About the Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre

We are a client-centred organisation, supporting the community throughout Barwon, Wimmera, and the South West regions, offering a range of specialist support services to people impacted by sexual and family violence, encompassing 24 hour crisis care, specialist response services, early intervention programs, Victims Assistance Program, Community Legal Services, trauma recovery programs, professional training and primary prevention initiatives.

About The Role

The Solicitor will play a key leadership role in delivering high-quality legal services within the family violence and family law jurisdiction. Working closely with the Principal Solicitor to integrate the legal program into all areas of family violence support services, to improve access to justice for women and children experiencing family violence.The Solicitor will work independently on a range of legal matters including complex family law matters, mentoring junior legal staff, and participate in systemic change activities as instructed by the Principal Solicitor, such as advocacy, policy development and community legal education. The position reports to the Principal Solicitor.

Why work for The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre?

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre takes pride in being an employer of choice; we are passionate about the wellbeing of our team members and we celebrate diversity and inclusion in all we do. We have a high level of employee engagement and satisfaction and provide a number of complementary advantages to our staff, some of our benefits include:

- Generous above award Enterprise Agreement entitlements
- Flexible working arrangements
- Professional development opportunities
- 5 weeks annual leave and access to purchased leave for full and part time employees
- Paid parental leave
- Salary packaging
- Health and Wellbeing initiatives
- Flu vaccinations
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Social initiatives
- Positive workplace culture

The SAFV Centre acknowledges and respects the First Nations ownership of the land where we work.

About You

With Bachelor of Law and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (or equivalent) and 4 years relevant experience in family law and family violence. You will be a values driven person, motivated to make a difference and hold the client at the centre of everything you do.



You thrive working autonomously and also collaboratively within a dynamic, team environment.

If you share our vision for a community free from family violence and sexual assault and are motivated to make a difference, we would like to hear from you. We pride ourselves on being a great place to work. You care for our clients and we care for you, including by investing in your development and wellbeing. You will have access to leading specialists and training and development that supports you in your role and in your longer term career journey. We offer a variety of career pathway options, leading salary packaging benefits and flexible working arrangements that help you manage your work and your life.

The successful candidate will be required to maintain a current Working with Children's Check and National Police Check at their own expense.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Your application must address the following:

- Minimum Bachelor of Law and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (or equivalent)
- Current Australian Practising Certificate which entitles you to practice as a solicitor in Victoria
- Minimum 4 years relevant experience in family law and family violence

Essential Skills and Knowledge

- Demonstrated knowledge and experience of the relevant law and relevant court procedures with a focus on the family law and family violence jurisdiction
- Demonstrated experience in a client focused approach that facilitates empowerment and independence for women, and safety and security for women and their children.
- Demonstrated competence in legal advocacy before administrative decision makers and/or courts.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate and negotiate effectively with all stakeholders and clients.
- Experience mentoring or supervising legal staff, with a collaborative and supportive approach.
- Strong understanding of the legal, social, and cultural dynamics of family violence,



and commitment to trauma-informed, client-centred practice.
- Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member including working collaboratively with teams towards a trauma informed integrated legal practice.
- Excellent organisational skills with flexibility to prioritise a range of competing demands.
- Demonstrated experience working autonomously and with a high degree of initiative and integrity.
- Entitlement to practice in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court Register).

Referees

Applicants must provide the name and current contact details of 2-3 professional referees including the most recent or current supervisor.

Period of Appointment

This position is ongoing depending on funding.

Hours of work

- The position is Full Time negotiable.
- Location of the position is at the Warrnambool office hybrid arrangement may be negotiated.
- Hours will usually be worked during business hours of 9.00am to 5.06pm between Monday to Friday.
- Flexibility in working hours will be required from time to time as the need arises.

Salary and Conditions

Annual salary range is Specialist Family Violence Practitioner classification, Level 7 Pay Point 1-3, plus superannuation. Salary will be commensurate with experience and skills.

Industrial Instrument: The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre Enterprise Agreement 2023.

Salary Packaging: Provided via Maxxia. PBI status with other expenses available to package above this cap. The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre is a Public Benevolent Institution.

Superannuation: The employer will also make superannuation payments on your behalf in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.

Probationary Period – 6 months with a review conducted during this time.

How To Apply

All applications must address the key selection criteria outlined in the PD. For a confidential discussion, please contact us on 03 •••• •318.

We are currently accepting applications from direct applicants only, no recruitment agency applications accepted.

Please note if you are applying via seek go to The SAFV Centre career portal to access the position description at https://www.safvcentre.org.au/working-with-us/careers/

Please click here to view the position description

📌 Solicitor - Legal Program (Warrnambool)
🏢 The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre
📍 Warrnambool