At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.

The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers

We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?

• Utilise your Community Services expertise to provide support and advice to the Victim Services Support and Reform branch
• An Ongoing, Full-Time opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
• VPS Grade 4: $91,418 - $103,725 plus superannuation.

About the Business Unit:

The Victim Services, Support and Reform (VSSR) branch is part of the Service Delivery Reform, Coordination and Workplace Safety group in the Department of Justice and Community Safety. The VSSR is responsible for coordinating a suite of services for victims of crime that provide information and support to help manage the effects of crime and guide victims through the criminal justice system across Victoria.

About the Role:

The Child Witness Officer (CWS) is a state wide specialist case management service for child witnesses (up to 18 years at the time charges were laid) and their families and/or carers.

Some of your duties will include:

• Providing specialist case management to child witnesses and their families, when children are witnesses in criminal matters. The service is provided for matters heard in the Magistrates, County and Supreme Courts and the criminal division of the Children's Court
• Quickly building rapport with children and adolescents aged 3 – 18 years of age and their families/carers and possessing a good understanding of child development and the possible impacts on children of being subjected to (or witness to) violent crimes 
• Assessing child witnesses' specific needs that may affect their participation in the criminal justice process and tailoring court preparation to the child's individual needs accordingly, e.g., working with child witnesses to identify stress management techniques that will work for them. This may include working collaboratively with other professionals such as Intermediaries who conduct specialist assessments of children to assist children to give their best evidence in Court. 

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.

About You:

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Extensive experience in the provision of direct services to children who have experienced trauma
• Demonstrated experience in working in community and/or Court based settings
• Sound knowledge of child development and the impact of trauma and abuse on child development.

Qualifications

• Tertiary Qualifications in a human services related profession such as Social Work, Psychology or Allied Health and registration with the appropriate body is highly desirable
• A current ‘Working with Children Check' will be required on commencement
• A current driver's licence is essential.

How to Apply: