Cultural & Religious Advisor

Serco; Lavadia; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible salary packaging

Wellbeing initiatives

Career support programs

Employee Assistance Program

Fitness Passport

Job summary

Clarence Correctional Centre, within Serco's NSW team, seeks an Aboriginal Cultural & Spiritual Advisor to provide cultural and spiritual guidance to inmates and staff and coordinate culturally based activities and reintegration support.

Reporting to the Rehabilitation & Reintegration Manager, you will work with Elders and community organisations to ensure culturally appropriate programs and reporting within a secure, respectful environment.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Experience delivering services within a human services environment.
• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Understanding of culturally appropriate social welfare and support services.

Responsibilities

• Provide cultural and spiritual advice and support to inmates, staff and management.
• Coordinate cultural activities, celebrations and ceremonies within the Centre.
• Build relationships with recognised Elders, Aboriginal organisations and community service providers.
• Support inmates to access culturally appropriate rehabilitation, reintegration and post-release services.
• Ensure programs are culturally appropriate and responsive to individual needs.
• Facilitate visits from Aboriginal organisations and support groups.
• Maintain records and complete reporting within required timeframes.
• Contribute to a culturally safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Social Sciences or related discipline

Job description

Join a team of 12,000+ professionals across Asia Pacific and experience a place of challenge, opportunity and reward.

We offer a range of benefits to support you at every stage of your life and career, including:

• Flexible salary packaging options, including novated leasing for new and used vehicles
• Benefits@Serco, offering access to career support programs, wellbeing initiatives and financial benefits through Serco and our selected partners, including Fitness Passport
• Ongoing career development and training opportunities
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program for confidential wellbeing support

Make an impact at Serco

As the Aboriginal Cultural & Spiritual Advisor at Clarence Correctional Centre, you will provide cultural and spiritual guidance and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates.

Reporting to the Rehabilitation & Reintegration Manager, you will work closely with inmates, staff, recognised Elders and community organisations to coordinate culturally appropriate activities, services and reintegration support.

This role plays an important part in ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody remain connected to culture, community and appropriate support services.

As an Aboriginal Cultural & Spiritual Advisor, you will:

• Provide cultural and spiritual advice and support to inmates, staff and management
• Coordinate cultural activities, celebrations and ceremonies within the Centre
• Build and maintain strong relationships with recognised Elders, Aboriginal organisations and community service providers
• Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates to access culturally appropriate rehabilitation, reintegration and post-release services
• Ensure programs and interventions are culturally appropriate and responsive to individual needs
• Facilitate visits from Aboriginal organisations, including Aboriginal Legal Services
• Support the development of Aboriginal inmate peer and community support groups
• Provide advice on relevant cultural policies, legislation and contemporary issues
• Maintain accurate records and ensure reporting requirements are completed within required timeframes
• Contribute to a culturally safe, respectful and inclusive environment across the Centre

About you

You are approachable, respectful and passionate about supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You communicate confidently with people from different backgrounds and can build trusted relationships with inmates, colleagues, Elders and community organisations.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Social Sciences or a related discipline, relevant industry experience and/or active involvement in the Aboriginal community
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Experience delivering services within a human services environment
• An understanding of culturally appropriate social welfare and support services
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to engage effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• A recognised qualification in religious, spiritual or cultural affairs would be highly regarded
• A high level of personal integrity, professionalism and respect for confidentiality

This is an identified position. Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be accepted by the community in which they live or have lived.

About Clarence Correctional Centre

Clarence Correctional Centre is a state-of-the-art correctional facility located in Lavadia, approximately 12.5 kilometres south-east of Grafton in Northern New South Wales.

The 1,700-bed facility is the largest correctional centre in Australia and accommodates male and female inmates across minimum, medium and maximum-security classifications.

At Clarence, we aim to reduce reoffending and support successful reintegration by providing a safe, secure and respectful environment, together with access to education, employment, rehabilitation and culturally appropriate support.

Serco is a place for you. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures.

By joining Serco, you will have access to Employee Networks led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.