Conciliation Officer: Expert Dispute Resolution (Melbourne)

Department of Government Services; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Government Services (DGS) in Melbourne is seeking a Conciliation Officer to lead complex dispute assessments and support parties toward fair outcomes. You will prepare formal recommendations and maintain case records in a government environment.

This ongoing role requires strong negotiation, impartiality, and collaborative work with DSCV staff, while advancing policy improvements and best-practice approaches within the VPS framework.

Qualifications

• Influence and Persuasion: Tailor messaging to audience and plan objections.
• Interpersonal Skills: See perspectives, understand stakeholders needs.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Analyze guidelines and resolve issues.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Accept changes and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the assessment and analysis of complex disputes, diagnose requirements and inform strategies while remaining impartial.
• Provide high-level, expert advice to parties and stakeholders on resolution options; refer to specialist services when needed.
• Facilitate parties toward mutually acceptable outcomes using advanced negotiation techniques and clear issue articulation.
• Exercise expert judgment to determine appropriate actions using documentation from multiple sources.
• Plan, coordinate and lead conciliation conferences with comprehensive briefing materials and recommendations.
• Maintain high-quality case management and accurate records in systems following DSCV policies.
• Mentor, coach and train DSCV staff to build capability and promote best practice.

Skills

Influence and Persuasion

Interpersonal Skills

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Flexibility and Adaptability

Job description

The Department of Government Services (DGS) in Melbourne is seeking a Conciliation Officer to lead complex dispute assessments and support parties toward fair outcomes. You will prepare formal recommendations and maintain case records in a government environment.

This ongoing role requires strong negotiation, impartiality, and collaborative work with DSCV staff, while advancing policy improvements and best-practice approaches within the VPS framework.