Looking for a role that’s dynamic, meaningful, and at the heart of the legal system? Discover the opportunities waiting for you at the District Court of Western Australia.
This is a temporary employment register. We are seeking to establish a pool of suitable applicants for contract opportunities in usher, associate, court appointed officer, and case management officer positions at the District Court.
Your details will stay on our temporary register for four (4) months, after which time, you will need to reapply.
About the District Court
The District Court is the intermediate trial court in Western Australia. The District Court deals with serious criminal offences including serious assaults, sexual assaults, serious fraud and commercial theft, burglary and drug offences. The District Court also determines civil claims up to $750,000 and has unlimited jurisdiction in claims for damages for personal injury. Working at the Court is an opportunity to contribute to the administration of justice in Western Australia. You will be required to work as a member of a team, maintain confidentiality and be able to manage a number of tasks at any given time.
About the roles
Case Management Officer (Level 2: $76,912 - $82,463)
Case management officer roles are entry level positions in the Court’s administration team. Based in the Perth CBD, Case Management Officers play a vital role in managing civil, criminal, and miscellaneous matters, providing high-quality customer service and procedural advice to a wide range of stakeholders including litigants, legal professionals, and other court staff.
You’ll be trained across a broad range of tasks and may rotate between teams to support operational needs and your professional development. Your responsibilities will include reviewing, data entry and processing of court documents, managing case files using the Court’s electronic case management systems, assisting with hearings, and responding to enquiries. You’ll work closely with colleagues and supervisors to ensure compliance with legislation and policy, while contributing to a supportive and progressive team culture. Whether assisting self-represented litigants, completing data entry or supporting legal professionals, your work will have a direct impact on people’s experiences with the justice system.
A typical day as a Case Management Officer involves attending to customer queries (both in-person and over the telephone), data entry, drafting official documentation to and speaking with the legal profession, judges and litigants, as well as ensuring documents presented for filing with the Court meet legislative requirements.
If you’re a strong communicator with high computer literacy, a keen eye for detail, and a willingness to learn how to interpret legislation and policy, we encourage you to apply. This register offers flexible opportunities to gain valuable experience in a fast-paced and meaningful environment. Applicants must have the ability to learn to interpret, and apply legislation, policies, and procedures.
Court Appointed Officer (Level 2: $76,912 - $82,463)
The Court Appointed Officer is responsible for providing direction and assistance to children and other vulnerable witnesses and providing administrative support to the judges and registrars of the court. In addition, the position undertakes the operation of closed circuit television facilities (CCTV) and video conferencing equipment for witnesses giving evidence in remote rooms.
As a Court Appointed Officer you will:
- Provide children and other vulnerable witnesses with pre-court awareness concerning the function of the closed circuit television (CCTV) and of relevant court processes and functions.
- Provide administrative support to the judges and registrars of the court in accordance with established, legislation, policies and procedures
- Undertake the operation of equipment in remote rooms including the AV system, document camera and initiation of video links with other locations where applicable.
- Assist and support Child Witness Service and Victim Support Service to ensure that children and other vulnerable witnesses’ needs are met.
Court Appointed Officers are employed casually and paid on an hourly basis. There are specific provisions relating to casual employment including payment of a 25% salary loading instead of annual leave, personal leave, public holidays, and overtime penalties. Court Appointed Officers are rostered on a as needed basis and hours each week will vary.
Usher or Associate to a Judge
Ushers and Associates are employed as personal staff to the judges of the District Court. Personal staff work directly with a judge to provide operational, administrative and technical support. Tasks include preparing files, liaising with parties to legal proceedings, ensuring proceedings run as smoothly as possible and performing important statutory functions.
Personal staff have the opportunity to work closely under the direct supervision of the judge. Applicants must be prepared to flexible hours according to the needs of the judge and the Court, and from time-to-time to travel to regional circuit locations with the judge.
Note, some of the aspects of the associate and usher roles role vary according to the individual judge’s preference and may, from time-to-time, include attending to personal administrative tasks and errands where the judge is otherwise engaged in or required to be available for court proceedings.
Usher to Judge (Level 1: $68,798 - $74, 951)
Ushers are considered personal assistants to the judge and carry out essential duties in both the courtroom and judge’s chambers, including:
- Maintaining decorum, organisation and efficient running of proceedings.
