• Salary Offering $78,402.32 - $84,357.55

Please note, this is an Aboriginal and Torres Islander identified position. Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply as this position is exempt under the special measures provision of S12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act (VIC).

OVERVIEW

The Baggarrook Woman’s Transitional Housing Program “Program” has been established to assist eligible Aboriginal woman who have been released from prison to make a successful reintegration into the community after their release.

The Program incorporates six transitional houses and post release support to Aboriginal woman exiting prison, with VALS and Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) working together to deliver the program.

VALS Baggarrook Program Officers work 1:1 with women participants to support their goals and pursuit of suitable long-term housing and independence. This includes working in partnership with other agencies, including culturally safe health providers, housing services, family violence programs, drug and alcohol services and community groups.

Office Locations: High Street, Preston and frequent travel to Braybrook hub.

This role is full-time fixed term until 30th June 2025.

This position may require regional and very occasional interstate travel.

What A Day as A Baggarrook Program Officer Looks Like:

• Building good working relationships with women participants and key services
• Providing 1:1 support to clients exiting prison for 6 months, with the potential of this taking place over 12 months. This can include transporting women to and from appointments and attending appointments with them to support their confidence building and independent living skills.
• Leveraging existing knowledge and networks to support the women to be referred to, or engage with potential community housing options.
• Undertaking and monitoring of risk and safety assessments, including MARAM for the program and for individual clients.
• Conducting referrals and linking in with organisations to ensure that women’s needs are met, including ensuring that these are culturally safe and appropriate.
• Liaising with prison staff that are undertaking assessments and referrals into the program, as well as regularly attending and running workshops in the prison environment.
• Recording interactions with women participants consistent with VALS client management policies and procedures.
• Contributing to the development of positive relationships between the local Koori community and community services.
• Attending and participating in staff, partner organisation and community meetings.
• Liaising and networking with other Aboriginal organisations and mainstream agencies to promote the program.
• Complete quarterly reporting requirements as required by the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
• As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Excellent relationship building skills with people with complex needs and behaviours such as trauma, alcohol, drugs and disabilities.
2. Experience of working 1:1 with service users, ideally service users with complex needs.
3. Proven experience of working within, and an active knowledge of the current housing and homeless sector.
4. A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system and an understanding of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities.
5. Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
6. The ability to work in a multi-skilled environment.
7. Good computing skills.

Desirable:

1. Demonstrated experience and/or qualifications in case management.
2. Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, ideally with an Aboriginal community controlled organisation.