About the role:

The Spent Convictions Act 2021 has created a new ‘spent convictions scheme' that allows Victorians who have previously committed an offence, but have since demonstrated their ability to rehabilitate, the ability to apply to have their convictions spent.

As of 1 July 2022, people with convictions for sexual offences or serious violent offences or people with sentencing outcomes of more than 30 months can apply to the Magistrates' Court in limited circumstances to have their convictions spent after serving the relevant crime-free period. The Chief Commissioner of Police can make submissions in proceedings in the Magistrates' Court if police object to an individual's application to have their convictions spent.

The Supervising Lawyer is a central part of the Spent Convictions Legal Unit within Victoria Police, supervised by a Managing Principal Solicitor, and supported by another VPS 5 Supervising Lawyer and a VPS 2 Legal Support Officer (paralegal). The Supervising Lawyer will be required to manage caseloads independently, and as part of the Spent Convictions team, and will be required to triage, draft submissions and briefs, receive instructions from Delegates of the Chief Commissioner of Police, and appear in contested court proceedings in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria. The Supervising Lawyer roles may also be required to assist the Administrative Law and Privacy Legal Unit within Victoria Police, which may include appearance work at VCAT and some other higher courts.

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

Your duties will include:

• Court and tribunal appearance and advocacy work, including in the Magistrates Court of Victoria and in VCAT
• Develop and maintain specialist knowledge on the Spent Convictions Act 2021 and related legislation
• Brief delegates (including the Chief Commissioner of Police) in relation to applications for expungement of convictions
• Drafting legal advice
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders as required

As the successful applicant, you will have:

• Experience in court appearance and advocacy work, preferably in the Magistrates' Court jurisdiction
• Established legal advocacy and advice experience working within small teams
• Well-developed stakeholder management experience
• Experience in briefing senior managers and client areas
• Strong work ethic and well-developed skills to work collaboratively with others

Requirements and relevant information:

• One (1) x full-time, ongoing position available until 30/06/2024.
• This position is located at Victoria Police Centre, 311 Spencer Street, Docklands.
• Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.
• The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• In accordance with the Acting Chief Health Officer's Direction – COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions, you are required to be fully vaccinated (this includes a booster vaccination) and your employment with Victoria Police is subject to proof of vaccination.
• 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
• A copy of your Australian Legal Practising Certificate.

Applications close midnight 30 March 2023.

Please Note: All applications will need to be submitted through one of the following platforms; Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) the Victorian Government careers website (Careers.vic) website 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 on this role please contact: For further information on this role please contact: Claire Kalliakmanis on (03) 8335 7227 or via email claire.kalliakmanis@police.vic.gov.au. No recruitment agency calls please.

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 requirements/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process, please contact VPS Recruitment via email VPSRECRUITMENT@police.vic.gov.au or on (03) 8335 8081.

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