Address- $172,164.00 per annum + superannuation
- Full time, ongoing opportunity
- Melbourne CBD based role (hybrid work from home – 3 days in office)
About the role
WorkSafe Victoria is expanding its Workers Compensation Independent Review Service (WCIRS), and looking for a Lead Counsel to manage a newly created team.
The Workers Compensation Independent Review Service provides a non-statutory review framework for decisions made by claims agents under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 and Accident Compensation Act 1985 on behalf of WorkSafe.
WCIRS reviews disputed workers’ compensation decisions in a manner that ensures fair, reasonable and sustainable outcomes that assist WorkSafe to support workers through their recovery and provide effective occupational rehabilitation and early return to work through suitable employment opportunities.
Key accountabilities
- Lead a team that investigates and determines applications for review of disputed WorkSafe agent and other WorkSafe decisions in a manner that supports fair, reasonable and timely decision-making practices.
- Responsible for staff management including training, performance management, task allocation and recruitment.
- Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal stakeholders and provide support and learning opportunities relating to or arising out of a non-statutory review.
- In a continuous improvement dynamic –
- provide guidance to WorkSafe staff and agents on matters relating to the review process, including trends, issues or feedback identified during reviews that support fair, reasonable, consistent and sustainable decision-making objective; and
- continuously review and revise relevant processes and policies.
- Review, supervise and train Review Officers in the writing of clear and logical review findings.
- Communicate outcomes and reasons for reviews to workers, agents and relevant WorkSafe staff.
About you
You have demonstrated experience leading new developments in programs and/or policies within a complex and dynamic legislative and stakeholder environment. You have the ability to lead research into new and emerging areas where knowledge may be limited or where other sources of advice are not readily available.
Additionally, you will possess the following:
- Demonstrated experience in leading a professional team or undertaking project work as a technical expert, or as a legal advocate or policy specialist in the Victorian workers’ compensation framework.
- Highly developed and demonstrated knowledge of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (Vic) 2013 and the Victorian workers’ compensation statutory framework.
- Highly developed alternative dispute resolution, conflict resolution and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to provide solutions to meet functional objectives and improve work practices.
- Demonstrated capacity to deal with a wide range of stakeholders effectively, empathetically and tactfully in the review context, including workers, employers, decision-makers, the legal profession and other external stakeholder representatives.
- Demonstrated ability to assess competing and complex evidence and to reach logical and sustainable conclusions based on relevant material.
- Demonstrated ability to write sound logical and sustainable decisions capable of withstanding internal and external review, including scrutiny by Courts and Tribunals.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision in an environment of internal and stakeholder pressure, and strict statutory deadlines.
- A high level of personal integrity.
Qualifications
- A tertiary undergraduate degree in law or equivalent.
- Post-legal admission experience of 10 years and experience in Victorian workers’ compensation litigation and/or administrative review.
- Law Institute of Victoria accreditation specialisation in Personal Injury (desired)
Working with Us
At WorkSafe, we aspire for every employee to feel connected, safe and valued in their team, for teams to feel valued in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be valued in the community.
We believe that a diverse workforce is the key to delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community and strongly encourage applications from all people, including First Nations people and people with disability, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, sexualities and genders.
What’s next?
Applications close 11:00pm Wednesday 8 May 2024. Click the link to apply, and join us in making a difference to Victorian lives.
Only people with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position. You may be required to undergo a National Police Check (and/or Medical Assessment) as part of the recruitment process.
Candidate screening may take place prior to the advertisement closing, so get your application in.
For further enquiries please contact Bianca Stojanovski via email ***************@worksafe.vic.gov.au
About us
WorkSafe's Strategy has our core purpose front of mind – reducing workplace harm and improving outcomes for injured workers. We don’t shy away from the importance of our purpose to the Victorian community, that’s why we have a stated ambition to be world leading.
We want Victoria to be the safest place to work in Australia and one of the safest in the world; and we aspire to be a world leader in return to work after a workplace injury.
WorkSafe are striving to build a diverse workforce that reflects the Victorian community we serve.
