First Nations Support Officer

The Spark Consortium has been selected to deliver the Central Package of the North East Link Project - Victoria's biggest road project.

The Spark Consortium's Design and Construction Contractor - which comprises Webuild, CPB Contractors, GS Engineering and Construction and China Construction Oceania - will deliver the twin three-lane tunnels and key interchanges for the project.

The Central Package will be delivered as a Public Private Partnership and provides three-lane twin tunnels that will close the missing link in Melbourne's freeway network from the M80 Ring Road to an upgraded Eastern Freeway, reducing journey times and diverting heavy vehicles away from local roads. Up to 135,000 vehicles will use North East Link every day, reducing congestion in the north-east while maintaining local roads.

The North East Link project is looking for a First Nations Support Officer to join our team based in Abbotsford. The primary role of the First Nations Support Officer is to support Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander employees, subcontractor staff/workforce and project staff, working alongside the Aboriginal Engagement team to provide a culturally safe and supported work environment.

This position is classified as an identified position aimed at increasing employment opportunities for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. The position requires an in-depth knowledge of Aboriginal culture and an ability to communicate with Aboriginal communities. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

This role will be accountable for:

• Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of the Spark Indigenous programs.
• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with participants to understand their personal circumstances and being able to support the client to meet their learning goals and needs.
• Communicating with the participants/employees to explore barriers, identify possible solutions and collaborate with relevant site team members to achieve a resolution.
• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with support services, community organisations, cultural groups and government agencies and refer participants based on their needs and circumstances.
• Contributing to and promoting the implementation of culturally safe spaces across the project for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander employees
• Supporting project staff to improve their culturally sensitive practices.
• Supporting project teams and subcontractors to set up employees for success.
• Participating, developing and providing prevention and community activities/events as required.
• Providing support to and sharing expertise with other staff, program participants and subcontractor employees.
• Participating in staff meetings, supervision, training and team planning workshops.
• Other duties as required.
  • Counselling/Support:
  • Providing culturally appropriate yarning/counselling, referrals and support service information and support to employees.
  • Facilitating family support initiatives and family inclusive practice if and where required.
  • Taking part in shared employee management in consultation with P&C.
  • Performing administrative and office management tasks as required.
  • Preparing brief and concise notes as required, for follow up and action.
  To be successful in this role, you will have:
  • Have a Certificate III in Community Services and / or experience in working with Indigenous people in a counselling service
  • Previous experience as a Social Worker, Community Worker, will be highly advantageous
  • Current and detailed knowledge of indigenous issues, trends and practices and the ability to analyse their impact on current employees
  • Proven ability to build rapport quickly and establish relationships and networks to deliver a variety of support activities to employees
  • Strong stakeholder engagement ethic, attention to detail, time management, and high level of administration skills
  • A friendly, positive, approachable, and empathetic personality
  What we Offer:
  • Ongoing career support and development opportunities
  • Generous parental leave
  • Strong culture charter
  • Quarterly social events
  • Reward and recognition program
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Competitive salary

If this opportunity is of interest to you, please click on the 'Apply now' button to register your interest and please also subscribe to 'Job Alerts' to be notified of upcoming opportunities with SPARK.

Whilst we are keen to hear from candidates with proven infrastructure project experience or experience working for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Contractor to be a part of an iconic construction project in Melbourne, Victoria, we also will consider applicants who are seeking to enter or re-enter the industry.

SPARK is committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and actively seeks to remove barriers people may face in gaining a successful position on the North East Link Central Package. We value diversity, inclusion and equity through providing a working environment where all employees feel included, valued, and free to bring their different skills, experiences and perspectives.