Careers at The Coroner’s Court

The Court Support Officer is responsible for providing quality customer service to all internal and external customers of the Coroner’s Court. The position provides an advisory service to all internal and external customers in relation to the practice and procedures of the Coroner’s Court. It also provides support services to the Coroner in and out of court.

The Role

Court Support Officers have the opportunity to perform different roles across the court enabling team members to become multi skilled and enjoy the challenge of learning new things and undertaking varied tasks. Some of the different roles include:

Registry Officers contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the court undertaking data entry, record keeping, document management and other administrative duties.

Judicial Support Officers undertake a critical function of the court, providing administrative support to the Coroner in and out of the courtroom. This will include assisting with the preparation of coronial briefs, and other administrative tasks.

The Coronial Counselling and Information Officer supports the Senior Coronial Counselling and Information Officer in the delivering of its services. The Coronial Counselling and Information Service undertakes non-judicial functions of the Coroner’s Court and provides advanced customer service to individuals affected by Coroner’s Court matters. Service delivery includes the provision of general support, information and updates about court processes, and referral to other services.

The Role

Includes but is not limited to:

• Provides advice to the Senior Coronial Counselling and Information Officer.
• Implements and ensures compliance of organisational policy, procedures and legislation as required by the Department and public sector.
• Provides effective customer focused service delivery for the Coronial Counselling and Information Service.
• Provides support, assistance and referral to individuals impacted by Coroner’s Court matters.
• Ensures effective communication strategies and systems are developed and delivered with relevant stakeholders.
• Liaises and consults with internal and external parties including Judiciary; departmental staff and where appropriate, external government and non-government agencies.
• Maintains appropriate record keeping consistent with departmental regulations and ensures databases and records are updated in a timely manner.
• Identifies and assesses issues relevant to culture and any other special needs for individuals involved in Coroner’s Court matters and develops strategies to address them.
• Provides ongoing support, training and coaching to ensure the team have the required skills and capabilities to deliver high quality outcomes.
• Undertakes special projects and any other duties as required, in accordance with strategic objectives, business plans, local workload priorities and performance management plans.

The Counsel Assisting primarily assists the coroners with the preparation, management and conduct of Inquest hearings. Counsel Assisting plays a key role in the maintenance of stakeholder relationships, both internal and external, and contributes to the development of policy and strategic management of the Coroner’s Office. A high degree of initiative, judgement, and originality in the performance of professional work is required.

The Role

Includes but is not limited to:

• Conducts and coordinates inquests in the Coroner’s Court throughout the State.
• Provides advice on the Coroners Act.
• Prepares briefs and attends to all matters necessary to the holding of inquests.
• Assists with investigations relating to the death of persons held in care.
• Assists with investigations relation to reportable deaths as directed by the coroners.
• Liaises with external solicitors/counsel as required.
• Liaises with families of deceased persons about inquest hearings.
• Identifies and obtains evidence from suitably qualified expert witnesses.

Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer (SALO) educate and provide Aboriginal court users with information and assistance as to the appropriate fines management application processes as required.  SALOs work collaboratively with other service providers and Aboriginal communities with the aim of addressing underlying issues and decreasing the over-representation of Aboriginal people within the court system. SALO’s undertake circuit court and travel to remote communities and support the judiciary by providing vital cultural advice and information as required. SALO’s attend Departmental Open Days across the State in support of the Aboriginal Justice Transformation Team to provide a “one stop shop’ service to remote communities.

The role

Includes but is not limited to:

• Provides information to Aboriginal court users about court protocols, processes and procedures in language that is easily understood.
• Assesses the capacity of Aboriginal people to pay fines and provides assistance with time to pay arrangements. For example, periodic payments, organising direct debits or extensions of time.
• Promotes an awareness of court services within Aboriginal communities by participating on an approved community outreach activity and attends any local Aboriginal Justice Plan (AJP) Open Days.
• Assists the judiciary on circuit and in court to perform court functions. Supports the higher courts as directed.
• Participates in the identification of initiatives to continuously improve the services provided to all court users, with a strong focus on Aboriginal court users, within the region.
• Other duties as required in accordance with strategic objectives, business plans, local workload priorities and performance management plans.

Special Requirements of the role

• Aboriginality is a genuine requirement for this position (section 50d of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984);
• Current and valid ‘C’ class drivers licence or equivalent;
• Occasional travel on small aircraft and overnight stays away from home may be required.