“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety. It’s connection.” (Johann Hari)

• Location: Canterbury
• Full time 38 hours per week
• Contract to June 2026, with possibility of extension of funding
• $91,586 gross per annum + super + generous salary packaging
• Aboriginal Identified role

Are you a dedicated, passionate First Nations person with experience in providing culturally safe, trauma informed AOD counselling and support?

Want to make a difference assisting people exiting prison to address problematic drug and alcohol use?

CRC is excited to be recruiting an Aboriginal Identified AOD Transition Worker to join our award winning AOD Transition Program.

We’d love to hear from you!

• Play a key part in a program with proven results, and contribute to long-lasting change for our clients and the community
• Join a diverse and passionate team in a flexible and supportive organisation
• We want to hear from people from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of the criminal justice system and substance use.

The Opportunity

As an AOD Transition Worker, you’ll be at the heart of a high-impact team. You’ll use holistic, therapeutic social and emotional wellbeing counselling and support on an outreach basis for people with substance use issues who are leaving NSW Correctional Centres.

Using a throughcare model focusing on the complex transition from incarceration into housing in the community, your role includes:

• Project and client support: You’ll actively build positive relationships with government, community and other services to source relevant support. Receiving and assessing referrals, AOD counselling and support, and project administration will make up most of your day. You’ll approach tasks with empathy, keeping our clients’ goals front and centre.
  
• Helping clients address problematic drug and alcohol use: Using an outreach model pre-and post-release, you’ll play a vital role helping clients overcome barriers to accessing AOD services and provide a continuity of support for those who have participated in drug and alcohol programs while in custody. The goal? To improve the physical, psychological, social and emotional wellbeing of clients, and reducing recidivism.
  
• Data, administrative and assessment duties: Most of this job involves client-facing duties but data collection will be an important part of your role. You’ll conduct general administrative duties, Workplace Health and Safety monitoring, and updating and maintaining accurate case files.
  
• Cultural safety: You’ll work in culturally appropriate ways in recognition of the unique cultural needs and over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system.

Your usual work hours will be Monday to Friday, with occasional out-of-hours work, as required.

Why work for us?

• Support programs that aim to break entrenched cycles of disadvantage, homelessness and imprisonment
• Be part of a community-based agency that has been delivering effective services in our field for over 70 years
• Join a dedicated, energetic team with a culture of flexibility, trust, integrity and respect
• Access the support of Cultural Supervision for First Nations staff
• Enjoy additional Wellbeing Leave

CRC works with some of the state’s most stigmatised and marginalised people. We are dedicated to providing them with the help they need. Our work can sometimes be challenging but the rewards are significant.

To join us, you’ll need:

• To identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• Significant experience and/or relevant qualification(s) in drug and alcohol counselling and support
• Knowledge and experience of working with complex and compounding needs such as criminal justice system involvement, AOD, intellectual disability or cognitive impairment, and mental illness
• A current NSW Driver Licence
• A current NSW Working with Children Check and Criminal Record Check (please note, a criminal record is not a barrier to being considered for a role with CRC. However, this position requires a criminal record check as part of seeking access to prisons as an Authorised Visitor)
• Demonstrated cultural competency and knowledge of issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD communities

How to apply

CRC considers being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification as specified under section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

Do you have the skills, positivity and work ethic to match our amazing team? Please apply via the "Apply Now" button.

Interviews will be held mid-January 2025.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] using the subject line: AOD Transition Worker (Aboriginal Identified Position) enquiry via EthicalJobs.