First Nations Senior Witness Assistance Service Officer, Regional Group
NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Prosecution Officer (Administrative) Level 5
$142,493. Package includes salary ($113,574-125,720 p.a.), employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
Temporary and Ongoing roles
About Us
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is the independent prosecuting authority of New South Wales (NSW) and is responsible for the prosecution of all serious offences committed against the laws of the State on behalf of the people of NSW. Our vision is to be a dynamic prosecution service recognised for its excellence and leadership.
About the Role
The Witness Assistance Service (WAS) is a specialist unit within the ODPP which works as part of the prosecution team to assist and support victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses through the criminal justice process to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient prosecution service.
The First Nations Senior Witness Assistance Officer will deliver specialist assistance to First Nations victims and witnesses of crime and/or their families who are involved in serious matters prosecuted by the ODPP. The role aims to minimise stress and potential re-traumatisation for victims and witnesses related to involvement in the criminal justice system; assist the prosecution by ensuring witnesses have the opportunity to give their evidence to the best of their ability; and assist the Office in meeting its obligations under the NSW Charter of Victims' Rights.
This role also works to enhance access to WAS services and engage with local First Nations communities and service providers
The Regional Group is a group with a regional focus. It encompasses circuit solicitors, locum solicitors, WAS Officers (a generalist WAS Officer and a First Nations WAS Officer), and a legal support team.
The Regional Group services four regional circuits in Bathurst, Orange, Moree and Broken Hill and the Local Courts that commit to them. These WAS Officers will have a practice and will have a base office but will travel to and from these regional locations with travel allowances provided.
The position holder will be entitled to Travel Allowance (TA) when they are not at their 'base office'. The base office location can be discussed with applicants and will depend on things such as access to travel/transport and office space. Our office locations are Sydney, Parramatta, Lismore, Campbelltown, Dubbo, Gosford, Newcastle, Penrith, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, and Newcastle.
This is a recruitment to fill a current vacancy and a talent pool will also be created to fill current and future ongoing and temporary vacancies across all offices.
About you (Essential Requirements)
* This is a child-related position. Applicants must provide a valid Working With Children Check number or an Application number. A current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance is required as a condition of employment. Please visit the Children Guardian's website for more information: Working with Children Check | Office of the Children's Guardian )
* Degree qualifications in Social Work; or if relevant qualifications are not held, the successful candidate will be required to enroll in and satisfactorily complete the ECAV Aboriginal Pathway Program Certificate IV in Aboriginal Family Wellbeing and Violence Prevention Work and the Advanced Diploma of Aboriginal Specialist Trauma Counselling upon commencement with WAS. If this is required of the candidate, the qualification will be funded by the ODPP.
* You are an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
* Competitive candidates will have experience in counselling or case management in trauma related areas such as child sexual assault, adult sexual assault, domestic violence and/or grief and loss.
* Positions in regional office locations may require the successful applicant to have a current driver's license and willingness to travel to regional areas.
How to Apply
Applicants should read the Role Description and address the key accountabilities and focus capabilities when preparing their resume and cover letter. Applicants must submit a cover letter [maximum two pages] and resume [maximum 3 pages] that highlights their claim for the role and demonstrates their suitability by addressing the following two targeted questions.
Q1. Describe your experience in providing case management and/or counselling services to people who have been affected by trauma in one or more areas of child sexual assault, adult sexual assault, domestic violence and/or grief and loss.
Q2. Provide two examples of a time when you utilised your cultural knowledge and expertise to inform your practice or provide consultation to ODPP staff.
Applicants must also include the contact details of two relevant Referees (who can speak from a supervisory perspective, with one being the current manager).
N.B. Applicants must give consent to a Criminal History Record check.
As part of the ODPP's targeted and identified recruitment initiative, First Nations applicants will be asked to provide a certificate of Aboriginality or a letter of support from an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation from your community or community of which you live. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to Lauren Davies – First Nations Project Officer – or
Applicants must apply via, reference number 1461.
Closing date: Tuesday 10 February :59PM)
Further Information
* Learn more about the ODPP here: About us | ODPP ) |Code of Conduct
* To learn more about First Nations People and the ODPP: First Nations People and the ODPP | ODPP ).
* Learn about our commitment to having a diverse and inclusive workplace: A diverse workplace | ODPP )
* Benefits of working with the ODPP: Benefits We Offer | ODPP )
As a First Nations staff member, you will also have access:
* to one-on-one cultural supervision provided by a First Nations counselling service.
* The choice to join five affinity groups: First Nations, Disability and Neurodiversity, People of Diverse Genders and Sexualities, Women, and Cultural and Linguistic Diversity. These groups foster inclusion by providing a network for social connection, support, advocacy, and a platform to share lived experiences and stories.
* First Nations networks and other development and support opportunities.
Enquiries:
Nicolle Lowe – First Nations Witness Assistance Service Team Manager –
Eliza Edwards – Witness Assistance Service Manager (Metropolitan and Specialist) –
For general enquiries or if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to support you during the recruitment process please contact recruit at If you experience technical difficulties when submitting your application, please email and someone will respond to you during business hours.
The ODPP values diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential. The Office welcomes applications from First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people identifying with diverse genders and sexualities, people with disability and other diversity groups. If you have individual requirements that need to be accommodated in order to participate in the selection process, please indicate this in your application.