trouble viewing this ad and would like it or any attachments in an accessible format (such as large print), please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on the ad.

**THE ROLE**

The paralegal role will provide assistance to the Families and Communities team in the Legal Services Branch. Attention to detail, adaptability and teamwork underpin success in this role as well as a demonstrated ability to proactively manage competing priorities and communicate sensitively and effectively. The role will provide a wide range of paralegal functions across the Families and Communities team's day operations, with a focus on supporting litigation functions.

The paralegal role will assist solicitors with duties including file and record management, coordinating court listings and barrister briefings, preparing court books and assisting with legal correspondence and legal research. This may include data entry into the branch's matter management system and department's record management system and preparing matter management reports. It may also include identifying opportunities to streamline and enhance existing governance processes and procedures. The paralegal may also be required to assist the team in preparing relevant data for the leadership to provide to the department's divisions, Secretary and Ministers.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE**
- Under general direction, provide supportive assistance with office processes including data entry and management of documentation and preparing matter management reports
- Answer queries, provide timely advice and undertake general follow up action as required, including correctly redirecting incoming mail and queries.
- Assist solicitors in the management of advice and/or litigation, including:
a) Drafting and preparing forms, documents, correspondence, and other material.

b) Briefing counsel appropriately in matters managed by the Families and Communities team.

c) Undertaking legal research and discrete tasks.

**Please open the position description to read more.**

**VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS POLICY**

The department may require its employees to be fully vaccinated against preventable diseases such as the current coronavirus (COVID-19). The department's **COVID-19 Vaccination requirements policy**(Word) outlines the requirements for existing employees, other workplace participants and prospective employees. Please read in full prior to applying.

**HOW TO APPLY**

Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.