Senior Police Lawyer

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to progress your career and obtain experience working as a Senior Police Lawyer in the Courts and Prosecution Services Division (CPSD) of the Victoria Police Legal Services Department (LSD). Our vision is to be a centre of prosecutorial and legal excellence, with people who are recognised as being fair, just and valued partners in the Victorian justice system.

Victoria Police's LSD provides legal services and advice to support policing, courts, and the Victorian community. The LSD is led by an Executive Director (who is also the organisation's General Counsel) and employs over 800 staff spread across four divisions – the Office of the Executive Director; the Specialist Legal and Litigation Division; the CPSD; and the Legal Business Operations Division.

The CPSD is currently enhancing its advocacy response to meet the expansion of court networks and specialist jurisdictions across Victoria. We are therefore seeking enthusiastic, skilled, and dedicated Senior Police Lawyers to meet this demand. Alongside sworn police prosecutors, Senior Police Lawyers appear within both the Magistrates' and Children's Court jurisdictions. Their duties include representing Victoria Police as an advocate within the therapeutic, family violence, summary crime and youth crime areas of practice.

The role is advocacy focused and anticipates you will have prior experience. However, the successful applicant will also be provided opportunities for training and professional development through courses and on the job training.

This position is located within South-West Prosecutions Group with the role primarily based at the South West Grampians Prosecutions Unit. Although based out of the Ballarat Prosecutions Unit, duties will be as required within the relevant work group service delivery area.

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate an ability to appear as a court advocate and manage competing priorities effectively, with a sound understanding of the Victorian criminal justice system.

Victoria Police is a contemporary, agile workplace and supports flexible working arrangements.

Your duties will include:

• The day-to-day management and support of the VPS staff within the South-West Grampians Prosecutions Unit and designated work area.
• Preparation and appearance work in both the Magistrates' and Children's Court jurisdictions within the therapeutic, family violence, summary crime and youth crime areas of practice.
• Development and general oversight of junior lawyers and other staff including the provision of support and mentoring.
• Appearing as an advocate, caseload management and providing legal advice to a range of clients.