First Nations Senior Witness Assistance Service Officer (Intake)

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions • Meriden, CT

2d • A$113,574 - A$125,720 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Witness Assistance Service (WAS) is a specialist unit within the ODPP which works as part of the prosecution team to assist and support victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses through the criminal justice process to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient prosecution service. The First Nations Senior Witness Assistance Officer (Intake) will deliver specialist assistance to First Nations victims and witnesses of crime and/or their families who are involved in serious matters prosecuted by the ODPP. The role aims to minimise stress and potential re-traumatisation for victims and witnesses related to involvement in the criminal justice system; assist the prosecution by ensuring witnesses have the opportunity to give their evidence to the best of their ability; and assist the Office in meeting its obligations under the NSW Charter of Victims’ Rights. This role also works to enhance access to WAS services and engage with local First Nations communities and service providers. The First Nations Senior Witness Assistance Officer (Intake) will work within the WAS Intake team and the First Nations WAS team. Duties include the making of introductory calls, information giving and providing written initial assessments of victims of crime who are eligible for support by the Witness Assistance Service across NSW. They will provide a direct service including intake and assessment for vulnerable victims and witnesses of crime and/or their families who are involved in serious matters prosecuted by the ODPP. The Intake team is located in our Sydney CBD Office though the position can be carried out remotely by the suitable candidate from another of the ODPP offices. Our office locations are Sydney, Parramatta, Lismore, Campbelltown, Dubbo, Gosford, Penrith, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, and Newcastle. This is a recruitment to fill a current vacancy and a talent pool will also be created to fill current and future ongoing and temporary vacancies across all offices.

Requirements

• Applicants must provide a valid Working With Children Check number or an Application number.
• A current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance is required as a condition of employment.
• Degree qualifications in Social Work; or if relevant qualifications are not held, the successful candidate will be required to enroll in and satisfactorily complete the ECAV Aboriginal Pathway Program Certificate IV in Aboriginal Family Wellbeing and Violence Prevention Work and the Advanced Diploma of Aboriginal Specialist Trauma Counselling upon commencement with WAS.
• You are an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Applicants must give consent to a Criminal History Record check.
• As part of the ODPP’s targeted and identified recruitment initiative, First Nations applicants will be asked to provide a certificate of Aboriginality or a letter of support from an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation from your community or community of which you live.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in counselling or case management in trauma related areas such as child sexual assault, adult sexual assault, domestic violence and/or grief and loss.
• Positions in regional office locations may require the successful applicant to have a current driver's license and willingness to travel to regional areas.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist assistance to First Nations victims and witnesses of crime and/or their families.
• Minimise stress and potential re-traumatisation for victims and witnesses.
• Assist the prosecution by ensuring witnesses can give their evidence to the best of their ability.
• Assist the Office in meeting its obligations under the NSW Charter of Victims’ Rights.
• Enhance access to WAS services and engage with local First Nations communities and service providers.
• Make introductory calls, provide information, and give written initial assessments of victims of crime.
• Provide direct service including intake and assessment for vulnerable victims and witnesses of crime and/or their families.

Benefits

• Salary ($113,574-125,720 p.a.)
• Employer's contribution to superannuation
• Annual leave loading
• One-on-one cultural supervision provided by a First Nations counselling service.
• Choice to join five affinity groups: First Nations, Disability and Neurodiversity, People of Diverse Genders and Sexualities, Women, and Cultural and Linguistic Diversity.
• First Nations networks and other development and support opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree