Kimberley Community Legal Services

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to experience aboriginal culture, explore the amazing Kimberley region, and to know your hard work extensively benefits our communities, all in a day's work!

We are offering a full-time, permanent role with the following attractive benefits:

• A welcoming culture where your achievements are celebrated.
• Competitive salary plus 11% super.
• Relocation assistance.
• Generous leave entitlements, above award, at 5 weeks annual leave per year plus paid Christmas closure leave.
• One day off in lieu per month.
• Professional training and growth opportunities.
• Cultural competence development opportunities.
• Salary packaging (salary sacrificing) – you may be eligible for up to $15,900 gross salary use which can decrease your taxable income and increase take-home pay, with possible FBT exemptions (please see here for more information: https://www.cbb.com.au/discover-salary-packaging/).
• Flexible working options considered.

Who are Kimberley Community Legal Services?

We are an independent, not-for-profit community legal service, one of Australia's leading and largest remote civil law practices that predominantly supports aboriginal communities. A multidisciplinary service, offering legal, social work, and financial counselling, we provide a free service to vulnerable community members experiencing disadvantage. We have offices in Kununurra and Broome, with regular outreach to urban and remote towns and communities in the beautiful Kimberley region.

OUR MISSION

To be a dynamic organisation that works with the people and communities of the Kimberley to make a positive difference.

OUR VISION

Dignity, human rights, and social justice for all people in the Kimberley.

WE VALUE

• Empathy and respect
• Dedication and commitment
• Integrity and honesty
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Improvement and innovation

THE ROLE

Hours: 8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday

Award: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010

Status: Full-time, permanent

Direct Reports: Nil

We are searching for an experienced Social Worker / Case Worker to join our multidisciplinary team in Kununurra, WA. This opportunity provides a wide range of interesting and rewarding projects to work on with the KCLS team, and offers professional training and development, including on cultural awareness.

You will be working closely with our Principal Social Worker and legal staff to deliver intensive, wrap-around support services to clients as part of an integrated and holistic service.

A typical day might entail:

• Assisting clients directly as part of a client-focused service, with a focus on mental health support for clients experiencing family violence, elder abuse and/or tenancy/public housing issues.
• Ensuring appropriate and effective service delivery for our client community, including cultural appropriateness, dignity, respect, and accessibility for all clients.
• Be a part of our reflective community of practice, working closely with the team to ensure improvements in our service to the community.
• Working with other staff to promote and co-deliver programs and initiatives that inform communities across the Kimberley region regarding FDV, elder abuse, and tenancy/public housing issues.
• Participate in identifying law reform and systemic reform priorities, and strategising on how to effectively address them.
• Participate in interagency networks and build/maintain relationships with referring agencies, key organisations, community leaders and local people relevant to the area.
• Helping to upskill staff on service delivery for clients who are experiencing mental health issues.
• Participating in organisational development activities and strategies.
• Undertaking appropriate professional development activities to maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills required to fulfil the responsibilities of the position.

We are searching for someone who can meet most of the following

• Relevant social work (or similar) qualifications, community service (or similar) diplomas and/or experience in client-centred social work, community work or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with clients experiencing at least one of our practice areas (family violence, elder abuse and tenancy/public housing)
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice and the effects of trauma on wellbeing.
• Highly developed interpersonal communication skills, including dealing with clients with empathy, and working effectively as part of a team.
• Sound organisational skills with the ability to manage competing demands, keep accurate files and records, meet deadlines.
• Understanding and commitment to principles of social justice and to working effectively with Indigenous people.
• High degree of comfort operating in the community outside an office environment, including working with clients in their homes and other external locations.
• Demonstrated personal resilience, adaptability, initiative, and ability to meet the challenges of remote service delivery.
• Current driver’s license valid for use in WA.
• Experience in a community legal practice setting and/or community-based organisation.

Successful applicants will need to provide references, a recent National Police Clearance, current Working with Children’s Check, and confirm their working rights in Australia.

KCLS values a diverse workforce with different life experiences, skills, and backgrounds including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, and people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need a hand with your application.