Lead Investigator

Department of Government Services; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Government Services in Melbourne, VIC invites applications for a Lead Investigator role within Consumer Affairs and Local Government. The successful candidate will lead investigations, manage enforcement actions, prepare briefs of evidence for legal proceedings, and provide expert guidance to staff while aligning with strategic priorities across compliance programs.

The role requires a Certificate IV in Government (Investigations) or equivalent, at least three years of

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Government (Investigations) or equivalent is essential.
• A minimum of three years investigative and enforcement experience, especially in briefs of evidence.
• Strong compliance background is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead and/or contribute to investigations and enforcement activities under the legislation administered by the office.
• Provide authoritative analysis and advice on litigation strategies and case management.
• Prepare and provide specialist guidance on complex cases and support the Team Manager to meet expectations.
• Mentor and support other investigators to progress their investigations and knowledge.
• Inform traders, community groups and consumers about rights and obligations under the legislation.
• Develop, review and enhance investigation plans and conduct regular case reviews.
• Identify issues from ongoing case management and propose best-practice improvements.

Skills

Investigations leadership

Enforcement experience

Briefs of evidence

Legal proceedings

Education

Certificate IV in Government (Investigations)

Job description

Department of Government Services – Melbourne VIC

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day‑to‑day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.

You can find out more about our Ministers, leadership and entities here: Department of Government Services.

About Us

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day‑to‑day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.

You can find out more about our Ministers, leadership and entities here: Department of Government Services.

Consumer Affairs and Local Government

We are responsible for policy development, regulatory design and administration, system and program design, and the delivery of services in the best interest of Victorians, Our work spans across both the Consumer Affairs and Local Government ministerial portfolios. We work together to identify strategic priorities, drive system and regulatory reform and coordinate our department's emergency management responsibilities to improve practical outcomes for the community.

About the Role

Reporting to the Team Manager, Investigations and Compliance, the Lead Investigator will have background and experience in leading investigations culminating in enforcement interventions (including submission of briefs of evidence for legal proceedings in the criminal, civil, and tribunal jurisdictions), using a range of risk‑based compliance and enforcement tools and approaches. The role includes leading complex investigations, providing guidance to staff, contributing to the strategic direction of Investigations and Compliance and participating in projects targeted at identifying non‑compliance within specific areas of consumer law.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and/or contribute to a range of inquiries, investigations, and monitoring activities pursuant to the legislation administered by this office including the preparation of reports and briefs of evidence in criminal, civil and tribunal matters. Obtain relevant evidence and information from witnesses, suspects, and other parties for use in legal proceedings.


• Provide authoritative analysis and advice on effective and efficient strategies to progress litigation and case management generally.


• Prepare and provide specialist technical advice, especially on large and/or complex compliance and enforcement cases and supports the Team Manager to meet team expectations


• Provides guidance, training and support to other investigators to progress their investigations and investigative knowledge


• Provide information to traders, community groups, consumers as to the rights and obligations under the legislation administered by the office.


• Develop, review, and enhance investigation plans and conduct regular case reviews in consultation with managers and colleagues.


• Identify issues emerging from ongoing case management of investigations and enforcement activities and make best practice recommendations.

Mandatory requirements

• Certificate IV in Government (Investigations) or equivalent is essential.


• A minimum of three years previous investigative and enforcement experience, particularly in the preparation of briefs of evidence, is preferred.


• A strong compliance background is also highly regarded.


• A current Driver’s Licence is essential.

This role is an ongoing position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

For more information, please see the Position Description

Other relevant information

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre‑employment screening. DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.