The Reconnection Mentor is responsible for providing culturally safe, trauma‐informed, personalised support to First Nations people transitioning from incarceration back into the community. The role supports participants pre‐release, on the day of release, and for up to 12 months post‐release, helping them reconnect with health, housing, cultural, social, education and employment services. The role works collaboratively with correctional facilities, community services, employers, education providers and other stakeholders to ensure continuity of support and successful reintegration.
The Case Manager supports participants to achieve sustainable employment and life goals through tailored, holistic case management. This involves actively engaging participants, addressing barriers to employment, enhancing work-readiness, and connecting them with training, support services, and employment opportunities.
This full-time position (76 hours per fortnight) is based in Geraldton and surrounding towns. In accordance with our agreement with DEWR, this role is open to Indigenous applicants only.
MEEDAC is a West Australian Aboriginal Corporation with a difference. We have grown rapidly and have diversified our service offerings with the objective of improving the lives of our people in regional and remote Australia. Our purpose is to Connect, Engage and Enhance communities in which we are involved and assist our clients to look beyond their circumstance to recognise and achieve their potential. We are passionate about we do. We are an ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 45001 (Work Health and Safety) and ISO 27001 (Information Security) compliant organisation that strives to continuously improve on what we do and find new ways to make a meaningful contribution to the communities in which we operate. Every position at MEEDAC plays a vital role in promoting our values across a range of activities and programs that make us unique. We depend on each other and the work we do to make our efforts fulfil our obligations to provide excellence in how and what we deliver.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Conduct assessments and develop employment-focused job plans;
* Support participants through goal setting, coaching, and the development of job plans;
* Provide assistance with resume writing, interview preparation, job applications, and referrals to training and education;
* Participate in outreach, activity delivery, and relief case management when required;
* Build strong, culturally safe and trusting relationships with participants, providing personalised, trauma informed mentoring throughout the pre release and post release phases;
* Maintain regular contact, including delivering high intensity support on the day of release and providing regular mentoring to support participant stability, wellbeing and reintegration;
* Develop each participant's Individual Action Plan (IAP) and keep it updated to reflect changing needs, goals and circumstances;
* Support participants to work towards achievable goals while providing practical and emotional assistance during their transition back into the community, including helping them access accommodation, healthcare, training, employment and support services;
* Work collaboratively with correctional facilities to arrange visits, communicate participant needs, and prepare individuals for release;
* Respond to challenging behaviours with professionalism and empathy, providing timely crisis intervention when required;
* Facilitate referrals and warm handovers to appropriate services, networks, and community organisations to ensure coordinated support;
* Deliver mentoring, life skills support, workshops and employment focused activities to help participants overcome personal and work related barriers;
* Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, community organisations, service providers and internal MEEDAC teams to support participant pathways and opportunities;
* Accurately maintain participant records and program data in internal and external systems, ensuring all documentation complies with privacy, confidentiality, and organisational standards;
* Ensure records and personal information are stored appropriately to guarantee confidentiality is maintained in accordance with Legislative requirements and MEEDAC Privacy Policy;
* Ensure the safety and wellbeing of yourself, other MEEDAC personnel and your clients and customers;
* Encourage and demonstrate a positive safety culture within the company by actively promoting MEEDAC's Work Health and Safety vision and objectives;
* Contribute to, comply with, implement and maintain MEEDAC's operational work procedures and processes to comply with company's management system requirements;
* Contribute to, review and improve MEEDAC's Quality Management System and Work Health and Safety Management System;
* Other specific role requirements may also be stated within MEEDAC's Management Systems Documentation. E.g. within procedures,policies, etc;
* Travel as required for outreach service delivery or training;
* Undertake other reasonable duties as directed by management.
Mandatory
* Must be an Australian Citizen;
* Must hold a valid Australian Driver's Licence;
* Appointment subject to a satisfactory Australian Police Clearance, Working with Children Check and other required checks;
* Must be able to pass a Drug & Alcohol Test;
* Ability to obtain and maintain prison clearance;
* Compliance with MEEDAC and third-party requirements, including policies related to vaccination, drug and alcohol use, safety, and conduct;
* Willingness to travel as required.
Skills & Attributes
* High level of cultural competency, with the ability to provide culturally safe and trauma‐informed support;
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain professional boundaries;
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internal database systems;
* Excellent time management and organisational abilities, capable of meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment;
* Demonstrated professionalism, ethical practice, and confidentiality;
* Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgment.
Experience
* Demonstrated experience supporting vulnerable individuals, ideally within justice, community services, employment services, or related fields;
* Experience delivering one‐on‐one or group mentoring, counselling, or wellbeing support sessions;
* Proven ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with employers, community organisations, and service providers;
* Experience supporting First Nations participants with complex needs, including those from remote or disadvantaged backgrounds;
* Experience working in performance‐ or outcomes‐based environments, achieving measurable and meaningful results.
Closing date for applications is the 20/03/2026.
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