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 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Salary Offering: $78,402.32 – $84,357.5 (VALS CPB 1.1 - 1.4) per annum, depending on experience plus 11.5% Superannuation

Additional Benefits

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
• Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia

Office Locations: Maude Street, Shepparton

This role is full-time fixed term until 30 June 2028.

This position may require regional and very occasional interstate travel.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

The Aboriginal Community Engagement Worker works as part a multidisciplinary team with Balit Ngulu youth lawyers. The ACE Worker works alongside Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people (clients) to:

• Promote cultural safety.
• Develop and implement plans that keep the young person safe, support their diversion from the youth justice system and build their resilience.
• Provide transport to and from court and other appointments with the client, including attending court and appointments with them. For instance, acting as a source of support and advice for them at court, interviews, and other formal meetings.
• Represent and promote Balit Ngulu and participate in client case planning processes with partner agencies.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of contacts with and for clients and undertake other administrative tasks consistent with VALS policies and procedures.
• As directed, undertake other duties that are incidental and peripheral to main tasks, provided such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills and competence

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

• Lived experience in an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community(ies) with demonstrated knowledge of issues that impact access to justice and support services for Aboriginal children and young people, ideally in Victoria.
• A Certificate IV in Youth Work, Diploma in Youth Work and/or equivalent experience. If not at Diploma level, must be willing to undertake relevant professional qualification (which will be supported by VALS).
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal young people.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment including assertively and respectfully with partners, including ACCOs and persons working within Victorian courts, police, youth justice and child protection and residential care services.
• Good computer skills.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Victorian legal system, including an understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and key amendments and associated policies and guidelines relevant to youth justice. This includes Children’s Court practices and procedures.
• Work within the not-for-profit sector, ideally within an ACCO.
• Experience of working as part of a whole-family and whole-community approach to supporting clients.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

On offer of this position, you must provide:

• Copy of your current Employee Working with Children Card.
• You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check.
• Up to date vaccination certificate or valid medical exemption
• Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e., a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate, or Immigration VISA documentation
• Current valid Victorian Driver’s Licence
• Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this opportunity, please click "Apply Now" and provide:

• A covering letter outlining who you are and why you are suited to this position.
• A statement addressing each of the key selection criteria – applications submitted without a statement addressing the key selection criteria will not be accepted. Please note the key selection criteria is found within the position description.
• Your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees.