Aboriginal Community Worker

NT Government - Department of Children and Families; Darwin; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

NT Government - Department of Children and Families is seeking an Aboriginal Community Worker (Administrative Officer 4) in the Greater Darwin Region. The role provides cultural support services to children, young people and families, aiming to reduce harm in line with departmental policies and the Care and Protection of Children Act.

Key duties include assisting in child safety, family support, case management, and carer recruitment; offering cultural advice and acting as a cultural broker with

Qualifications

• AQF Certificate IV in Community Services, or equivalent, or the ability to obtain.
• Experience living within Aboriginal cultural values and representing Aboriginal perspectives.
• Experience working with children, young people and families in a statutory setting including kinship.
• Ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders and prepare reports.
• Ability to plan and deliver culturally appropriate services.
• Willingness to travel by 4WD/light plane and stay overnight in remote communities.
• Computers or willingness to learn and undertake departmental training.
• Current Northern Territory drivers’ licence.

Responsibilities

• Under professional coaching, assist and participate in delivery of services including child safety, family support, case management and carer recruitment, assessment, support and training.
• Provide cultural advice to non-Aboriginal staff and act as a cultural broker in Departmental interactions with Aboriginal clients.
• Advocate and broker to enhance networking relationships and maintain open communications within and between the Department’s programs, other agencies and Aboriginal communities.
• Participate in service development of out of home care services.
• Ensure reliable data through accurate and timely recording in client information and case management systems.
• Assist in After-Hours Service and deliver statutory welfare group responses under the Emergency Management Act.

Skills

Cultural awareness

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Communication skills

Travel readiness

NT drivers’ licence

Education

AQF Certificate IV in Community Services

Job description

Job description
Agency Department of Children and Families Work unit Regional Services, Greater Darwin Region
Job title Aboriginal Community Worker Designation Administrative Officer 4
Job type Full Time Duration Ongoing

Fixed up to 12 months
Salary $79,664 - $90,824 Location Darwin, Palmerston
Position number 29963 RTF 360044 Closing 10/11/2026
Contact officer DCF Recruitment on 08 8999 4789 or [e-mail]
About the agency https://families.nt.gov.au/

Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.
This position is only available to Aboriginal applicants. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the OCPE website.

Primary objective

Provide cultural support services to children, young people and their families aimed at reducing the risk of harm to children, in accordance with departmental policies and procedures and the Care and Protection of Children Act.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Under professional coaching, assist and participate in delivery of services including child safety, family support, case management and carer recruitment, assessment, support and training.
• Provide cultural advice to non-Aboriginal staff and act as a cultural broker in Departmental interactions with Aboriginal clients.
• Act in an advocacy and brokerage role to enhance networking relationships and maintain open communications within and between the Department’s programs, other agencies and services, and Aboriginal communities.
• Ability to participate and assist to the service development of out of home care services.
• Ensure the availability of reliable data through the accurate and timely recording of information on the Department’s client information and case management systems.
• Participate in the After-Hours Service and assist in delivering the Department’s statutory welfare group responses in accordance with the Emergency Management Act.

Selection criteria

Essential

• Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Certificate IV in Community Services, or equivalent, or the ability to obtain.
• Experience living within the framework of Aboriginal and Islander cultural values and lifestyles and representing Aboriginal perspectives, in addition to a demonstrated knowledge of cultural issues, including social, economic and political issues, affecting the delivery of welfare services to Aboriginal people.
• Demonstrated experience working with children, young people and their families in a statutory setting including knowledge and understanding of the kinship system as it applies to the location of this position.
• Ability to undertake work in the community services industry and demonstrated ability to communicate and engage appropriately with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including preparation of reports and written correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver culturally appropriate services, which strengthen community capacity so that families reduce dependence on external agencies.
• Preparedness to travel by 4WD/light plane and stay overnight in remote communities where applicable.
• Computer skills or a willingness to learn and a willingness to undertake continuous development through Departmental training opportunities.
• A current Northern Territory drivers’ licence.

Further information

The recommended applicant will be required to hold a current Working with Children Clearance notice and undergo a criminal history check. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history.