Do you have knowledge and experience working within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community?

Do you have an interest in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in the Justice System?

Do you have strong leadership and advocacy skills and a desire to work within a team of Aboriginal staff to contribute to creating a stronger, healthier and safer community?

Attractive annual salary of $78,638 – $80,608 is on offer for this position.

About Ravenhall Correctional Centre

Ravenhall Correctional Centre is part of The GEO Group Australia, based west of Melbourne and is Victoria’s largest prison for adult sentenced and unsentenced males. It’s contemporary campus-style design provides a safe and humane environment that enables and nurtures GEO’s Continuum of Care operating philosophy.

Ravenhall also has a dedicated Forensic Mental Health Unit, a specialised Closed Supervision Unit for prisoners with significant challenging behaviours, and a small Mission Based Unit for prisoners who have never been in custody before. In recognition of the importance of Continuum of Care, Ravenhall extends its presence into the community by providing ex-prisoners with access to post-release support at GEO’s Community Reintegration Centre. 

About the Opportunity

As the Aboriginal Key Worker, you will be responsible for providing placement-based case management support and pre and post-release support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prisoners to assist them to successfully transition from Ravenhall back into the community.

They will work closely with Aboriginal Contractors, GEO Reintegration and Post Release Workers and Alliance Partners to ensure reintegration planning for Aboriginal prisoners is holistic and focuses upon strengthening connections to community. They will assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners to develop a Cultural Plan to assist with their reintegration and will work collaboratively with Aboriginal community organisations to ensure continuity of supports that is responsive to the specific needs of Aboriginal people.

They will also provide consultation and advice to all staff at Ravenhall to assist in ensuring a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prisoners. The Aboriginal Key Worker is an identified Aboriginal position and will also ideally have a background in social work, welfare or community services.

Your Skills & Experience

To be successful in the role you will possess the following:

Essential:

• A demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and demonstrated commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people.
• A deep and authentic understanding of Indigenous culture, peoples, Country and traditions and the impact that the criminal justice system has on indigenous men, families and communities.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
• A demonstrated ability to be mature, flexible and empathetic to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners.
• An understanding of the reintegration needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and demonstrated experience in working with Aboriginal community organisations to address these needs.
• A demonstrated ability to be mature, flexible and empathetic to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other program areas and disciplines.
• Well-developed interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), assertiveness and negotiation skills.
• Ability to use a range of IT application programs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other program areas and disciplines.

Desirable:

• A background in Social Work, Welfare or Community Services.
• Previous experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a health, case-management or wellbeing role.

To view a copy of the position description, please click on Apply to be redirected to our website.

About the Benefits

Joining GEO is an exciting chance to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of prisoners, their families and the community.

You will receive an attractive remuneration package ranging between $78,638.00 – $80,608.00. In addition, you’ll enjoy free onsite parking, subsidised meals and access to the staff gym.

GEO provides ongoing supervision and professional development to ensure that our staff continue to develop and grow while working at Ravenhall. We are committed to creating a positive working culture where our employees can work ethically and responsively to meet the needs of prisoners, therefore promoting lasting positive change.

If successful for this role you will be considered an authorised worker and as such will be requested to show evidence during the recruitment process confirming you have satisfied the mandated Covid-19 vaccination requirements as set out by the Victorian Government and Department of Health and Human Services for authorised workers. 

For any enquiries, or to discuss the position in more detail please contact Daisy Devitt, Senior Human Resources Officer on (03) 8363 6356 or at [email protected] – Applications close at 11:30 pm, Sunday 6 November, 2022

Please note: Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply for this position

We are always looking for people to join our company who share the values that we stand for:

INTEGRITY – RESPECT – ACCOUNTABLE – AGILE – INNOVATIVE