Victim Engagement Officer

Department of Justice and Community Safety, Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Justice and Community Safety, Victoria (VRSR) is seeking a Victim Engagement Officer to support victims in Children’s Court matters across metropolitan Melbourne. The role involves co-location at Courts and flexibility to work across regions, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed, culturally safe care and accurate record-keeping.

Two full-time fixed-term positions are available until June 2028, offering a salary of $81,496–$98,955 annually plus super.

Qualifications

• You would ideally have a qualification in social work or a related field.
• At least two years of experience delivering services or supervising others.
• Travel requirements may be required for the role.

Responsibilities

• Provide sensitive support in person and by phone, recognising how trauma affects each victim.
• Offer culturally safe care that respects each person's background and needs.
• Help victims access support services and understand ways to take part in restorative justice.
• Build strong working relationships with court staff, police and youth justice services to help victims.
• Keep accurate records, follow relevant laws and share advice to improve victim support.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Victim support

Cultural safety

Communication skills

Education

Social work degree or related field

Tools

Digital tools

Job description

• Help victims of crime find support and understand their rights.
• Provide care that respects each person's needs and experience of trauma.
• Use your skills to help victims feel heard throughout the court process.
• Join a new team on a fixed term until June 2028.
• 2 x Fixed-term, full-time vacancies available, until June 2028 earning $81,496 – $98,955 per year, plus super.

• Help victims of crime find support and understand their rights.
• Provide care that respects each person's needs and experience of trauma.
• Use your skills to help victims feel heard throughout the court process.
• Join a new team on a fixed term until June 2028.
• 2 x Fixed-term, full-time vacancies available, until June 2028 earning $81,496 – $98,955 per year, plus super.

About Us

Victims, Redress and System Reform (VRSR) is part of the Community Safety, Victims and Racing group in the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS).

VRSR is responsible for the delivery and reform of services to victims of crime, placing victims at the centre of the justice system.

VRSR delivers the Victims of Crime Helpline, Victims Register, Victims Assistance Program (VAP), Restorative Justice for Victims of Crime, the Victorian Government’s participation in the National Redress Scheme, the Historical Forced Adoption Scheme and the restorative engagement of the redress scheme for Victoria Police employees.

What You Will Do

As victim engagement officer, you will support victims involved in Children’s Court matters.

You will join a team who provide services to all Children’s Courts across metropolitan Melbourne, including co-location at these Courts. You will be assigned to predominantly work in courts in a particular metropolitan region but will need to work flexibly across different areas and Melbourne CBD.

You Will

• provide sensitive support in person and by phone, recognising how trauma affects each victim
• offer culturally safe care that respects each person's background and needs
• help victims access support services and understand ways to take part in restorative justice
• build strong working relationships with court staff, police and youth justice services to help victims
• keep accurate records, follow relevant laws and share advice to improve victim support.

About You

You would ideally have a qualification in social work or a related field.

You would also bring at least two years of experience delivering services or supervising others.

Candidates should also indicate in their application that they are able to meet the travel requirements of the role and any preferred metropolitan region.

You Should Also Have

• knowledge of youth justice, the Children’s Court, victim support services and relevant laws
• experience supporting victims of crime, with an understanding of trauma and work with young people who have caused harm
• skills in building trusting relationships, listening to different views and handling difficult conversations with care
• clear communication, sound judgement and confidence using digital tools to solve problems and support your team.

To learn even more about this role, please read the position description. If you have any further questions, feel free to email Liz MacLean at [e-mail].

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

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.