Advocate Guardian

Utilise your critical thinking and decision making skills to provide support and advice to the Office of the Public Advocate
- 2 Fixed term opportunities to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
- VPS Grade 5: $103,920 - $114,828 plus superannuation

About the Business Unit
The Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) is an independent statutory office accountable to the Victorian Parliament which has been established to protect the rights of, and enhance the position of, people with disabilities in Victoria. OPA is a human rights organisation that promotes the diversity and inclusion of all people. OPA's vision is of a just and inclusive society that values and respects people from all walks of life and ages. OPA promotes a workplace culture where disability, and diversity of gender identities, sexualities, faiths, ethnicities, and abilities are respected. OPA values a range of experience in its employees, including professional, volunteer and lived experience.
One of the principal functions of the Public Advocate, when appointed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), is to act as guardian of last resort for persons with disability when there is no other suitable person available.

About the Role
Individual advocate guardians act under delegation from the Public Advocate. As substitute decision makers they are authorised to make decisions and undertake advocacy on behalf of the person under guardianship (the represented person). The scope of the role varies depending upon the authority provided by the VCAT order, but typically includes decisions in regard to where a person may live, what medical treatment they may receive and the services they may require.
The advocate guardian role involves contact with the represented person, their family and support networks along with other professionals and service providers. The role can be challenging as it often involves situations of conflict or complexity.

About you
- Knowledge of the Victorian human services sector and detailed experience in one of the areas of disability, mental health, acquired brain injury or aged care.
- Experience with NDIS procedures and protocols is highly desirable.
- A sound understanding of contemporary issues relating to disability, including mental illness and age-related disability, is desirable along with an understanding of their implications for practice.

Qualifications/Requirements
- A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable but not essential.

How to Apply

**FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES**:
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**:
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). Therefore, there is a requirement that all DJCS employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to undertake duties outside of their homes.
At interview stage and prior to commencement of employment with the department, you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 with three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. 
Upon commencement of employment with the department you will be required to provide evidence that you have an up-to-date vaccination status within the timelines specified by the department into the DJCS Service Portal. This includes evidence of three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine required by the department (from time to time).

**Acceptable evidence includes**:
*
- COVID-19 digital certificate (available via your myGov account)
- Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account)

Other documentation outside the above will not be accepted as evidence of having received your COVID-19 vaccine doses.