Lead and strengthen care for Aboriginal children and families
Provide leadership and cultural guidance across programs that support Aboriginal children, young people and carers, as Out of Home Care (OOHC) Coordinator.
This role coordinates daily operations within the OOHC team, promotes culturally safe and trauma-aware practice, and builds strong partnerships to achieve positive outcomes for families and community.
Please note, this is an Identified Role and open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only.
In this role, you will:
Coordinate daily operations across OOHC programs including Kinship, Foster Care, and Family Services
Provide supervision, support, and professional guidance to OOHC staff and trainees
Strengthen culturally safe and trauma-informed service delivery for children and carers
Support continuous improvement, program development and compliance with standards
Build collaborative relationships with Aboriginal and mainstream agencies to support families
About You:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity is essential for this role
Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Social Work, Community Services or related field
Strong knowledge of child protection, OOHC legislation, and Aboriginal family supports
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering effective service outcomes
Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills
Selection Criteria
Essential:
Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree or Post Graduate Qualification in the fields of Social Work or Community Services
Skills
* Demonstrated capacity and knowledge of managing intensive support program relevant to preventing the removal of children from family.
* Demonstrated understanding of the Child Youth and Families Act and child protection procedures.
* Demonstrated ability to connect with Aboriginal children and carers in cultural appropriate manner.
* Demonstrated knowledge and understanding Aboriginal culture and issues relating to the needs of Aboriginal families in the area.
* Experience in managing staff, developing strong team spirit, and managing conflict within the team.
* Demonstrated experience in program development and managing team implementation
* An ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people and handle issues in a sensitive manner.
* An ability to conduct professional supervision, assess staff learning needs, review performance, and address staff Human Resource issues including performance issues.
* Demonstrated strong written, verbal communication skills and information systems
* Demonstrated ability to manage multiskilled, diverse teams to drive cooperation to deliver effective outcomes to community.
* Demonstrated ability develop and work collaboratively partnerships with external parties
* Understanding financial controls and procurement procedures required by programs and overseeing staff procurements
* Strong Computer skills
Experience
* Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar role
Satisfactory evidence of:
* Pre-employment checks not limited to at least two professional referees
* Proof of identity and qualifications
* National police check, Working with Children's Check, full Victorian driver's license
* Disclosure of any pre-existing illness / injury and vaccination status in line with Njernda's current policy and procedure, and as applicable
* Eligibility to work in Australia, professional/regulatory licenses, registration and current good standing, and clearance on aged care banning orders.
Desirable:
* Work experience in regional Australia, in an Aboriginal organisation.
Please apply via Seek before November 14, providing a cover letter (responding to the Selection Criteria above), a resume and the details of at least two referees.