Family Services Reform Worker

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation; Echuca; On-site; AUD 99,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous salary packaging benefits

Victorian Ambulance Membership

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is seeking a Family Services Reform Worker to deliver essential functions within our Families, Healing and Support Services team. This role connects Aboriginal families to vital programs and facilitates culturally grounded conferences, ensuring families are at the heart of decision-making.

The position requires strong collaboration with various services, cultural awareness, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 4 years' experience in a coordinator role or similar.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal families in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Knowledge of Family Group Conferencing principles and methodology.
• Ability to maintain clear functional separation between the coordination and facilitation roles.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Aboriginal Restoring Families referrals and prioritize families.
• Plan and facilitate Aboriginal Family Group Conferences.
• Support implementation of family plans after conferences.
• Maintain accurate records in required systems.

Skills

Cultural awareness

Program coordination

Family violence knowledge

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Time management

Education

Degree or Diploma in Social Work

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Data systems

Job description

Support Families. Lead Reform. Keep Decision-Making in Community Hands.

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is seeking a Family Services Reform Worker to deliver the Aboriginal Restoring Families Coordination and Aboriginal Family Group Conferencing functions within our Families, Healing and Support Services team. This dual-function role connects Aboriginal families across the Echuca/Moama region to the right programs and facilitates culturally grounded, family-led conferences that place families at the centre of decision‑making.

You'll work closely with DFFH, the area-based Restoring Families Coordinator, the Orange Door, Child Protection, Youth Justice and community services to strengthen system-wide responses for Aboriginal families.

Act as Njernda's central contact point for Restoring Families referrals, triaging and prioritising Aboriginal families in a culturally informed way

Participate in area-based prioritisation and allocation activities alongside the RFC, Alliance facilitator, Child Protection navigators and Youth Justice contacts

Plan, prepare and facilitate culturally grounded Aboriginal Family Group Conferences, including pre-conference engagement with extended family, kin and professionals

Support implementation and monitoring of family plans following conference

Build capacity across Njernda's workforce to identify families suitable for conferencing and support family readiness

Maintain accurate, compliant records in IRIS, CSNet and SAMS, and contribute data to quarterly reporting

Engage with Njernda's cultural governance structures, including the Elders Advisory Group

At Njernda Aboriginal Corporation you'll be part of a values-driven, community-controlled organisation, guided by our values of Respect, Accountability, Resilience, Advocacy and Cultural Sensitivity.

$99,000 annual salary (SCHADS Level 5, Pay Point 1) + super

Generous salary packaging benefits (not-for-profit)

Victorian Ambulance Membership reimbursement (for you and your family)

Supportive team environment and access to supervision

Genuine work–life balance and the benefits of a regional lifestyle

To be considered, your application must include a separate document responding to each of the numbered criteria below.

A Degree or Diploma in Social Work, Community Services or a related discipline, plus relevant specialist family violence qualifications and/or lived experience/knowledge

A minimum of 4 years' experience in a coordinator role or similar

Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal families and communities in a culturally appropriate, trauma‑aware and strengths‑based manner, including an understanding of cultural governance structures and the needs of Aboriginal families in the Echuca/Moama region

Demonstrated experience in program coordination, service triage and area‑based collaboration within a multi‑agency environment

Demonstrated experience in facilitating or co‑facilitating family group conferences, or willingness to complete FGC facilitation training prior to service commencement

Knowledge or experience of Family Group Conferencing principles and methodology, including conference phases, mandatory private family time requirements and post‑conference plan support

Ability to maintain clear functional separation between the coordination and facilitation roles, preserving family authority and conferencing integrity

Thorough understanding of family violence systems, legislation and risk management frameworks, including MARAM, FVISS, CISS and Aboriginal‑specific practice responses

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear case notes, quarterly reports and data submissions, and strong knowledge or experience of DFFH reporting and accountability systems

Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across dual functions

Good negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative partnerships with external parties

Well‑developed computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and case management/data systems

Desirable: Experience working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and in rural Victoria.

Current and valid Victorian Working with Children Check

National Police Check

Current and valid full Victorian Driver's Licence

Eligibility to work in Australia

Vaccination status disclosure and negative alcohol and drug screening, in line with Njernda policy

Please note: late applications, and applications that do not address the 'Selection Criteria', will not be considered.