Koori Community Engagement Officer, Echuca

**About us**

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) is a jurisdiction within the Court Services Victoria statutory authority and has a long history of providing justice for the people of Victoria in metropolitan and regional courts across the state.

The Court determines in excess of 300,000 cases per annum at 51 venues, equating to approximately 90 percent of all cases that come before Victorian courts each year. The Court aims to be an innovative, accessible, and responsive court that provides quality services to the Victorian community.

**About the role**
- Provide non legal advice and support to Aboriginal accused as well as Aboriginal victims of crime.
- Provide assistance and non-legal advice to Aboriginal accused and/or young person's presenting before the Court with their court outcomes and obligations as well as victims of crime, including those in custody and their families.
- Provide advice and supports to the Magistrates' and relevant staff/stakeholders, in relation to services and programs that are available to assist Aboriginal accused and/or young person before the Court.
- Provide appropriate advice to Koori Court Elders and Respected Persons on all matters concerning the Koori Court Jurisdiction.
- Provide project planning and management of Koori community engagement activities at Echuca Magistrates' Court.
- Identify and maintain a register of services and programs offered by local service providers with a specific emphasis on Koori offender and or victim support services.
- Engage with and inform the Aboriginal community concerning various relevant jurisdictions in the court system where appropriate.
- Liaise with Community Corrections officers and Youth Justice workers to support their development of offender management plans or reports for the court that are suitable for Aboriginal accused and/or young person, where appropriate.
- Engage with and inform the Koori community about the various jurisdictions within the court system.
- Promote and build awareness of the role of the Magistrates and Koori Courts within the Aboriginal community and other key government, non-government and with community stakeholders.
- Maintain and collect statistical data in relation to Aboriginal accused and/or young person appearing before the Koori Court and provide monthly reports to the Koori Court Unit and the Echuca Magistrate's Manager of Listings.
- Attend Koori Court Unit meetings as required.
- Support and develop project initiatives as required.
- Travel to other Loddon Mallee locations to support Koori Court Officers when required.
- A current driver 's licence is essential to the position.
- Optional engagement with the Koori Staff Network, attendance at events and memberships of the Koori VPS3 & 4 group.
- Other duties as directed.

**About you**

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. The Koori Community Engagement Officer will be responsible for the delivery of key administrative, promotional and liaison tasks within the Court to support Koori/Aboriginal people presenting at Court.

The Koori Community Engagement Officer will work within the Koori Court Division of the Magistrates' Court as required. The Koori Community Engagement Officer's role aims to improve the court experience for Koori/Aboriginal people and their families.

The role will assist the Court in providing a more culturally appropriate response to Koori/Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in the criminal division through:

- Assist and advise the Court of matters relating to cultural issues that exist for Koori people in Victoria.
- Provide advice and access to services for Koori offenders and families that come in contact with the Court.
- Raise awareness within the court system of cross-cultural issues.
- Maintaining and fostering links between the Magistrates' Court, the Children's Court and the Aboriginal community.
- Liaise with the Aboriginal community to inform of court processes including Koori Court.

**How to apply**
- resume
- a short cover letter

**Other information**

CSV is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce.

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.

We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.