This is an Indigenous Identified role only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8 (1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and S12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The Local Justice Worker (LJW) Program is an initiative of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA), an agreement between the Victorian Government and the Koori community to improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal people.
The Local Justice Worker (LJW) role will work closely with other justice agencies to support Aboriginal people throughout their engagement with the criminal justice system, including:
•Community Corrections Services (CCS)
•Sheriff’s Office
•Victoria Police
•Prisons
•Koori Court and Courts Victoria
•Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (RAJAC)
•Local Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (LAJAC)
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Adopt a client centered case management approach that will assist clients with complex needs. Provide support to Aboriginal clients with:
Community Corrections Orders
•Where appropriate, assist the Sherriff’s Operations and Corrections Victoria with case management of Aboriginal clients.
•Provide on the job management of Aboriginal clients undertaking mandated community work.
•Identify and implement culturally appropriate community work sites.
•Provide relevant support and referral to community services to assist clients with complex care needs, including internal referrals to Gunditjmara services and programs.
•Meet the necessary requirements (administrative and other) of adequately managing clients undertaking mandated community work.
Fines and Warrants
•Community education regarding justice issues, processes and obligations regarding fines and warrants
•Assist Aboriginal people with outstanding fines and warrants.
•Establish positive working relationship with local Sherriff Officers and where available, Sherriff Aboriginal Liaison Officers
Yawal Mugadjina Cultural Journey Plan
•Pre-release planning, including physical visits to prisons.
•Provide culturally tailored post-release support.
•Guide case planning, referrals and community connection.
Community Education and Support
•Promote the LJW Programme
•Advocate on behalf of and in collaboration with clients regarding justice matters.
•Provide referral to relevant service providers (housing, medical, financial, legal)
•Motivate and support clients to attend community work, including discussing consequences of non-attendance, providing reminders of upcoming community work requirements, and transporting clients to and from community work.
Governance and Reporting
•Develop Terms of Reference in partnership with Local Steering Committee members
•Participate in LAJAC meetings.
•Where appropriate attend Intensive Case Management meetings
•Use the Client Management tool (CMT) to gather client data and activities and brokerage expenditure.
Contribute to the Development of positive relationships between the local Aboriginal community and justice related service providers .
•Liaise with justice agency staff members to improve relationships with the Aboriginal community and increase access to justice services.
•Meet regularly with Victoria Police and other justice agencies (CCS and Sherriff’s Office) to assist in the development and implementation of initiatives that improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal people.
•Liaise with justice related service providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.
•Inform justice related service providers about social and historical factors that may contribute to negative contact between justice and other agencies and community members.
•Provide court support for clients as required.
Essential
•Understanding and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, culture and the philosophy and practice of Aboriginal Community Control
•Ability to work with Aboriginal organizations, communities, and individuals in culturally appropriate ways.
•Connectedness to the community
•Demonstrated understanding of the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
•Ability to mentor and support clients complete their Community Correction Orders and resolve their fines and warrants.
•Case management experience
•Moderate level computer skills
•Minimum Certificate III level qualification in a relevant area and / or significant related work experience and training
•Identify as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander.
Desirable
•Experience in Justice Work.
•Experience in Support Work.
HOW TO APPLY
Position descriptions are available on request by emailing Recruitment@gunditjmara.org.au
Please forward your covering letter (addressing the key selection criteria) and resume to recruitment@gunditjmara.org.au .
We are looking to fill these position ASAP, however we will wait for the right candidate, so get in quick.
We are a Child Safe organisation. This means that any job offer will be subject to strict screening processes and proof of immunisation (both childhood & Covid). See the position description for further information.