• Position : Full time, Fixed term (12 months) position available.
• Location : Frankston & Dandenong

THe Organisation

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia, employing more than 600 employees and delivering more than 70 programs across Victoria. VACCA is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal community. Our strength lies with our people. Our team is committed to the organisation's vision and values; advocates for our children and other vulnerable community members; and shows respect for, observance and compliance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, practice and ceremony. Our Aboriginality is what distinguishes us from mainstream services and what enables us to deliver the positive outcomes we achieve for our people.

Our Strength lies with our people, and all people are welcome.

About the role

The Local Justice Worker Program (LJWP) aims to improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal people in the Southern Metro catchment of VACCA.

The Local Justice Worker (LJW) role will work closely with other justice agencies to support Aboriginal people throughout their engagement with the criminal justice system, including Community Corrections Services (CCS), Sheriff’s Office, Victoria Police, Prisons, Koori Court and Courts Victoria & Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (RAJAC).

The LJW will undertake the following primary functions including:

• Working with CCS to support Aboriginal clients to complete their CCO & Parole Orders.
• Attend Corrections and facilitate Koori Consults on a regular ongoing basis.
• Working with Sheriffs to assist Aboriginal people to successfully resolve their fines and warrants.
• Assist participants with their Yawal Mugadjina Journey plan.
• Community education.

In addition to the primary functions of the program the LJW will also undertake secondary functions to support Aboriginal people to reduce their offending and likelihood of breaching CCOs. These functions will require a case management approach and can include assistance and referral to local agencies.

The Local Justice Worker Program (LJWP) will focus on Aboriginal clients including Aboriginal people (men and women) over the age of 18 years; Aboriginal community members serving CCOs or have fines and warrants; Parolees; Aboriginal people transitioning back into community after a period of incarceration; participants of Yawal Mugadjina Journey Plan & Dual track offenders (18- to 21-year-olds)

About You

• Case management experience and/or a degree/tertiary qualification in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or other related area is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Aboriginal and mainstream service system and resources available to support Aboriginal people in contact with the justice system.
• Ability to demonstrate and model high morale, resilience and a genuine desire to work with Aboriginal community and provide support to outreach clients.
• Ability to tailor and adapt the program to meet the needs of community.
• Ability to maintain and develops stakeholder relationship with clients and justice stakeholders to establish goals and outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and delivering effective case management i.e. create and revise case plans, report writing, advice, support, and services to Aboriginal people.
• Requirement: 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 Drivers Licence.

What we can offer you!!

• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take home pay.
• Great career development opportunities.
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing program(s).
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply.

If what is listed above seems like the role for you, the team for you and an opportunity that you can't wait to get your hands on, then all that's left to do is to click Apply Now and start your professional journey with VACCA. Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume.

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.

A position description is attached.