Is this you?

• Looking for a meaningful role where you can impact the lives of people with multiple and complex needs?
• Have experience in casework and community support?
• Can contribute to a positive, values driven team culture in a brand-new program?
• Want to join a supportive and impactful NFP organisation?

At ACSO, we look for people who believe in second chances, who share our values and are passionate about supporting forensic clients to re integrate back into the community. If this sounds like you, read on!

About Us

The Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) is a vibrant, values driven NFP, focused on partnering with Government and the community to co-design services that create real social change. We are an organisation with a bold vision to create a safe and inclusive community where prison truly is the last resort. Our purpose is to strengthen the wellbeing of our communities by advocating for and delivering services which divert people away from the justice system.

The Australian Community Support Organisation recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias. ACSO is committed to the equitable treatment of its participants, employees and partners. We believe in humanity and celebrating the diverse voices of our community through leadership, practice and policy design, to honour and embrace diverse traditions, cultures and experiences of those we support and work alongside.

About the role

The Assertive Outreach Service (AOS) is a brand new program focused on delivering a targeted, time-limited-service response to a small number of clients with complex functional needs, who experience significant service gaps and present an unacceptable risk of harm to others and/or self. The AOS program will be piloted initially for up to 12 months and will deliver assertive outreach and case management services to clients referred by the Department of Families and Fairness (DFFH) across the South East Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.  

Within this new program, the Assertive Outreach Worker will support people to overcome barriers to accessing services and is provided flexibility in the place of residence or community, to build capacity for people with complex needs and improve their engagement with targeted interventions and services. Working under the leadership of the Complex Case Manager, the Assertive Outreach Worker will deliver practical support allowing clients to obtain their desired goals.  

What we're looking for

• Demonstrated ability to work with high needs individuals, assessing and managing risk
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Competence in using PC-based office applications (i.e., Microsoft Office) and internet
• Experience developing support plans and goal attainment strategies
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution and mediation skills
• Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of the ACSO client group
• Ability to build positive relationships and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities
• Knowledge and competency in casework practices, including working with complex clients
• Demonstrated capacity to work flexibly, possess the ability to manage competing demands, and able to effectively set boundaries and limits where required.

What ACSO can offer you

• Full time and part time 12-month fixed term positions available. Richmond and Dandenong location!
• $81,654.04 - $85,500 base salary + 11% superannuation + NFP salary packaging options (more after tax $ in your pocket!)
• Paid parental leave (14 weeks accessible after six months of employment)
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%
• Phone, laptop, and provisions to help set you up
• Learning and development opportunities, including access to ACSO's leadership development program and a dedicated leadership coach
• Wellbeing initiatives such as free flu vaccines, wellbeing and professional development vouchers, Employee Assistance Program and Reward and Recognition Program. Our employees matter!
• Flexible working arrangements, including a hybrid of working from home if desired
• Dedicated inclusion and diversity initiatives to support employees from all backgrounds and dispositions, including specialised leave for cultural ceremonies or gender affirmation.

How to apply

If you think you'd be a great fit - we'd love to hear from you!

To apply and view the position description (PD), please visit our careers website and provide a copy of your resume, a brief covering letter and a document outlining responses to the selection criteria found in the PD. Please also specify whether you are interested in a full time or part time position, or either!

Please note ACSO is committed to maintaining a working environment that is safe and minimises risk to the health and wellbeing of all employees, clients, contractors, volunteers and representatives. ACSO's employees are required to be fully vaccinated (including third dose) against COVID-19. All ACSO preferred candidates are required to provide proof of their vaccination status, prior to offers of employment being made.

As ACSO is an NDIS provider, the successful candidate must hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check Clearance and Working With Children Check before they commence employment in this position.

To learn more about this position, please contact Tim Stevenson, Program Manager - Assertive Outreach Services, on 0499 306 226.

ACSO proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia's first peoples and pay respect to their rich culture, lores, customs and elders past and present. We strongly embrace the spirit of reconciliation and continue working towards ensuring an equal voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, particularly those who have been touched by the justice system.

ACSO recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias and aims to provide a safe working environment, one which seeks to protect those affected by domestic and family violence and holds those who may use domestic and family violence to account, whilst supporting positive behaviour change.

ACSO embraces diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from appropriately qualified and skilled people regardless of their background. All suitable applicants for this role will be considered regardless of age, ability, race, gender expression, sex, cultural background, spiritual beliefs or lived experience.