• Position : Permanent, Full Time
• Location: Preston
• Salary: Up to $129,756 dependent on qualifications and experience, plus superannuation and salary packaging options

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care 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 Program Manager of the Therapeutic Specialist Team will be responsible for the successful management of a newly created team of Therapeutic Specialists. This team will be working directly with the Residential Services homes to establish trusting relationships with staff and young people in order to be the catalysts for trauma informed, culturally safe care being experienced by all Aboriginal young people in VACCA’s care.

You will provide supervision, support and mentor the Therapeutic Specialist staff, form strong working relationships with their peers in the Senior Leadership Team and support the integration of the Therapeutic Specialist team to the overall Residential Services team. A good balance of strong therapeutic practice experience and knowledge of therapeutic theories and models relevant to children and young people in Residential Services as well as experience in managing staff is essential for this role.

About You

• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose and the capacity to take a leadership role in championing these internally and externally
• Demonstrated awareness of Aboriginal culture, the complex history of colonization and the intergenerational trauma experienced by Aboriginal people, including all the current issues facing the Aboriginal community and an open, curious and self-reflective approach to continuous learning about culture and self determination
• Demonstrated experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children and contributing to Aboriginal child and family wellbeing that includes decolonizing work with recognition of the importance of connection to culture being a critical part of healing
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience with trauma-informed practice and responsive therapeutic approaches, and experience supporting and managing staff in this work with clients often engaging in high risk behaviours and who have complex trauma
• Well-developed oral and written skills and an ability and commitment to advocate for Aboriginal children
• Ability to work collaboratively with child protection workers, schools, police and Aboriginal and mainstream organisations and a range of other stakeholders
• Requirements: Tertiary qualifications or equivalent cultural expertise with at least 3 years working with children and young people in a leadership position; 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 and 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 

 We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply

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. 

A position description is attached.

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