Description:
Dispute Resolution Officer (multiple)
- Salary: $97,955 - $111,142 (Plus Superannuation)
- Fixed term role: until 30 June 2026
- Usual hours of work: Full-time (part-time flexibility may be available)
- Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD (flexibility may be available)
The Role
Working within the award-winning Dispute Resolution Team at the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC), this unique role will help prevent and resolve disputes involving small businesses.
Key aspects of this role are assisting with the triaging of incoming dispute applications as well as autonomously managing a caseload with a range of different types of disputes, including negotiating the resolution of disputes prior to any formal mediation. The role also involves providing easy-to-understand information and assistance directly to customers and their representatives, which is designed to prevent disputes from arising and/or help them self-resolve disputes that do arise.
Key accountabilities:
- Develop sound knowledge of the legislation within the jurisdiction of the Victorian Small Business Commission and provide high-quality information and assistance to businesses and their advisers regarding the prevention and resolution of disputes.
- Review incoming dispute applications, assess their urgency and prioritise cases for escalation. Respond to client telephone and email enquiries. Face-to-face enquiries may be required from time to time including representing the VSBC at community events.
- Utilise current best practice alternative dispute resolution expertise to manage a range of disputes through to their conclusion. This includes directly negotiating with parties to resolve disputes prior to mediation with the VSBC striving to resolve at least 25% of disputes without the need for mediation.
- If mediation is required, undertake steps to enable the mediation, including providing guidance to the dispute parties about the mediation process; scheduling the mediation; preparing and distributing relevant documentation; collecting payment of mediation fees; and concluding steps to finalise the matter after mediation.
The Team
The position of Dispute Resolution Officer forms a part of the Victorian Small Business Commission within the Industry, Trade and Investment Group.
The Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) is an independent agency led by the Victorian Small Business Commissioner (Commissioner) that aims to ensure a fair and competitive environment in which small businesses can grow and thrive. The functions of the VSBC:
- providing an efficient and low-cost small business dispute resolution service;
- engaging with the small business community to promote VSBC services and encourage informed decision making;
- advocating on issues affecting small businesses and their operating environment; and
- monitoring the impact of market trends, legislation and government policies on small business.
There are five legislated areas where the VSBC assists small business with disputes - Small Business Commission Act 2017 , Retail Leases Act 2003 , Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005 , Farm Debt Mediation Act 2011 and Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 .
The VSBC and the Commissioner is supported by the Department to carry out these functions.
About You
The successful applicant will have excellent listening skills, empathy, outstanding communication skills, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Are you?
Empathetic and a good listener?
Have exceptional dispute resolution skills?
Seeking an opportunity to learn, grow and achieve?
Looking for a challenge, variety and flexibility?
Further Information
For a confidential discussion, please contact Elizabeta Galevska, Manager, Dispute Resolution,
on (03) 9623 1158 or Elizabeta.Galevska@vsbc.vic.gov.au.
The department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards .
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.
Please note: We are accredited as a Disability Confident Recruitment (DCR) organisation and committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line.
How to Apply
Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description.
Applications close at 23:59pm on 10 August 2025