- Operating technical audio-visual equipment in the courtroom.
- Preparing and organising files or other materials and documents for the judge.
- Contacting parties on behalf of the judge.
- Other duties as required. Some judges may wish to employ an usher to undertake legal research and/or writing, draft summaries, or provide other general administrative support.Other judges do not require their usher to perform legal work.
Associate to Judge (Level 3: $86,438 – $92,795)
Associates provide clerical support to the judge and perform important statutory functions including:
- Performing the statutory duties of the Clerk of Arraigns under the Criminal Procedure Act 2004 (WA) and the Bail Act 1982 (WA). These duties include (but are not limited to) assisting with the jury empanelment process, reading the charges to the accused in the courtroom, assessing applications for surety, witnessing accused person’s bail undertakings.
- Giving effect to the orders of the judge, including recording orders in the Court’s electronic case management system.
- Preparing and organising files or other materials and documents for the judge.
- Contacting with parties on behalf of the judge.
- Other duties as required. Some judges may wish to employ an associate to undertake legal research and/or writing, draft summaries, or provide other general administrative support. Other judges do not require their associate to perform legal work.
Eligibility
When considering whether employment at the District Court is right for you, it is important to consider the jurisdiction of the Court. The District Court deals with serious criminal offences including, robbery, criminal damage, serious fraud and commercial theft, burglary, and drug offences. The Court also deals with serious assaults and sexual assaults, including those against children. In the course of their duties, staff will encounter materials (including but not limited to photographs, videos, written statements, and oral evidence) associated with these charges. This material may be confronting and/or distressing. The Court is committed to reducing exposure to these materials for staff wherever possible and the Department of Justice offers services and resources to support staff.
All employees are required to undergo a National Criminal History check. For appointment to the position, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia as defined by the Commonwealth Immigration Act (if not currently held, must be acquired prior to commencement at applicant’s expense).
What is a Temporary Employment Register?
The Temporary Employment Register is an online portal that allows you to register your interest for short term full time opportunities.
This register is actively monitored by Hiring Managers to match applicants to available opportunities as they arise.
The benefit of applying through the temporary employment register is that you can gain valuable on the job experience which may lead to a long-term contract or permanency once you apply for a formal recruitment process as opportunities become available.
Benefits and opportunities
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Career pathway opportunities.
- Learning and development opportunity programs.
- Health and wellbeing programs including Fitness passport providing a wide range of gym, pool, and fitness centre discounts available for employees and their families.
- Learning and development opportunities for law students or recent graduates.
- Four weeks annual leave, time in lieu, and the possibility of work-related travel to regional locations.
- Check out the attached Applicant Information Pack to find out other benefits of working for Justice.
Application process
How to apply
Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of the position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.
We require you to submit:
- Provide a comprehensive Resume / Curriculum Vitae, that clearly outlines your transferable skills, experience and highlights your key achievements.
- Contact details of two work related referees.
You will be asked to select the position(s) you are interested in as part of the online application process.
After lodging your application, you may be asked to attend an informal interview if a suitable vacancy arises. Your details will stay on our temporary register for four (4) months, after which time, you will need to reapply.
Please be aware that there is no guarantee that an offer of employment will be made whilst your application remains on the register.
If you are interested in permanent of long-term contract positions, you will need to apply separately for one of our Customer Service Officer pools which are advertised multiple times per year on Jobs WA.
For further job-related information
If you would like further information regarding the vacancy please contact Jordan Pearce, Manager Court Services via email at jordan.pearce@justice.wa.gov.au.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Justice is committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, youth, people of diverse sexualities and genders, women, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and other diversity groups.
Aboriginal job seekers may contact the Aboriginal Workforce Development Team on aboriginalworkforcedevelopment@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for culturally appropriate application advice.
Applicants with disability requiring adjustments or accessibility support at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘Further Information’ section or contact the Diversity and Inclusion team on WorkforceDiversity@justice.wa.gov.au or (08) 9264 1700 for a confidential discussion.
Submitting your application
Applicants are requested to apply online. To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this advertisement.
Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.
If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone RAMS Helpdesk ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com on 1300 733 056 for assistance.
To keep you up to date on what is happening in Department of Justice and job opportunities you can go directly to the departments website or follow us on social media.
