Use your advocacy and leadership to help keep Aboriginal children and young people out of the justice system—and strengthen a growing, culturally safe youth crime practice at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS).
* Salary: $116,000 - 119,000 + super + salary packaging
* Location: Preston, VIC
* Employment Type: Full time, 12-month fixed term
The opportunity
As Deputy Managing Lawyer (Youth Crime) in Balit Ngulu ("Strong Voice"), you will play a key leadership role supporting the Managing Lawyer and Principal Managing Lawyer to deliver outstanding, trauma-informed legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (up to 21). You will supervise and mentor lawyers, help drive consistent practice standards, and carry a reduced but strategic caseload that includes complex youth crime matters.
About VALS
Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation established in 1973, providing culturally safe legal services and wrap‑around supports across criminal, family, civil and human rights law, youth justice and specialist litigation. The organisation also offers programs including 24/7 Custody Notification Service, transitional housing and community legal education. VALS is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTISBQ communities, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Adjustments and reasonable accommodations are welcomed throughout recruitment and employment.
About Balit Ngulu
Balit Ngulu is VALS’ specialist youth program created to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people can access holistic, culturally safe and specialised legal assistance. The program operates across Melbourne and Greater Shepparton and includes legal services and wrap‑around support in partnership with an Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE) Worker.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide high-quality advice and representation in youth crime matters, including complex casework.
* Appear regularly in the Children’s Court, Magistrates’ Court and other relevant jurisdictions (including duty lawyer services).
* Provide day‑to‑day supervision, mentoring and coaching to lawyers (review of advice, pleadings and court strategy).
* Support practice quality, workload management, reflective practice and continuous improvement.
* Work collaboratively with the ACE Worker and other VALS programs to support wrap‑around outcomes.
* Build strong relationships with courts, ACCOs, youth services and key stakeholders.
* Contribute to community legal education, advocacy and law reform initiatives.
What You’ll Bring
* Strong criminal law and youth justice advocacy experience (Children’s Court, Magistrates’ Court, Koori Court and, where relevant, higher jurisdictions).
* Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and develop lawyers in a busy practice.
* Sound practice management and operational capability.
* A culturally safe, trauma‑informed approach and ability to work effectively with young people experiencing disadvantage.
* Experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities (or a strong commitment to building this capability).
* Collaborative mindset and commitment to a positive, inclusive workplace.
Mandatory Requirements
* Current, unrestricted Victorian Practising Certificate (advanced post‑admission experience required).
* Employee Working with Children Check.
* Victorian Driver Licence.
* National Criminal History Check.
* Evidence of Australian work rights.
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