Aboriginal Wellbeing Officer

**Overview**:
**Work type**:Full time

**Salary**:$76,817 - $93,275

**Grade**:VPSG3

**Occupation**: Administration/Secretarial

**Location**: Geelong

**Reference**: DJCS/1845644

At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.

The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers

We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?
- ** Join Victoria's brand-new correctional facility in an ongoing full-time role**:

- **Deliver exceptional case management support for Aboriginal people**:

- **Help shape the provision of tailored pre and post release programs for Aboriginal men in custody**:

- **Multiple positions**

**_This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under 'special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply_**.

Western Plains Correctional Centre (Western Plains) is Victoria's newest maximum-security correctional facility, designed to house up to 1,248 people in custody.

Western Plains is a multi-purpose facility that adapts to the evolving needs of Corrections Victoria. It features purpose-built modern amenities including medical wards, a cultural centre and vocational training facilities. It also utilises cutting-edge technology to keep the facility secure, allowing staff to focus on supporting the rehabilitation of people in custody.

Western Plains will open mid-2025 and Corrections Victoria are now recruiting key roles to help shape the future operations of the facility.

**About the role**

The Aboriginal Wellbeing Officer (AWO) role was established under the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement, as a response to the findings of the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

AWO's are part of Corrections Victoria's commitment to reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system and to ensuring that Aboriginal Victorians achieve the same justice outcomes as the broader Victorian community.

The AWO will form part of the Aboriginal Services team, which is responsible for the development, co-ordination and delivery of a range of culturally responsive programs, services and events.

Reporting to the Aboriginal Services Manager, the AWO has direct prisoner contact and is responsible for engaging and actively working with Aboriginal people in custody. The AWO provides cultural, spiritual and wellbeing support and leads the co-ordination of cultural activities including NAIDOC events and Aboriginal specific programs. The role will participate in the case management of Aboriginal people, working with multi-disciplinary teams to support successful transition back to the community.

The AWO will understand case management and have a demonstrated understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal Community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it.

**To be successful in this role, you will bring**:

- knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal Community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it.
- an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal community.
- expertise to provide cultural and practical support for Aboriginal people in custody through case management strategies to support them achieve goals for a successful return to their community

**How to apply**:
Applications close Wednesday 5 March 2025 at 11.59PM

Posted 19 February 2025