AS THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT, YOU WILL HAVE:

• Be admitted to practice as an Australian Lawyer.
• Have an unrestricted Australian Practising Certificate or be immediately eligible to apply for one.
• A comprehensive understanding of the law of evidence, bail, sentencing and criminal procedure.
• The ability to work in a team and in a developing and emerging work environment.
• A high level of resilience and emotional intelligence.
• High level understanding and experience as a court advocate.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the Victorian criminal justice system and a commitment to keeping abreast of changing trends, policies and legislation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A current and valid Victorian Driver Licence (mandatory).

REQUIREMENTS AND RELEVANT INFORMATION:

• One (1) x full-time, fixed term position until 30/06/2027 available.
• The salary range for a VPS4 role is $97,955 to $111,142. Although it is standard practice for selected candidates to commence at the base of the salary range, genuine consideration will be given to a commencement salary within the available range that is commensurate with the successful candidate’s knowledge, skills and experiences. This will be subject to negotiations with the Hiring Manager in the course of the selection process and may include the provision of evidence of a higher income and/or supporting documentation (as required).
• This position is located at 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
• While based at the Melbourne office SAU’s practice area is the entire state. The successful applicant will be required to appear at suburban and regional courts with overnight accommodation provided where necessary.
• Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• As a member of the Legal Services Department you will be located, on selection, at a specific office within a Division for a particular advertised opportunity. However, given occasional legal service demand issues you may be required at times to undertake varied work within the Department. This supports the Departments commitment to a flexible and deployable legal workforce and professional development opportunities in a range of legal domains.

ABOUT US:

Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees consisting of police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Each employee plays a vital role in providing the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response and public safety capability the organisation delivers to its community. As a Victoria Police employee, you have a dedication and commitment to community safety.
Victoria Police is committed to creating a workplace that is safe and inclusive of all our people. We empower and expect our people, at all levels, to develop interpersonal connections and collaborate, use sound judgement, and create and innovate.
In alignment with the principle of self-determination, Victoria Police is dedicated to enhancing our collaboration with the Aboriginal community in Victoria as we build a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. We continue to engage and build relationships with local Aboriginal communities and work closely with them to enhance opportunities and services aimed at empowerment, equality, and equal participation across all areas of the organisation.
We value the diversity and differences of our employees, including their age, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, and life experience. We celebrate these diverse experiences and perspectives as each person brings an informed and contemporary approach to our work which enhances the wellbeing of all. We aim to provide a safe place that is reflective of the community it serves, allowing everyone to bring their whole selves to work.”
If after reading this, you’re not sure you tick every single criteria box, but have the passion to get behind our purpose, the determination to face a challenge and a willingness to grow and learn, we think you should click the apply button anyway. We’re passionate about building a diverse and inclusive team, and love hearing from people like you.
Find out what it is like working as a Victorian Public Servant for Victoria Police: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/vp

ABOUT THE ROLE:

This is an exciting opportunity to progress your career and obtain experience working as a Senior Police Lawyer - Advocate in the Specialist Advocacy Unit within the Courts and Prosecution Services Division of the Victoria Police Legal Services Department (LSD). Our vision is to be a centre of prosecutorial and legal excellence, with people who are recognised as being fair, just and valued partners in the Victorian justice system.
Victoria Police’s LSD provides legal services and advice to support policing, courts, and the Victorian community. The LSD is led by an Executive Director (who is also the organisation’s General Counsel) and employs over 800 staff spread across four divisions - the Office of the Executive Director; the Specialist Legal and Litigation Division; the Courts & Prosecution Services Division; and the Legal Business Operations Division.
The Specialist Advocacy Unit is a team of specialist criminal law advocates who represent Victoria Police in state-wide complex and high-profile prosecutions in the Magistrates’ and Children’s Court, and in the Family Violence jurisdiction of the County Court. Senior Advocates within the team also appear in complex bail applications and judicial reviews in the Supreme Court of Victoria and provide high level legal advice across a range of complex issues to the Chief Commissioner of Police and other internal stakeholders.
If you are an experienced criminal law advocate with exceptional advocacy and written communication skills, who has experience conducting matters concerning all manner of summary criminal offences, and want to work in an inclusive, positive and fast-paced environment, then this is the role for you!
The role is advocacy focused and anticipate you will have some prior in court advocacy experience. However, the successful applicants will also be provided opportunities for training and professional development through courses and on the job training.
To be successful in this recruitment you will need to demonstrate an ability to appear as a court advocate and manage competing priorities effectively, with a sound understanding of the Victorian criminal justice system.
Victoria Police is a contemporary and agile workplace and supports flexible working arrangements.

YOUR DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Preparation and appearance work in both the Magistrates’ and Children’s Court jurisdictions around the state within the summary crime, youth crime, and family violence areas of practice.
• Appearing in Bail applications in the Magistrates.
• Provision of legal advice in areas of skill and knowledge, including the drafting of court submissions.
• Provision of support and assistance to Principal and Senior Advocates in the management of more complex cases heard in the County Court and other jurisdictions.
• Preparing legal advice for Victoria Police on a range of complex matters.
• Provision of professional guidance to Legal Support Officers as directed.
• Working with internal and external stakeholders across agencies to ensure cooperative and proactive approaches to addressing community harm.
• Establishment and maintenance of productive working relationships with all legal representatives and court staff