About the role:

A full-time on-going Lawyer role has arisen in the Civil Litigation Unit of the Legal Services Department which comprises a broader team of in-house lawyers and police members.

The Civil Litigation Unit is responsible for the management and coordination of civil proceedings including litigation and coronial inquests directed at Victoria Police and individual members as a consequence of the performance of policing duties, as well as judicial review matters.  Furthermore, the Civil Litigation Unit is also responsible for reviewing proposals for legislative reforms which relate to litigation functions. As a Lawyer in the Civil Litigation Unit, you will be required to work autonomously, and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Victoria Police is a contemporary and agile workplace and supports flexible working arrangements.

Your duties will include:

• Acting as the case manager on behalf of Victoria Police in litigation and Coronial Inquests, and other forms of legal process, where Victoria Police identifies a risk or interest. This will include attending Court hearings and participating in mediation and other related conferences representing Victoria Police and providing instructions to engaged law firms and Counsel.
• Providing briefings and advice to senior management to inform decision making regarding litigation, inquests and other legal processes in which Victoria Police has an interest.
• Acting as a liaison point between legal representatives and Victoria Police members involved in litigation, inquests and other legal processes, facilitating instructions, providing legal support and guidance.
• Providing a legal advisory and legal research service to Victoria Police Departments in relation to the legal Services managed by the Civil Litigation Division.
• Assisting with project management work including the development, improvement and ongoing management of policies and procedures, including engagement with external stakeholders.
• Administrative tasks to ensure the delivery of high quality legal services.

As the successful applicant, you will have:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills to facilitate liaison between managers, police members and legal practitioners engaged by Victoria Police.
• Excellent analytical skills to identify, coordinate and analyse relevant material required for legal proceedings.
• Sound knowledge of Victoria Police's operating environment and organisational structure to inform decision-making in legal proceedings.
• Sound understanding and application of the professionalism, ethics and integrity required to manage sensitive and high risk matters having regard to the State of Victoria's obligations as a model litigant and the integrity and reputation of Victoria Police.
• Admission to practice as an Australian Lawyer and possess or immediately eligible to apply for a current Practicing Certificate. This can be a restricted Practicing Certificate.

Requirements and relevant information:

• One (1) x full-time, ongoing position available.
• The salary range for a VPS3 role is $74,580 to $90,558 (covering salary ranges VPSG3.1 and VPSG3.2).  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 Victoria Police Centre, 311 Spencer Street, Docklands.
• This position requires shift work as indicated in the Position Description (as attached to the advertisement).
• 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.

Your application must include:

• Resume
• Completed application form – the word document (2. Application form) for you to complete and attach to your submission, is attached to the job advertisement.
• A copy of your Australian Practicing Certificate

Applications close midnight, 1 May 2024

Please Note: All applications will need to be submitted through one of the following platforms; Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) website, Victorian Government careers website (Careers.vic) or Seek. Applications will not be accepted via other platforms or email.

Current Victorian Government employees must apply via Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE). 

For further information, please contact: Managing Principal Lawyer Matthew Haslem on (03) 8327 6835 or matthew.haslem@police.vic.gov.au. No recruitment agencies please.

We welcome applications from people with disability. If you have a disability/medical condition and require a copy of this advertisement and attached documentation in an accessible format or would like to discuss an access requirement/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process, please contact VPS Recruitment via email VPSRECRUITMENT@police.vic.gov.au or on (03) 8335 8082.

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. 

Having a workforce that reflects the community we serve is important to Victoria Police. We want to attract and retain people of all genders, ages, religions, disability, sexual orientation, family and caring responsibilities, and cultures including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. If you are interested in a position, we encourage you to apply as we celebrate the benefit that diversity brings to our employees, our services, and our community.

Find out what it is like working as a Victorian Public Servant for Victoria Police: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/vps