• Position: Permanent, Full time
• Location: Dandenong
• Salary: $106,389 to $111,092 plus Super and 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

This position is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the ACSASS and ALCC team for the Southern Metropolitan and Bayside Peninsula Areas.

ACSASS provides independent consultation advice to Child Protection on the best ways of keeping children and young people safe through every phase of their involvement from intake, investigations, protective intervention, protection orders and closure. This advice will include the importance of strong connection to Aboriginal culture, community and family when making decisions in the best interest of the child.

ALCC is an early intervention program that was designed to divert Aboriginal families away from the Child Protection system and into culturally safe supports. Aboriginal families, including those expecting a baby, who have been reported to Child Protection are referred to the ALCC.

About You

• Qualifications in Social Work or Child and Family Welfare or extensive experience in the field
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA’s 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 experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of issues related to Aboriginal child and family welfare and Child Protection Systems
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, culturally appropriate and respectful way with a range of stakeholders including staff, Government and agency partners and clients
• Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of Aboriginal children, families and communities when dealing with Child Protection and the welfare system and support the best interests of Aboriginal children.
• 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  

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

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

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