DFV Specialist Worker, South West Sydney WDVCAS

• Permanent, full time (35hpw)
• South West Sydney base
• Community Legal Centre incorporating domestic and family violence services
• Salary range: SCHCADS L5 $84,848 to $88,691
• Flexible work conditions, salary packaging, 5 weeks’ annual leave plus leave loading

We are seeking a Domestic and Family Violence worker to join our South West Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (SWSWDVCAS) team. You will be part of delivering a best practice, specialist, trauma-informed model of service delivery to women affected by domestic and family violence (DFV) and ensuring an integrated response to women assessed as at serious threat of harm.

The DFV Specialist Worker works closely with colleagues in the SWS WDVCAS team to provide an effective and streamlined service that assists women experiencing DFV with threat assessment and safety planning, case coordination, information and court advocacy. The successful applicant will have strong interpersonal and organisational skills, and knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic and family violence including AVO applications and criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration and victim’s compensation issues.

Applicants must have a commitment to empowering women and children affected by DFV, an understanding or willingness to learn the principles of a trauma-informed approach to service delivery, have demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and have demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients in crisis. Proficiency in a language other than English is desirable.

This position is open to female applicants only. SWSLC considers being a woman to be a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s. 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are strongly encouraged to apply.

The preferred applicant will be required to undergo a Working with Children Check and a National Police Records Check.

Details

Download Position Description

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of the dynamics, complexities and legal and social welfare consequences of domestic violence
• Demonstrated understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic violence including Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) applications and criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration and victim’s compensation issues
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with key stakeholders in the area.
• Demonstrated understanding of the particular needs of and challenges faced by clients from diverse communities, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and clients from  linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients in crisis and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support
• Ability to deliver services in accordance with policies, principles and other operational documents
• Sound organisational, administrative and management skills
• Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution; and
• Ability to work effectively with interpreter services and other support services for victims with specific needs
• Basic IT skills

Desirable Criteria

• Proficiency in a language other than English
• Experience using Mac

How to Apply

1. Read the Position Description and Essential and Desirable Criteria below
2. Your application should include a covering letter, a resume and an additional document addressing the Essential and Desirable criteria.

The covering letter needs to state:

• The position you are applying for;
• Your current contact details; and

Your resume should detail:

• your  employment  history  including  dates  and  a  brief statement of duties for previous roles; and
• your education history.

Your additional document should clearly explain:

• how your skills and experience meet each listed criteria;
• Applications that do not address ALL of the Essential Criteria will not be considered.

You should also ensure you are able to later provide contact  details  for  two  professional  referees  (at  least  one  current  or  previous  line manager).

3. Please send written applications to alison@swslc.org.au.

South West Sydney Legal Centre

South West Sydney Legal Centre (SWSLC) is a not for profit, community legal centre. We deliver legal services to facilitate access to justice for disadvantaged people in South West Sydney including specialised legal services for victim-survivors of DFV. We also provide information, court support, referral and casework to victim-survivors of DFV through government funded DFV services. Our DFV services cover LGAs in South West Sydney and Central Sydney.

SWSLC uses a multidisciplinary model bringing together lawyers, social workers, and community workers to provide trauma-informed, client-centred and culturally safe legal assistance and DFV support services to clients. Services are provided through phone support and face-to-face services in our offices, at courts and through outreach services and community engagement. SWSLC has offices in Liverpool, Bankstown, Smithfield and Sydney.