Worker's Consultant

• Advise workers of the need, viability and/or process to lodge an application for Conciliation with the Accident Compensation Conciliation Service concerning their dispute with the agent, self-insurer and/or employer;
• Consult and liaise with workers legal representative (if applicable) during the dispute resolution process to enable all facts and options to be explored and considered ensuring that the workers interests and rights are fully protected;
• Seek all relevant medical information from worker’s medical practitioner(s), under authority from workers, concentrating on the dispute at hand ensuring that workers supporting factual material is available for the Conciliation conference for proper consideration;
• For preparation of the Conciliation conference, evaluate, analyse and dissect all factual evidence obtained from the parties with the view of preparing a line of reasoning in support of the worker’s contention;
• In order for workers to have a full understanding and appreciation of their dispute, prior to the Conciliation conference meet with workers and consult them in relation to the following:
  • the aims of Conciliation and the impartiality of the Conciliation process,
  • possible outcomes from the factual material at hand,
  • identify areas where clarification may be required by other parties,
  • options to resolve dispute with the agents, self-insurer and employer and the consequences of those options,
  • Ramifications of not resolving the dispute (proceeding to the Courts).
• Liaise with Accident Compensation Conciliation Service, Agent or self-insurer to establish whether there is middle ground to negotiate on behalf of the worker a resolution of the dispute prior to the Conciliation conference;
• Attend conciliation conferences with workers and succinctly present to the Conciliation Officer, agent, self insurer and/or employer the workers argument in relation to the dispute expressing the salient points/issues from factual information tabled and highlighting the anomalies, inconsistencies and shortfalls that the agent, self insurer and/or employer may have in relation to their decision or lack of decision;
• Counsel workers during the conference on the continuing dispute resolution process enabling workers to have a complete understanding of what has transpired and facilitate negotiations on behalf of workers with the view of resolving their dispute before the Accident Compensation Conciliation Service;
• Travel where necessary to regional areas throughout Victoria including Warrnambool, Traralgon, Wangaratta, Bendigo, Shepparton, Geelong, Morwell, Ballarat and Mildura to attend Conciliation Conferences with workers;
• Refer workers to appropriate professional counselling service, e.g. Lifeline, financial counselling, community service. Centre link, etc.

The successful candidate will have:

• Position requires a high degree of judgment that could only have been honed over several years experience in a technical management or/and negotiating environment:
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, negotiation and presentation skills and are paramount
• Demonstrated experience in an advocacy/adversarial environment
• Considerable experience in dispute/conflict resolution
• Ability to deal with high level emotional and conflict driven situations
• Exceptional ability to streamline, analyse and scrutinize deficiencies in adverse decisions to workers
• Extensive technical knowledge of the Accident Compensation Act and its application, combined with associated case law
• Excellent organizational and preparation skills are imperative, given the autonomy of the position.