Faith and Culture Coordinator

The-Geo-Group-Australia; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Role diversity

Career progression

Flexible work

Free parking

Employee Assistance Program

Staff gym

Subsidised meals

Fitness Passport

REACH Program

Private health discount

VCEA

Job summary

The GEO Group Australia seeks a Faith and Culture Coordinator at Ravenhall Correctional Centre to lead faith and cultural services, supervise the Cultural Advisor, and coordinate contracted chaplains. You will deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive programs and build cross-faith engagement to support prisoners pre- and post-release.

This role requires experience in pastoral or cultural services, strong stakeholder skills, and a commitment to improving outcomes within a correctional

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and respect for cultural and religious beliefs.
• Experience coordinating or managing pastoral, faith-based or cultural services.
• Ability to lead, plan and coordinate programs and events in an institutional setting.
• Ability to integrate cultural experiences into prisoners’ daily lives.
• Commitment to innovation in cultural education and program delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead Ravenhall’s faith and culture services and supervise the Cultural Advisor.
• Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive services.
• Coordinate spiritual, religious and cultural services and celebrations.
• Participate in Ravenhall’s event committee and provide cultural input.
• Ensure equitable access to religious practice for culturally diverse prisoners.
• Link prisoners with community faith supports for post-release continuity of care.
• Chair meetings and coordinate service reviews with stakeholders.
• Communicate cultural activities to staff and prisoners.
• Provide faith and culture advice, training and supervision.

Skills

Cultural issues

Pastoral management

Program leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Corrections environment

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Innovation

Record keeping

Staff mentoring

Education

Tertiary theological studies or equivalent experience

Job description

Inspire positive change by leading faith and cultural services that support rehabilitation and personal growth.

Shape meaningful experiences that strengthen identity, belonging and pathways to a successful future.

Salary Range $110,290 - $114,150 Base + Superannuation

At Ravenhall Correctional Centre, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services is creating exciting new opportunities for people who want their work to make a real difference.

Our redesigned services brings specialist expertise closer to the frontline, strengthens support from custody to community and creates clearer pathways for professional growth. It is more connected, more responsive and built to achieve stronger outcomes for people with diverse and complex needs.

Bring your expertise, ideas and commitment to change. Join a collaborative evidence-based team shaping the future of rehabilitation and reintegration at Ravenhall Correctional Centre where your work changes lives, strengthens communities and makes a difference every single day.

About The GEO Group Australia

We are the country's leading provider of outsourced correctional services, operating in VIC. GEO aims to deliver better corrections and create safer communities. We focus on providing a continuum of care and integration of services to make a real difference in the lives of people we work with. Our company is defined by us always acting withIntegrity, showing everyoneRespectwithout fail, beingAccountableat all times, always beingAgileand continuously looking for opportunities to beInnovative. For more information about our organisation visit our website www.geogroup.com.au

About Ravenhall Correctional Centre

Ravenhall is a 1,300-bed medium-security prison for adult sentenced and remand men. Its contemporary campus-style design reflects four accommodation communities with varying profiles. Community accommodation is complemented by a further 75-bed Forensic Mental Health Unit, a 25-bed unit for prisoners with significant challenging behaviours, and a 25-bed Mission Unit designed to respond intensively and therapeutically to current community issues.

In recognition of the importance of the Continuum of Care, Ravenhall extends its presence into the community by providing ex-prisoners with access to post-release support at GEO’s Community Reintegration Centre.

Ravenhall’s emphasis on offender rehabilitation and reintegration is supported by a significantly resourced team of clinicians who work in partnership with a number of Victoria’s most respected organisations, including Forensicare, YMCA and Kangan Institute. Working collaboratively, Ravenhall seeks to bring about lasting positive change in the lives of prisoners before and after release, with the ultimate aim of reducing reoffending.

About The Opportunity

The Faith and Culture Coordinator facilitates a range of programs and services that meet prisoners’ cultural, spiritual and religious needs pre and post release. The role strengthens prisoners’ connection to faith and culture while in custody, supporting positive community reconnection and reintegration.

The Coordinator plans religious and cultural services and festivals, delivers initiatives that build cross-faith and cross-cultural awareness, and partners with visiting chaplains, service providers and external agencies to improve access to support. The role provides informed, respectful leadership on cultural and religious matters, directly manages the Cultural Advisor, and oversees contracts with visiting chaplains.

As the Faith and Culture Coordinator you will:

• Lead Ravenhall’s faith and culture services, directly supervise the Cultural Advisor and oversee cultural and religious contractors.
• Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive services consistent with organisational policy, contractual requirements and relevant standards.
• Coordinate spiritual, religious and cultural services, programs and celebrations in line with the Corrections Victoria Multi-faith Calendar and Ravenhall Calendar of Events.
• Participate as a core member in Ravenhall’s event committee and provide input on cultural considerations and upcoming events.
• Ensure prisoners have equitable access to religious practice and culturally responsive support, including ensuring prisoners from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are supported during the induction and orientation process.
• Support visiting chaplains, clergy and faith representatives, including communicating prisoner referrals.
• Link prisoners with community faith and cultural supports for post-release continuity of care.
• Chair meetings and coordinate service reviews with internal and external stakeholders
• Communicate cultural and religious activities clearly and regularly to staff and prisoners.
• Provide faith and culture advice, consultation and training.
• Monitor correctional standards and policies on dietary and spiritual needs and ensure responsiveness to changes.
• Engage local faith and cultural service providers to address emerging issues and service needs.
• Conduct supervision, performance reviews and team meetings, and maintain accurate service data and records.
• Provide monthly and other reports as required to the Family and Community Connections Manager.

Your Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated significant knowledge of, and respect for, cultural issues and religious beliefs.
• Experience coordinating or managing pastoral, faith-based or cultural services.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, plan and coordinate programs, activities and cultural celebrations, preferably in an institutional setting.
• Ability to integrate cultural and faith-based experiences into prisoners’ daily lives.
• Flexibility, cooperation and sensitivity when working with prisoners in a correctional environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders and contracted agencies.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving and solution-focused skills.
• Commitment to innovation in cultural education and program delivery.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, reports, attendance data and other documentation in line with departmental requirements and GEO policy.
• Experience supporting, supervising and mentoring staff.Ability to represent the organisation at stakeholder and Corrections Victoria meetings.
• Relevant tertiary theological studies or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with mandated or forensic clients or people with mental illness.

About the Benefits

Joining GEO is your chance to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of prisoners, their families and the community. Benefits of working for GEO, include but are not limited to:

• Role diversity and internal career progression opportunities
• Support with Professional Registration costs
• Flexible working arrangements
• Competitive salary and rewards scheme
• Free parking
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff gym
• Subsidised meals
• Fitness Passport to promote wellbeing. Discounted gym and pool access for members and their families to over 1500 fitness facilities across Australia.
• REACH Program
• Discounted Private Health Insurance (Medibank Private)
• VCEA (Victorian Correctional Employees Association)

We are always looking for people to join our company who share the values that we stand for:

INTEGRITY RESPECT ACCOUNTABLE AGILE INNOVATIVE

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are highly encouraged to apply

Applications close at 11:59pm, Friday 6th November 2026 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The GEO Group reserves the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date; therefore, early applications are encouraged.

Please note: Only permanent Australian residents, Australian citizens or candidates with unrestricted visas and the right to work in Australia are eligible to apply for these positions.