Use your specialist employment expertise to lead the delivery and implementation of key projects which support Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) to be an employer of choice for First Peoples.
- Full time, ongoing position
- Salary range: $131,154 - $155,000 plus superannuation
- Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement
About the role
The First Peoples Employment Specialist leads the delivery and implementation of key projects which support Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) to be an employer of choice for First Peoples.
The role focuses on:
- Supporting the organisation to achieve its First Peoples recruitment goals by coordinating the implementation and review for inclusion in VLA's First Peoples Framework
- Developing and implementing a range of First Peoples pathway programs and professional development opportunities
- Providing authoritative advice on culturally safe people management practices and design and develop policies and processes that inform best practice culturally safe attraction, recruitment and retention outcomes.
- Establishing and maintaining networks across Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, government, schools and universities, and other key stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration
- Ensuring the availability of culturally appropriate and responsive supports and wellbeing offerings for First Peoples staff, including by strengthening operation and governance of VLA's First Peoples Staff Network.
- Providing full employment lifecycle support and guidance to VLA staff through the development of toolkits and guidelines to inform best practice, attraction, recruitment, retention, and workplace support for First Peoples.
This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.
This is a special measures role and only Australian First Peoples are eligible to apply, as per the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
- Demonstrated deep cultural knowledge of First Peoples communities in Victoria, including systemic, social, economic, health and housing barriers to justice and employment.
- Proven experience designing, implementing and evaluating organisation-wide initiatives (programs, frameworks, tools) to address barriers and advance First Peoples employment, progression and retention.
- Demonstrated experience providing culturally safe advice and support to First Peoples candidates, staff and senior leaders, including navigating complex and sensitive matters.
- Strong capability in leading projects and organisational change through planning, governance, risk management, stakeholder negotiation and issue resolution across teams.
- Highly developed written communication skills, with demonstrated experience producing clear, authoritative briefs, strategies, reports, business cases and recommendations across the organisation.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build trust-based relationships, exercise cultural authority, and communicate sensitively and persuasively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated understanding of the role of VLA within the broader justice system, and a strong commitment to VLA's vision, values, and to advancing self-determination, equity and culturally safe practice.
- Demonstrated interest in human resource management and/or studies in human resource management or business (desirable).
Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.
About VLA
We offer legal representati
on, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1400 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.
Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve.
Employee benefits
- A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
- Hybrid work from home & office model
- Generous leave benefits, including:
- Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
- Paid gender affirmation leave
- Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
- Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
- Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
- Discounted annual Myki public transport passes
- Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
- Free annual flu vaccinations
- Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.
How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter indicating how your skills and experience are aligned with the expectations of the role.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team.
For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Traci McCormick, Associate Director Policy Employment and Cultural Strategy on 03 9269 0397 or Sej Amin, Associate Director Service Innovation and Transformation on 03 9269 0576. For general queries please reach out to [email protected].
Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 26 October 2026.
Other relevant information
It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community. VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.