Aboriginal Wellbeing Officer

**Provide ongoing welfare, advocacy, and support for Aboriginal prisoners and assist with access to appropriate pre and post release programs.**:

- **Various ongoing full-time positions available.**:

- **VPS Grade 3: $79,122 - $96,073 plus superannuation.**

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) is seeking** Aboriginal Wellbeing Officer's (AWO)**to fill a vital role at Western Plains Correctional Centre.

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

**About the Business Unit**

Western Plains Correctional Centre is a modern, maximum-security prison focussed on rehabilitation, housing up to 1248 people in custody. Western Plains features multi-purpose infrastructure which is adaptable to the evolving needs of Corrections Victoria and the people in our care. Modern amenities include medical wards, a cultural centre, and vocational training facilities.

Western Plains provides a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to individualised care which motivates, encourages and promotes reintegration into the community. Western Plains has advanced technology which improves security, streamlines operations and enhances connections for the people in our care.

Western Plains operates with three primary service teams: Workforce and Prison Services, Communities, and Safety and Operational Service which collaboratively deliver comprehensive services for people in our care, safety management, and corporate services. Through its innovative design and service model, Western Plains aims to create a thriving environment conducive to safety and positive behavioural change.

**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.

The AWO has direct prisoner contact and is responsible for engaging and actively working with Aboriginal people in custody. You will 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.

**Some of your responsibilities will include**:

- Provide cultural and practical support for Aboriginal people in custody through identifying their strengths, aspirations and obtainable goals for returning to a non-offending lifestyle in their community.
- Provide wellbeing support to Aboriginal people in custody that enables individual pre and post release needs to be met, advocating on their behalf where appropriate.
- Assist Aboriginal people to access programs and entitlements to assist with reintegration into the community.
- Assist Aboriginal people to re-connect and/or maintain links with their families, community organisations and other support systems through advice, support and referrals.
- Participate in case management of Aboriginal people, working with them and custodial staff to develop plans supporting transition back into community.
- Provide cultural advice, support and guidance to the prison workforce about working with Aboriginal people. This includes contributing to the identification of training opportunities for staff involved in the delivery of offender management to Aboriginal people.
- Coordinate cultural activities, including NAIDOC events, and programs designed specifically for Aboriginal people in custody.
- Maintain appropriate case notes, intelligence reports and other written reports of engagement with prisoners when required.

**About you**

To be successful in this role, you will have:

- A demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal Community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it.
- A demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal community.

**For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made.**

To learn more about this role before applying, please read