Koori Community Engagement Officer, Echuca Magistrates' Court

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.

**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.

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.

The Koori Court aims to enhance access to justice, provide culturally appropriate services, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and reduce reoffending and over representation in the criminal justice system. The Koori Court sentences Koori defendants and it has been created under the Magistrates Court Act 1989 and operates as a division of the Magistrates' Court. The Koori Court, sits within the Specialist Courts and Programs Division; and is one of a range of support services and problem-solving courts within the Magistrates' Court of Victoria. These specialist courts and court support programs aim to improve the court's responsiveness to Victoria's diverse and growing community, and to improve outcomes for people presenting at court.

**About the Role**

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 Court Officer's role aims to improve the court experience for Koori 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.

**About You**
- Demonstrated understanding of cultural issues and the unique challenges faced by Koori communities
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to liaise with diverse stakeholders
- Ability to plan and manage community engagement projects effectively
- Proficiency in data collection, reporting, and maintaining records
- A current driver's license is essential

**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.