Koori Advisory Officer

**About Us**

Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission.

Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the ‘Courts Group'.

Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdictions own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.

**County Court of Victoria**

The County Court of Victoria is established pursuant to the County Court Act 1958. It has original and appellate jurisdiction and is the principal trial court in the State of Victoria. The Court hears over 12,000 criminal, common law, and commercial cases each year. The County Court has unlimited monetary jurisdiction in common law and commercial matters. In its criminal jurisdiction, the Court hears all indictable offences except treason, murder, and related offences.

There are a total of 80 Judges of the Court and over 300 staff, including judicial support staff. The County Court regularly conducts circuit sittings at 12 circuit courts situated in major centres throughout regional Victoria.

The County Court is committed to continuous improvement in accordance with the International Framework for Court Excellence. The Court's vision is to be a leader in court excellence, delivering the highest standard of justice to the community and inspiring public confidence in the rule of law.

**About the Role**

The Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court (DATC) is part of the innovative and dynamic Specialist Courts Division of the County Court of Victoria. The foundatonal purpose of the DATC is to promote recovery and through the rehabilitation of its participants, protect the community from further substance driven offending. The Koori Advisory Officer (KAO) will engage with Judicial Officers, Legal Representatives, Community, ACCOs and ACCHOs, DMDU, and Koori participants.

Your duties will include:

- community engagement to develop links that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and incrase referrals
- informing the development and implementation of practices, policies and procedures that support improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants who are on a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order
- being a member of the DATC multidisciplinary team and provide specialist advice to the court
- collaboration with designated roles in CCV and other jurisdictions in furthering the cultural safety and effectiveness of the DATC
- supporting Self Determination; and
- direct cultural support with DATC participants including cultural assessments.

**About You**

You will have:

- a sound knowledge of Victorian Aboriginal culture, society, and an ability to communicate effectively with Victorian Aboriginal people is required.
- an appreciation and sensitive approach to the needs of, and aspirations, of Victorian Aboriginal communities is essential.
- experience and/or understanding of the justice system is desirable.
- qualification and/or experience in case management, counselling, social work, justice, AoD, mental health is desirable.

**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.