Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer

Title: Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer - Dandenong

Location: Dandenong Australia

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $89,029 - $104,924

Grade: WVR 3.2

Occupation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services

Location: Melbourne - Inner South East suburbs

Reference: VG/VG/1942559

VLA is seeking two dedicated Aboriginal Community Engagement Officers to improve legal services for Victoria's First Peoples through client support, community engagement, and collaboration.

• Full time, ongoing
• Salary based on experience, range: $89,029 - $104,924 (pro rata) plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role:

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is seeking an Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer (ACEO) to join our teams in the following offices:

• Dandenong
• Frankston

The ACEO plays an important role in improving VLA's efforts to enhance the delivery of legal assistance services to Victoria's First Peoples community. 

This is a specialist, non-legal role predominantly focusing on client support, community engagement and empowering people through knowledge. The ACEO may assist in the often-complex nature of intersecting criminal law, family law and civil law legal needs of First Peoples clients and help them access the legal help that will suit them best. 

This is a special measures role and only Australian First Peoples are eligible to apply, as per the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Accordingly, applicants who do not identify as Australian First Peoples will not be considered.

Please ONLY apply if you identify as Australian First Peoples.

About you:

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Ability to support community members in accessing VLA services and provide referrals to appropriate organisations.
• Proven skills in engaging with the First Peoples community in the relevant regions through events and meetings, promoting VLA services, and collaborating with other legal providers.
• Ability to maintain accurate, confidential client records in compliance with organizational requirements.
• Willingness to contribute to VLA's initiatives engaging positively with First Peoples communities, potentially through the Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Ability to work with other ACEOs and VLA staff to support clients, maintain community connections, and provide peer support.
• Previous experience in roles involving direct interaction with clients, demonstrating strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Background in navigating service delivery systems and understanding of legal processes, particularly in client-facing roles.

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

About Victoria Legal Aid:
We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1000 staff employed in 15 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems. Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve. 

Employee benefits:

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing

How to apply:

To be considered for this role, please submit a current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description.

If you require adjustment to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team. 

For further information review the attached position description or contact Kye Hardie on 03 9269 0534.

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Other relevant information:

It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community. 

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.