Community Engagment Worker

• Position: Fixed Term (12 months), Full Time
• Location: Dandenong
• Salary: $100,783 - $105,349 plus superannuation and salary package

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation's visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

The role will work alongside the project lead and provide the cultural knowledge and introductions to the community that will provide the foundations for the facilitation of community consultations. The project aim to develop an evidence based model for the delivery of culturally responsive support service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families seeking mental health and wellbeing supports at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect South East Metro, Dandenong Hub (Connect Centre) where VACCA has an existing presence. The Connect Centre offers support to individuals, family, carers, supporters, and kin of people with mental health and/or substance use challenges.

This position sits within the Southern VACCA region team whose responsibilities include delivery of mental health and wellbeing supports to Aboriginal children and families in Melbourne's southern metro region.

About You

• Commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA' vision and purpose
• Certificate, diploma or degree in a relevant field such as community services, social work, allied health, psychology, justice or education
• Strong Cultural knowledge and deep understanding of Community needs and commitment to supporting a culturally safe work environment and apply Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and working
• Experience within mental health, wellbeing, child and family, community engagement sectors and demonstrated awareness and understanding of working with people with lived experience of suicide.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating groups and cultural and community activities
• Excellent interpersonal skills for professional communication, negotiation, and effective problem-solving.
• Proactive approach in fostering a positive, collaborative work environment and support the development and delivery of a project
• Ability to work autonomously, prioritise, and manage time effectively and flexibly
• Requirements: Valid Police Check, a Working with Children's Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence. Current COVID-19 vaccination (Strongly Recommended)

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5%  loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program

Please note: This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume.

We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying.

Please click here to download the position description for this role.

Community Engagment Worker - Suicide

Application closes by 31st October 2025

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy