Paralegal - Criminal Law Practice (Urgent Search)

VALS is made up of Victoria’s most committed legal advocates, professionals and support staff who work to advance Aboriginal self-determination and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria of all ages.

We know that our people make the difference. VALS is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion. We celebrate our team of diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+ and individuals from different cultures, language groups and experiences.

Grow, develop and be rewarded

You will have:

- Opportunities to work on diverse matters and gain significant experience.
- Opportunities to develop your own expertise and collaborate with colleagues and partners in projects, policy and legal reform
- Access to generous staff benefits such as salary packaging options, flexible working arrangement, TOIL, pre-purchased leave, paid parental, carer and cultural leave and much more.

Benefits of working Part/Full-time at VALS:

- Getting paid 17.5% more when you take your annual leave
- 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

These positions are classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, and only available to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people with lived experience of the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply for this role.

About the Aboriginal Community Justice Panels (ACJP):

The ACJP operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a largely volunteer workforce that provides timely access to cultural, legal and practical support for Aboriginal people in police custody. The core service is to maximise the safety and welfare of Aboriginal people in custody by

Being the first point of contact by Victoria Police when an Aboriginal person is taken into custody

Visits while in custody

Liaising with legal and welfare agencies to support them while in custody

Pick-up and drop offs to a safe location upon release

Working with Victoria Police and other agencies on appropriate diversionary programs

The key goals of the service include reducing recidivism, enhancing community safety and fostering stronger relationships between Aboriginal communities and the state-wide justice system.

Role Overview:

Salary and contract length: $124,676.64 – $135,000 plus 11.5% Superannuation. Full-time, fixed term for 12 months.

Location: Based at our Preston Office, 3072

As the Aboriginal Community Justice Panels Project Officer (Project Officer), you will support the Aboriginal Community Justice Panels in designing and implementing a professional service model across three pilot sites: Shepparton, Mildura and Bendigo.

You will work under the direction of the Statewide Chairperson, and will play a key role in supporting and driving significant operational transformation within the Aboriginal Community Justice Panels.

This role is critical in ensuring effective governance, risk management, and consultant oversight while enabling strategic decision-making through high-quality reporting and presentations to senior government stakeholders.

This position is ideal for a proactive and strategic thinker who is experienced in supporting complex change initiatives across diverse stakeholder environments

Key Responsibilities:

Support the planning and delivery of high-impact transformation projects, ensuring alignment with Aboriginal Community Justice Panels objectives and funder expectations.

Lead and coordinate project governance activities, including preparation of agendas, minutes, action logs, and decision registers for steering committees and working groups.

Manage relationships with external consultants and service providers, ensuring clear deliverables, accountability, and value-for-money outcomes.

Oversee project risk identification, assessment, monitoring and mitigation strategies to support informed decision-making and ensure project success.

Prepare comprehensive reporting to funders, including status updates, briefing notes, performance dashboards, and formal progress submissions.

Develop and deliver high-quality presentations and written materials tailored for senior stakeholders and executive leadership.

Work collaboratively to ensure a unified approach to change, communication, and delivery.

Monitor project timelines, budgets, and deliverables using appropriate project management methodologies and tools.

Contribute to the evaluation of change initiatives and support the embedding of continuous improvement practices across the Aboriginal Community Justice Panels

Undertake other duties & responsibilities within the scope of the role as directed

Key Selection Criteria

Demonstrated understanding of the role of the Aboriginal Community Justice Panels

Ability to work with Aboriginal and 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.

Tertiary qualifications in business, project management, public administration, or a related field; or equivalent demonstrated experience.

Demonstrated business acumen and strategic thinking in the context of organisational change and transformation.

Proven experience in managing governance processes and ensuring robust oversight of project initiatives.

Experience in managing external consultants and contract deliverables within large or complex projects.

Strong capability in risk management, including identification, analysis, reporting, and mitigation planning.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to develop reports and present complex information clearly and persuasively to senior government audiences.

High-level interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working across diverse internal and external stakeholder groups.

Strong organisational and project coordination skills

Formal project management qualifications or demonstrated experience applying structured methodologies.

Experience working in or with government agencies or departments.

Understanding of public sector governance, policy environments, and reporting protocols

Ability to work autonomously and to collaborate in a small team environment.

Experience working in the non-profit sector/ACCO sector.

Location

- 150 Commerical Road, Morwell, VIC 3840
- Unit 3 / 262 Maude St, Shepparton, VIC 3630

Role Requirements

- Provide high quality legal services in Family Law matters, including duty lawyer services, representation, advice and information to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
- Engage with Aboriginal community stakeholders to identify key community legal education (CLE) needs relevant to the regional and local context.
- Link with, and oversee the development of, partnerships and referral and support pathways within the Mildura region to assist VALS clients with access to other legal assistance and services relevant to them.

How to apply

To apply for one of the above opportunities please provide:

- A covering letter outlining who you are and why you are suited to this position.
- A statement addressing each of the key selection criteria– applications submitted without a statement addressing the key selection criteria will not be accepted.
- Your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees.

Please submit your application to jobs@vals.org.au

When offered a role at VALS

On offer of a position, it is mandatory for you to provide:

- Copy of your current Employee Working with Children Card.
- You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check.
- Up to date vaccination certificate or valid medical exemption
- Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e., a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate, or Immigration VISA documentation
- Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role

#J-18808-Ljbffr