• Position: Full time, Fixed term
• Location: Dandenong
• Salary: $97,377.80 - $101,787.92 plus Super & Benefits

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation’s visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

The role will work alongside the partner agencies in providing holistic support to Aboriginal residents of the two houses situated in Dandenong, and also to provide cultural support to staff at the Anglicare Dandenong office and in the KEYS program, when required, and agreed to by VACCA.

The role will engage with Aboriginal Children and young people who are referred into the KEYS program in Southern and building positive relationships with them, ensuring risk assessments and interventions are culturally appropriate.  The KEYS Cultural Support Worker will lead support for Aboriginal children, young persons in the KEYS program, in the area of connection to culture and community and developing life skills

The KEYS Cultural Support Worker role sits within the VACCA Out of Home Care (OOHC) team based in Dandenong and will work with OOHC team members on a day-to-day basis, as well as at Anglicare, with visits to the residential units and other outreach as required by the role.

About You

• Certificate, Diploma or Degree qualification in Youth Case Management and/or Social Worker
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
• Demonstrated awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures, and commitment to continually build knowledge of such, along with a high level of awareness of the key issues which impact upon Aboriginal communities
• Demonstrated sound understanding and experience in working with Aboriginal children and young people, and developing effective approaches to engage with them
• Experience in, and working knowledge of, the (Aboriginal) child, youth and family sector
• Requirements: Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster dose, as applicable), a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence.

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities 
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5%  loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel 
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs 
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

Please note: This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume.

We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying.

Please click here to download the position description for this role. KEYS Aboriginal Cultural Support Worker - Southern.

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy