Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Homelessness Worker

The Salvation Army; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 74,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,900 taxfree

Meal entertainment benefit $2,650

Paid parental leave

Purchased leave scheme

5 days leave to work in other TSA 2

EAP and health & wellness initiatives

Sorry Business and Ceremonial leave (

Burra Burra Network access

Message Stick newsletter

Job summary

The Salvation Army in Coburg North, VIC, invites an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Homelessness Worker to support clients referred through the court system. You will provide culturally safe and responsive housing support, helping access crisis, transitional and long-term housing while aligning with national and state strategies.

You will work trauma-informed, client-led support and coordinate with courts, housing providers, Aboriginal organisations, and support services to reduce

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work or community services (or a lower qualification with strong relevant work experience)
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity with knowledge of local communities
• Understanding of impacts of history and intergenerational trauma on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues
• Experience supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Understanding trauma-informed and client-led support
• Ability to support people with complex needs including involvement with the justice system or family violence
• Current Victorian Driver’s Licence and an Employee Working with Children Check, or willingness to obtain both

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally safe, trauma-informed and client-centred support
• Meet people where they are and work to understand their housing needs
• Assess housing needs and assist clients to secure crisis, transitional and long-term housing
• Work with clients to create simple support plans and check progress regularly
• Help people connect with community, cultural and other support services
• Build strong working relationships with courts, housing providers, Aboriginal organisations and support services

Skills

Aboriginal identity

Trauma-informed practice

Client-centred support

Housing coordination

Cultural safety

Driving

Working with Children Check

Education

Degree in Social Work

Community services qualification

Job description

Number of Positions Available: 1

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia's largest and most-loved charities. We believe in doing good that transforms lives and futures for the better. It is this belief which drives us to find new ways and places where we can make a difference. From times of personal crisis to moments of national grief, we are always here — providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Homelessness Worker

Identified position for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates

Foster meaningful connections with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Supports and benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff such as Sorry Leave and dedicated EAP

The Salvation Army welcomes, encourages and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are registered with Reconciliation Australia and have an active Reconciliation Action Plan. We have an embedded cultural competency and capability framework and are committed to a culturally welcoming and safe working environment. We offer additional support by providing connection to our Burra Burra support network and virtual yarning circles.

About the role

We recognise the key to our success is an exceptional Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and therefore, we are seeking an outstanding individual to be part of the Housing Pathways Programs and Courts team. You will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been referred through the court system and are at risk of homelessness. You will provide culturally safe and responsive support, help people access housing and other services, and work to reduce ongoing homelessness and involvement with the justice system. This role uses strong knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander homelessness services and works in line with national and state strategies. Reporting to the Team Leader, this is a fixed-term full-time position, contracted for 12 months, based on-site in Coburg North, VIC. Travel will be required across metropolitan and regional areas.

Conditions

Compensation is in accordance with the SCHADS Award Level 5. $53.43 – $55.85 hourly + superannuation based on experience level and qualifications, exclusive of penalties, allowances, NFP salary packaging.

Responsibilities include

• Provide culturally safe, trauma-informed and client-centred support
• Meet people where they are and work alongside them to understand their housing needs
• Assess housing needs and assist clients to secure crisis, transitional and long‑term housing
• Work with clients to create simple support plans based on what matters to them and check in regularly on their progress
• Help people connect with community, cultural and other support services that are important to them
• Build strong working relationships with courts, housing providers, Aboriginal organisations and support services

To be successful for the role, you will possess

• A degree level qualification in Social Work or community services (or a lower qualification with strong relevant work experience)
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity, with knowledge of and connection to local communities
• Demonstrated understanding of and an active interest in the impacts of history, culture and intergenerational trauma on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues
• Experience supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• An understanding of trauma‑informed and client‑led support
• The ability to support people with complex needs, including involvement with the justice system or family violence
• Confidence working with different services and building positive relationships
• A current Victorian Driver’s Licence and an Employee Working with Children Check, or willingness to get one

What we offer

• The Salvos offer eligible employees real and meaningful package of benefits including Salary packaging up to $15,900 tax free + $2,650 meal entertainment benefit
• Generous Paid Parental leave for primary (12 weeks) & secondary carers, Purchased Leave Scheme (up to 8 weeks) and 5 days paid leave per year to experience working in other TSA programs or activities
• Access to EAP and health & wellness initiatives incl Fitness Passport
• Sorry Business and Ceremonial leave (up to 10 days)
• Becoming part of our Burra Burra Network – a pastoral care network where regular group and topic‑specific yarning circles are hosted to bring an awareness of the support and opportunities available
• Message Stick - quarterly newsletter update from the Territorial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team for those who are interested in our work and engagement with First Nations communities, including current and upcoming activities

This position is open to people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent only as TSA considers Aboriginal and/or a Torres Strait Islander people are under-represented in this industry as per section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Victoria).

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people. The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration.

Mission, Vision & Values

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus. We share the love of Jesus by: Caring for people Creating faith pathways Building healthy communities Working for justice When you work with the Salvos, you help make a real difference to the community and the lives of others. Find more information here. Check out how we’re bringing some more good in the world. Why work with the Salvos? The Salvation Army offers a range of employment opportunities across the organisation, including those in community programs, aged care, retail, employment services, corporate and other support services. When you choose to work with the Salvos, you choose to believe in doing good that transforms the lives of people and communities facing hardship or crisis. So, if you are passionate about work that has purpose and satisfaction, you are keen on delivering social and sustainable outcomes that change lives, we want to hear from you. Our employees have access to a range of benefits, plus personal development and career diversity opportunities that deliver real and meaningful benefits. Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a healthy work‑life balance, generous salary packaging opportunities, parental leave, purchase leave schemes and much more. The Salvation Army encourages people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that accepts and recognises every person, embraces their strengths and differences, and provide opportunities for all people to achieve their highest potential. Check out our career page to find out more about our recruitment process and what its like to work at the Salvos. We are always on the lookout for individuals keen to help us fulfil mission to support those in need. Along with contributing their valuable time to a good cause, volunteers bring much-needed vitality and a fresh perspective through their ideas to the range of roles we have on offer. Whatever your skillset, availability, or areas of interest, we are keen to hear from you. Check out our volunteer opportunities here.