Victim Support And Child Witness Officer/ Worker

This recruitment pool will run for a period of twelve (12) months and may be used to fill ongoing fixed term contracts and permanent opportunities across Regional WA. Locations may include Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Carnarvon, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, Mandurah, Northam, and South Hedland

Currently, there is one permanent position available for immediate filling, located at Kalgoorlie.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Victim Support and Child Witness Worker/Officer you will primarily be providing Support and assistance to Child Witnesses and adult victims of crime, providing information, counselling and support during their involvement with the police and court process and helping to prepare and support them to be witnesses in court.  Your role will also include assessment and report writing for court, and working collaboratively with court staff, police, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and other key stakeholders.  

This is a unique and varied role working regionally in a court environment with offices located in Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Carnarvon, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, Mandurah, Northam and South Hedland in the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.  You will be working either as a sole service provider or in some locations with one other colleague.  

You will be required to:

• Have strong assessment and case management skills, assessing and responding to calls, queries, and referrals to the service;
• Deliver court based services to assist victims of crime and Child Witnesses in their interactions with the criminal justice system;
• Provide trauma support, counselling, and information; and
• Possess the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with, Police, Courts, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other key stakeholders in the delivery of services.

Please refer to the JDF for further details about the role responsibilities. 

WORKING REGIONALLY

Working regionally is a great opportunity for individuals to develop themselves professionally where they can utilise initiative and a broad range of professional and personal skills including the ability to work autonomously and flexibly as well as building and nurturing community and stakeholder relationships.  Regional work gives opportunity to learning new skills and provides on the job experiences. 

In addition each of these regions from Esperance in the south to Kununurra in the North offers opportunities to discover stunning landscapes, rich cultures and welcoming and supportive communities. 

Change your lifestyle, grow your career and make a real impact in your chosen region. 

BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Flexible working arrangements
• 20 days annual leave per year
• Generous personal leave entitlements (Up to 15 days personal leave, per year)
• Cultural and ceremonial leave
• Learning and development opportunities
• Free access to a confidential employee assistance program for you and your family

Regional Benefits (dependent upon location)

• Subsidised GROH housing (may be available for some locations)
• District Allowance (for some locations)
• Additional five days leave (above the 26th parallel south)
• Check out the attached Applicant Information Pack to find out other benefits of working for Justice.

ABOUT JUSTICE

When you join the Department of Justice, you become part of a people-focused organisation, working hard to make our community a fairer and safer place to live. We offer many different employment opportunities in locations around Western Australia. You will have a chance to make a real difference to your local communities and to the lives of those you work with.

APPLICATION PROCESS

How to apply

Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of the position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.

For more information about the recruitment and selection process and other benefits, please refer to the Applicant Information Pack.

We require you to submit:

1. A current comprehensive CV including the contact details of two referees and;
2. A statement addressing the below essential Job-Related Requirements contained in the Job Description Form. Your statement should not exceed 1 page maximum per essential requirement.
   Please provide examples to support your claims.
3. If applying for the Victim Support and Child Witness Worker (L2SC) position, please also attach a copy of the qualifications which demonstrates you meet this essential requirement.

If applying for Victim Support and Child Witness Worker (L2SC) position:

• Highly developed ability and skills in undertaking assessments, developing client plans and case management.
• Highly developed ability to engage, assess need, and identify and develop strategies that prepare and support children and families.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and decision making skills.
• Extensive experience in and ability to demonstrate advanced counselling skills including the ability to apply a range of case work skills.

If applying for Victim Support and Child Witness Officer (L5) position:

• Significant experience in delivering services in a social/behavioural science environment.
• Well developed ability and skills in undertaking assessments, developing client plans, and case management.
• Well developed ability to engage, assess need, and identify and develop strategies that support children and families.
• Well developed conceptual, analytical and decision making skills.
• Experience in and ability to demonstrate counselling skills including the ability to apply a range of case work skills.

If applying for both positions, please complete and submit the application requirements for the Victim Support and Child Witness Worker (L2SC) position, and indicate you are applying for both positions in the application questions (which will be prompted after clicking the “Apply for Job” button.)

All remaining Job-Related Requirements will be assessed at a later stage in the recruitment process.

Pool Recruitment

This pool will be open for a period of 12 months from the day after the breach of standard claim period closes. Permanent, fixed term, full time and part time appointments may be offered as vacancies arise; however, an appointment is not guaranteed.

The Department of Justice uses recruitment pools to build a bank of talent for future opportunities. Applicants found suitable in this pool, may be considered for subsequent, similar vacancies at similar locations, with the Department of Justice for the duration of the pool.

Candidate Search

If required, we may choose to supplement the field of applications by conducting a Candidate Search.

EQUITY AND DIVERSITY

The Department of Justice is committed in building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal Australians, people with disability, youth, and other diversity groups. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.

Aboriginal job seekers may contact the Aboriginal Workforce Development Team on ***************@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 17***for culturally appropriate application advice.

Applicants with disability requiring adjustment or accessibility requirements at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘Further Information’ section or contact ***************@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 17***to for a confidential discussion.

ELIGIBILITY

If applying for the Victim Support and Child Witness Worker (Level 2 Specified Calling) position, you must possess a relevant qualification in Social Work with eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers or approved four year degree in Psychology with eligibility for registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.

In accordance with the National Child Safety Principles, people who work directly with children and young people, you must have a current Working with Children Check or be able to successfully apply for one to be eligible for appointment to this position.

FOR FURTHER JOB-RELATED INFORMATION

If you would like further information regarding the position and/or vacancy please contact Deborah Miller on (08) 9425 2*** for a confidential discussion.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Applicants are requested to apply online. To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this advertisement.

Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.

If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone RAMS Helpdesk on 1300 733 056 for assistance.

To keep you up to date on what is happening in Department of Justice and job opportunities you can go directly to the departments website or follow us on social media.