Information Referral Officer

Victoria Legal Aid; Ballarat; Hybrid; AUD 81,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Hybrid work model

Generous leave benefits

Salary packaging up to $15,900

Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650

Novated Leasing

Job summary

Victoria Legal Aid Ballarat is seeking a dedicated role to provide high-quality support to people affected by family violence, guiding them through legal options and services. You will triage, assess risk, deliver clear information and referrals, and assist clients in court and by phone.

Based at Ballarat on Wadawurrung Country, the role collaborates with duty lawyers, police, court staff and community services to ensure clients feel safe, heard and supported throughout the court process, with

Qualifications

• Experience working in a legal setting, particularly in family violence, child protection or criminal law.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify people's needs and appropriate support.
• Clear, respectful communication skills, including the ability to support people who may be distressed or under pressure.
• An understanding of the legal and support services available to people affected by family violence.
• The ability to remain calm, focused and responsive in a busy court environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality support to people affected by family violence, helping them understand legal options and access services.
• Perform triage, identify and respond to risk, provide timely legal information and referrals.
• Support people in person at court and by telephone, coordinating with duty lawyers and court staff.
• Collaborate with police, registrars and community services to ensure clients feel safe, heard and supported.

Skills

Problem solving

Clear communication

Empathy under pressure

Team collaboration

Job description

• Salary range: $81,081 - $96,976 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement
  

• Full-time ongoing position (part-time application considered)
• Salary range: $81,081 - $96,976 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement
  

About the role

In this role, you'll provide high-quality support to people affected by family violence, helping them understand their legal options and access appropriate services. You'll provide triage, identify and respond to risk, provide clear and timely legal information and referrals, and support people both in person at court and by telephone.

You'll work closely with duty lawyers, Victoria Police, court staff, registrars, family violence support workers and other legal and community services to ensure people feel safe, heard, respected and supported throughout the court process.

This role is based at our Ballarat office on Wadawurrung Country

Why Ballarat?

• Our office is just over an hour drive from Melbourne and Geelong.
• All the amenities of a city, without the extended commute to work.
• Exposure to multiple practice areas including crime, child protection, family violence, family law and civil justice.
• Opportunity to deliver community legal education with legal staff and other specialist roles.
• Feel a sense of connectedness and community from working in regional Australia.

About YouAs Our Ideal Candidate, You Will Possess

• Experience working in a legal setting, particularly in family violence, child protection or criminal law.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify people's needs and appropriate support.
• Clear, respectful communication skills, including the ability to support people who may be distressed or under pressure.
• An understanding of the legal and support services available to people affected by family violence.
• The ability to remain calm, focused and responsive in a busy court environment.

About VLA

We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1500+ staff employed in 16 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

• A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Generous leave benefits, including:
  • Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
  • Paid gender affirmation leave
  • Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
• Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
• Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.