Senior Consultant, Workplace Relations

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 116,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC in Melbourne seeks a senior consultant – workplace relations to help managers resolve complex staff issues, advise on performance, conduct, and change, and support fair decisions across Victoria’s justice system. You will provide practical coaching, manage complex cases, write briefs, guide change through negotiation, and contribute to policy improvements.

Two fixed-term, full-time roles, ending in Oct 2027 and Jun 2027, offer $116,413–$140,849 plus

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in industrial relations, human resources or employment law.
• Experience advising managers on workplace matters, preferably in government.
• Knowledge of Victorian public service workplace laws and agreements.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical advice and coaching to managers on sensitive workplace matters.
• Manage complex cases and develop solutions that meet staff needs and comply with workplace laws.
• Write briefs and recommendations to assist managers in making fair decisions.
• Guide workplace change through consultation and negotiation with staff and their representatives.
• Improve workplace policies and processes by sharing specialist knowledge.

Job description

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC – Melbourne VIC

At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.

The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers

We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?

• Help managers resolve complex workplace issues with clear, practical advice.
• Guide fair decisions that support staff across Victoria's justice system.
• Put your specialist knowledge to work on challenging cases.
• Build your experience through coaching, negotiation and workplace change.
• 2 x fixed-term, full-time roles (one ending on 7th October 2027, the other ending on 30th June 2027), earning $116,413 - $140,849 per year, plus super.

About us

Employee and Workplace Relations is responsible for management of the Justice portfolio's industrial relations program, the management of departmental employee relations issues, the department's Human Resource Business Partnerships, employee investigations and also administers the internal review of actions process.

What you will do

As senior consultant – workplace relations, you will help managers resolve complex staff issues. You will advise on performance, conduct, conflict, staff health and workplace change.

You will:

• provide practical advice and coaching to managers on sensitive workplace matters
• manage complex cases and develop solutions that meet staff needs and follow workplace laws
• write clear briefs and recommendations to help managers make fair decisions
• guide workplace change through consultation and negotiation with staff and their representatives
• improve workplace policies and processes while sharing your specialist knowledge with colleagues.

About you

You will ideally have a tertiary qualification in industrial relations, human resources, employment law or a related field. You may also bring specialist experience in a similar workplace.

You should also have:

• specialist experience managing varied staff issues and advising managers, preferably in government
• sound knowledge of Victorian public service workplace laws and agreements
• clear communication and negotiation skills to guide difficult conversations and build trust
• practical problem-solving skills and the ability to stay calm, adapt and work well with others.

To learn even more about this role, please read the position description. If you have any further questions, feel free to email Loretta Williams at ***************@justice.vic.gov.au.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about our Aboriginal workforce strategy.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Child safe statement of commitment

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.