Witness Assistance Officer (Aps Level 5 - Aps Level

APS Level 5 - APS Level 6

• APS Level 5 $73,784 - $79,743 - APS Level 6 $81,099 - $93,164
• Positions may be offered in one of the following offices, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane or Adelaide

The Witness Assistance Officer (WAO) performs an important role within the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP), supporting the aims of the Office in accordance with all relevant policy and legislation. The Witness Assistance Service (WAS) aims to minimise the stress and risk of potential re-traumatisation for victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses involved in matters prosecuted by the CDPP. Supporting victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses who may be required to give evidence; and helping to ensure that the Office meets its policy obligations towards victims of crime.

The WAO is primarily a high-volume casework role that requires strong casework skills and a trauma-informed approach to practice. The WAO provides prosecution-related information and support to victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses located around Australia and in some cases overseas. The WAO does not perform a counselling role, but does provide victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses with referrals and information to various support services, including counselling services.

The WAS operates within a prosecution setting and multi-disciplinary environment. The WAO must have the ability to establish and maintain professional, collaborative and productive working relationships with prosecutors, and other CDPP staff in addition to a range of external stakeholders including the police.

The WAO will utilise a range of legal and practice management systems and other digital technologies and be responsible for creating and maintaining electronic files and other electronic records.

The WAO will have strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to develop strong internal and external stakeholder relationships both remotely and in person.

As a team member, you will contribute to the achievement of the WAS team's objectives and assist in the learning and development of junior team members by actively coaching and mentoring staff as well modelling appropriate behaviours.

Some intra and interstate travel involving overnight stays may be required.