Administrative Assistant

**Administrative Assistant**
- **Join a Mission-Driven Team Supporting Australian Veterans**_

Are you an organised, compassionate, and adaptable professional with a passion for making a difference? AVAC Services is seeking a skilled **Administrative Assistant** to join our team from **9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday.**

At AVAC Services, we provide professional advocacy and support to Australian veterans, and we’re looking for someone who can bring their expertise to help us deliver exceptional service. This role is integral to the success of our claims process, requiring a high level of organisation, resilience, and the ability to adapt to sensitive situations.

**What You'll Do**:

- File and manage claim documents.
- Assist clients with queries and follow up with stakeholders.
- Conduct periodic case reviews to ensure cases are progressing effectively.
- Maintain accurate records in the CRM system.
- Support general office administration, including ordering supplies and maintaining an organised workspace.

**About You**:
We are looking for someone who:

- Has strong organisational and communication skills.
- Can maintain professionalism and emotional maturity when handling sensitive or traumatic material.
- Possesses a proactive mindset and the ability to work independently.
- Is familiar with CRM systems and general administrative tools.
- Is committed to excellence and thrives in a team environment.

**How to Apply**:
To apply, please provide the following:

- **Your Resume.**:

- **A Cover Letter detailing your relevant experience.**:

- **A Video Application.**:

- **A Written Contention**

In your **video**, please:
In your **written contention,** please:

- Contend as to why **osteoarthritis of the knee** may be related to service in the Australian Army.

A contention is a formal written statement that explains the connection (nexus) between a condition and a person’s military service, providing clear and factual reasoning to support a claim. It should address the nature of the condition, the specific duties or events during service that contributed to it, and how those duties or events caused or worsened the condition.

**Tips**: Use clear and concise language, provide examples from service to support the connection, and avoid emotional language, focusing instead on factual, evidence-based reasoning. Be sure to include details about the physical or psychological demands of service that relate directly to the condition.

**Army Duties**:

- **Carrying Heavy Loads**: Regularly carrying heavy packs, equipment, and supplies, often exceeding 20-40 kilograms, places significant strain on the knees, especially during prolonged marches or operational deployments.
- **Navigating Rough Terrain**: Walking or running on uneven surfaces, steep inclines, or rocky ground during training exercises or field operations increases joint impact and stress on the knees.
- **Physical Training**: Repetitive high-impact activities such as running, jumping, and obstacle course training are common in the Army and can accelerate wear and tear on the knee joints.
- **Kneeling and Crawling**: Frequently kneeling, crouching, or crawling during tactical drills or field exercises puts pressure on the knee joints, leading to cumulative damage over time.
- **Fire and Manoeuvre Drills**: The physical demands of getting into and out of firing positions, such as kneeling or squatting repeatedly under load, place strain on the knees.
- **Parade and Drill Activities**: Prolonged standing, marching, and abrupt changes in movement during parade practice and drills can cause repetitive stress on the knee joints.
- **Carrying and Setting Up Heavy Equipment**: Tasks like setting up heavy weaponry, communication devices, or shelters require lifting, squatting, and moving with weight, increasing knee joint strain.

**Example**:

- It is contended that the claimant’s osteoarthritis of the shoulder developed as a result of their service in the Australian Army. Throughout their time in service, the claimant was regularly required to lift and carry heavy objects using their upper body as part of their duties. On average, these activities totaled over 100 hours per month, placing repeated strain on their upper body. _
- The claimant’s tasks often involved carrying equipment, supplies, and other items over long distances, including uneven terrain, and sometimes in challenging weather conditions. These physical demands were a normal part of their role and were performed with limited opportunities for rest or recovery. Over time, the repetitive strain caused by these activities likely led to wear and tear on their joints, particularly in shoulder region._
- The claimant began to notice joint pain and stiffness during their service, which has since worsened. Based on the nature of their military duties and the physical strain they endured, it is believed that their osteoarthritis of the shoulder is directly connected to their time in the