Aboriginal Liaison Officer | Melbourne - Northern Metro

Job Description

• Full time, ongoing opportunity available at Parkville Youth Justice Precinct, with regular travel to Malmsbury required
• Salary range $70,791 - $81,408 plus superannuation
• Work with Aboriginal children and young people in custody providing cultural support and programs to the children, young people, family and community

About us

The Department of Justice and Community Safety's Youth Justice Division is responsible for the supervision of children and young people in the criminal justice system and for providing strategic advice and delivering strategic outcomes to address youth crime and reduce offending.

Youth Justice Custodial Services is responsible for managing the two Youth Justice Custodial Precincts in Victoria, located in Parkville and Malmsbury. Youth justice custodial centres accommodate young people aged 10-18 years who have been remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18-21 year olds sentenced by Adult Courts to a youth justice custodial centre.

Aboriginal Youth Justice is responsible for ensuring all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people in custody are managed in a culturally safe manner and that cultural support is provided. They are also responsible for community programs, policy development and implementation in relation to Youth Justice Community Services.

About the role

As an Aboriginal Liaison Officer, you will engage and work with Aboriginal children and young people in custody, providing culturally specific support and programs to these children and young people, their families and communities.

You will advocate for Aboriginal children and young people in custody, involve family members and the community in cultural support and transition planning and develop and maintain Cultural Support Plans. You will also provide input into care teams and to custodial staff to ensure that Aboriginal cultural rights are upheld.

This position is primarily based at Parkville Youth Justice Precinct and regular travel to Malmsbury will be required.  Flexibility to work from both locations will also be considered.

This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under 'special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal Community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it
• ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal community
• Provide individualised cultural and practical support for Aboriginal children and young people in custody through identifying their strengths, aspirations and obtainable goals for returning to a non-offending lifestyle in their community.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of relevant Elders, community and professional groups to maximize their input to service development.
• Provide secondary consultation to staff to assist them to appropriately respond to the needs of Aboriginal children and young people.
• The Aboriginal Liaison Officer role requires participation on a weekly rotating standby/on-call roster.

You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.

For more information on the accountabilities and key selection criteria for the role, please refer to the attached position description.

Why work with us?

At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we provide every person with the means to achieve their potential through ongoing learning and development opportunities in a diverse, equitable and supportive environment.

All candidates are given the opportunity to utilise support from the Aboriginal Employment Team throughout the recruitment process with the team contactable via email at aboriginal.employment@justice.vic.gov.au

We have various staff support networks in place including a state-wide Aboriginal Staff Network, Aboriginal Youth Network and regional Aboriginal Staff Networks. These networks assist in developing and retaining Aboriginal staff through peer support, professional and personal development, establishing connections and providing valuable cultural peer support from other Aboriginal staff members.

We look for people who are prepared to do their very best in line with our values and behaviours. Our values shape and influence how we recruit, train and develop our staff and build relationships with stakeholders.

How to apply

Please click the Apply button at the bottom of this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

Please note: When completing the online application form, you will be required to respond to specific questions pertaining to the position's Key Selection Criteria. You do not need to separately address all of the position's Key Selection Criteria.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.