Paralegal in Preston

About VALS

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and the state's only specialist legal and support service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Established in 1973, VALS provides culturally safe legal advice and representation across criminal, family, civil, and human rights law, youth justice, and specialist litigation.

About the Role

The Paralegal - Criminal Law is responsible for being the point of first contact and triage for people seeking access to the legal team's legal services. To ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria who require legal assistance are given the best opportunity to access that assistance, whether through VALS or other external organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct initial intake for people seeking legal assistance, primarily over the phone but also from time to time in person at the VALS Preston office.
• Taking thorough and concise intake notes for legal enquiries, as well as recording mandatory client data for reporting purposes.
• Manage large daily volumes of client data and intake material within VALS' client database, to ensure follow up tasks related to intake and processing are being effectively managed.
• Manage and collaborate with volunteers, by allocating tasks and work throughout the day that will best enable them to support the work of the paralegal.
• Make timely, appropriate and effective referrals for individuals the VALS criminal team is unable to assist, including to external organisations as well as within VALS, for both legal and non-legal matters.
• Actively participate in team meetings.
• Participate in community legal education projects, law reform and other VALS projects as required.
• Contribute to the collaborative relationship between Victoria Legal Aid, other community organisations and stakeholders to support warm referrals to other legal professionals where VALS cannot assist the client.
• As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee's skills, competence and training.

About You

• Sound interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to interact and communicate effectively with persons seeking legal assistance.
• A commitment to and understanding of the legal issues faced by members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in Victoria.
• The ability to quickly attend to tasks in an efficient and precise manner, with attention to detail, and a demonstrated capacity to balance multiple responsibilities in a high-pressure environment.
• Basic knowledge of the law and court procedures with a focus on the areas of law the legal practice focuses on.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate and liaise in a professional manner with VALS external stakeholder organisations and their representatives, including pro bono law firms, other CLCs, Court and Tribunal staff etc.
• The ability to work collaboratively with others and to foster a co-operative and supportive team environment.
• Strong skills in the use of MS Office 365 Software (particularly MS Word, Excel, Email) relevant to a legal practice, and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of VALS' client database.

Required Qualifications

• Enrolled in or completed a Bachelor of Laws or similar practical training qualification or be otherwise eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria.
• A current Employee Working with Children Check card.
• A valid Victorian Driver's license.
• A National Criminal History Check.
• Proof of work rights in Australia, such as an Australian passport, birth certificate, or valid visa documentation.

What We Offer

• 17.5% Leave Loading.
• 5 additional days of annual leave on top of the standard 20 days.
• Generous salary packaging up to $15,900 via Maxxia.
• Opportunity to work alongside a passionate, culturally committed team.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive, inclusive, and culturally safe workplace environment.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application to [emailprotected] using the subject line: 'Application for Paralegal - Criminal Law at VALS'. VALS actively encourages and supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. This position provides a culturally safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where your knowledge and lived experience are highly valued.

Please note: We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No fees will be paid to agencies submitting candidates without a valid written agreement.