Law Graduate - Victoria Police

Graduate - Legal Support Officer Position - Victoria Police

Victoria Police is excited to advertise a Legal Support Officer Graduate position as part of the Victorian Government Graduate Program. The graduate program is designed to attract and support the career development of graduates looking for meaningful work in the Victorian Public Service.

The 12-month program commences early February 2025, and includes 3 rotations across different areas of the Courts & Prosecution Services Division, Legal Services Department within Victoria Police. Rotation locations throughout the 12 months will be determined in consultation between management and the graduate. At the successful completion of the program, graduates will have a guaranteed ongoing Police Lawyer position at the VPS3 level.

About the role:

Legal Services Department (LSD) is responsible for providing comprehensive legal expertise in support of Victoria Police's operational and business activities, incorporating the model litigant principles. LSD has locations across Victoria and the department contains a number of specialist areas, with dedicated teams, that support a variety of legal functions.

The successful graduate will complete their three rotations within Courts & Prosecution Services Division (C&PSD) (within Victoria Police only). Led by Deputy General Counsel and Director, C&PSD is comprised of more than 500 employees including police prosecutors, police lawyers (including specialist advocates) and administration support staff.

C&PSD consists of the following branches:

Prosecutions Branch which is an agile and exciting area of LSD that provides state-wide summary prosecutions in the Magistrates' and Children's courts, including specialist jurisdictions such as the Drug and Koori courts. Their mission is to provide an independent and professional prosecutions service to the community of Victoria by supporting judicial proceedings on behalf of Victoria Police.

Prosecutions Support Branch which provides state-wide prosecution support services, including frontline support, training and advice.

Specialist Prosecutions Branch which comprises experienced legal practitioners and police officers in the following areas: youth law, sexual offences prosecutions, specialist advocacy, family violence and therapeutic courts. In addition to appearing in courts as advocates, they also offer support to the Division's prosecutors, provide specialist advisory services and contribute to Victoria Police submissions on law reform initiatives.

The successful candidate for this position will be required to assist with a range of duties including:

• Provide general paralegal assistance to Police Prosecutors and Police Lawyers.
• Assist in court preparation, including general document management.
• Perform general administrative duties.
• Draft correspondence and court documents.
• Support the customer service needs of Victoria Police and ensure its strategies are adhered to.
• Undertake legal research and analysis on a range of issues, including existing and emerging areas of law.
• Perform other duties and involvement in projects as directed.

As a graduate, you will have the following opportunities:

• Have diverse exposure in various legal functions at Victoria Police.
• Get access to learning and development opportunities.
• Learn and grow with mentors and peer networks.

Other key information:

• We are looking for graduates who will meet the following mandatory tertiary qualifications that ensure eligibility for a promotion upon completion of the graduate program, as a Police Lawyer:

-       Bachelor of Law or equivalent.

-       Admission to practice as an Australian Lawyer or eligibility for admission at the completion of the first year of the Graduate Program.

-       Possess or be eligible to obtain a current Practising Certificate to practice as an Australian Legal Practitioner at the completion of the first year of the Graduate Program.

• Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which includes fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• At the successful completion of the program, graduates will have a guaranteed ongoing position at Victoria Police as a Police Lawyer at the VPS3 level.
• This position will not rotate through other Victorian Government department as stipulated on the Victorian Government website, but you will still be part of the entire graduate cohort.

How to Apply and important information:

If you are interested in applying for the Legal Support Officer graduate position at Victoria Police, please follow the below application process.

• You must apply through the Victorian Government website link below, not the apply button found on this advertisement.
• This Legal Graduate position will be attached to the generalist stream, round 1 recruitment only.
• Applications close Sunday 7 April 2024.
• Read all criteria on the below website, ensuring you read the ‘how the program works' section, specifically the ‘who can apply' section as this stipulates your eligibility.
• If you progress past the initial application process, you will be requested on 15-17 May to preference your department, which you will selection Victoria Police as number 1.
• Read the How the application process works on the below link and if you meet eligibility criteria, click on the ‘Apply now' button found on the top of the page, on the following link:

Victorian Government graduate program | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au) - CLICK ON THIS LINK ONLY TO APPLY

About Us:

Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees consisting of police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Each employee plays a vital role in providing the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response and public safety capability the organisation delivers to its community. As a Victoria Police employee, you have a dedication and commitment to community safety. 

Having a workforce that reflects the community we serve is important to Victoria Police. We want to attract and retain people of all genders, ages, religions, disability, sexual orientation, family and caring responsibilities, and cultures including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. If you are interested in a position, we encourage you to apply as we celebrate the benefit that diversity brings to our employees, our services, and our community.

Find out what it is like working as a Victorian Public Servant for Victoria Police: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/vps