Group Facilitator

ACSO; Ararat; On-site; AUD 18,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Salary packaging available

Paid parental leave

Flexible working arrangements

Annual leave loading 17.5%

Job summary

ACSO is seeking a part-time CSP Group Facilitator to engage Post Sentence Order participants in Correctional Residential facilities, helping them develop life skills and improve wellbeing. The role involves planning sessions, creating activities, and coordinating with facility management.

Experience in group facilitation and a Diploma in Social Work/Justice/psychology is preferred. Flexible working arrangements are available, with after-hours shifts and potential for career progression within

Qualifications

• Diploma level qualification in an area relevant to the program being overseen (Social Work, Justice, Psychology, Community Services and/or Welfare Studies).
• Competence in using PC-based office applications (e.g. Microsoft Office) and the internet
• Confidence in facilitating group programs and transferable skills in group facilitation.

Responsibilities

• Plan group sessions, ensuring a positive and productive environment for high-risk participants with complex needs.
• Develop new group activity initiatives and programs when specific interests or needs arise.
• Maintain administrative tasks such as group summaries.
• Collaborate with Correctional Residential facility management to identify and implement group activities for participants.
• Assist with recruitment of participants via information sessions and discussions with residents to generate interest in participation.
• Work an after-hours roster (2pm–8pm) and engage directly with residents in group activities.

Skills

Group facilitation

MS Office

Communication

Risk assessment

Adaptable

Education

Diploma level qualification in Social Work, Justice, Psychology, Community Services or Welfare Studies

Tools

MS Office

Job description

• Looking for a rewarding role with salary packaging available (that means you keep more of your money- our employees save about $5,500 a year on average)?
• Passionate about supporting forensic clients with complex needs to develop life skills?
• Want to be part of a team dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive community, supporting people to successfully transition out of the justice system?

At ACSO, we look for people who believe in second chances, who share our values and are passionate about supporting forensic clients to re integrate back into the community. If this sounds like you, read on!

Have you been curious about working at ACSO but want more information before making a move? Or maybe you're hearing about us for the first time and would like to learn more about what we do?

Join us for our ACSO Virtual Information Night on Thursday 29 October 2026, 5.30 - 7.30pm and find out what it's like to work with a values-driven organisation creating real social impact! Free tickets available via Eventbrite.

What ACSO can offer you

• Part-time, 0.197 FTE (7.5 hours weekly) permanent position available
• Base salary of $92,298.96 - $97,140.16 FTE, pro rata to $18,216.90 - $19,172.40 per annum for 0.197 FTE. Hourly rate: $46.71 - $49.16, dependent on skills and experience
• 12% superannuation
• Salary packaging available- Our employees save about $5,500 a year on average
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%
• Flexible working arrangements - includes options for an accrued day off (ADO), compressed hours
• Paid parental leave (14 weeks accessible after six months of employment)
• An extra day of paid leave for Foundation Day - a special day off to express our gratitude for your dedication and contributions, as we commemorate the day ACSO was founded by Stan McCormack.
• Learning and development opportunities - In house training suite of client specific training including in Trauma Informed Practice, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), plus best practice training on all aspects of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
• Career progression opportunities - leadership development programs and coaching, opportunities for internal consultancy or secondments to other programs.
• Wellbeing initiatives such as free flu vaccines, professional development vouchers, Employee Assistance Program and Reward and Recognition Program. Our employees matter!
• Dedicated inclusion and diversity initiatives to support employees from all backgrounds and dispositions, including specialised leave for cultural ceremonies or gender affirmation

About Us

The Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) is a vibrant, values driven NFP, focused on partnering with Government and the community to co-design services that create real social change. We are an organisation with a bold vision to create a safe and inclusive community where prison truly is the last resort. Our purpose is to strengthen the wellbeing of our communities by advocating for and delivering services which divert people away from the justice system.

The Australian Community Support Organisation recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias. ACSO is committed to the equitable treatment of its participants, employees and partners. We believe in humanity and celebrating the diverse voices of our community through leadership, practice and policy design, to honour and embrace diverse traditions, cultures and experiences of those we support and work alongside.

We work across Victoria, New South Wales , Western Australia and Queensland.

About the role

The primary role of the Community Support Program (CSP) Group Facilitator is to engage Post Sentence Order participants residing within the Correctional Residential facilities in a range of activities and programs designed to assist them in the development of skills, including those relevant to independent living and improved general wellbeing and relationships.

Key tasks will include:

• Planning group sessions, ensuring a positive and productive environment, for high risk participants presenting with complex needs.
• Developing new group activity initiatives and programs where specific interests or needs arise.
• Maintaining associated administration tasks such as group summaries.
• Collaborating with Correctional Residential facility management to identify and implement group activities targeted to specific interests and needs of the participants.
• Assisting with the recruitment of participants through the delivery of information sessions and discussions with residents to generate interest in participation.
• Working an after-hours roster (i.e. 2pm to 8pm) and engaging directly with residents enrolled in the group activities.

This role currently occurs on Wednesdays, between the hours of 1pm-9pm or 12pm-8pm to be conducive with group facilitation.

What we're looking for

If you are passionate about supporting people and hold the minimum qualifications or relevant professional experience, we encourage you to apply! We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets.

• Minimum Diploma level qualification in an area relevant to the program being overseen (Social Work, Justice, Psychology, Community Services and/or Welfare Studies).
• Competence in using PC-based office applications (e.g. Microsoft Office) and the internet
• Confidence in facilitating group programs- let us know your pre-existing skills in group facilitation or what transferable skills you have that suit group facilitation.
• Ability to build positive relationships and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities, including utilisation of strong negotiation, advocacy, conflict resolution and mediation skills - please tell us a time where you've used these skills with external stakeholders or clients.
• Demonstrated capacity to work flexibly, both autonomously and in a team, manage competing priorities, and effectively set boundaries and limits where required - share with us an example of how you've managed this.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals presenting with complex needs, behaviours and circumstances, including sound understanding of risk management and risk assessment - share with us an example of how you've managed this.

Desired but not essential

• Qualifications or experience in Group Facilitation.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals who have current or historical involvement with the criminal justice system.

As ACSO is an NDIS provider, the successful candidate must hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check Clearance before they commence employment in this position.

To learn more about this position, please contact Robert Williams- Team Leader on 0499 501 ***.

Applications may close early if a suitable candidate is found sooner, so we recommend applying early!

ACSO proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia's first peoples and pay respect to their rich culture, lores, customs and elders past and present. We strongly embrace the spirit of reconciliation and continue working towards ensuring an equal voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, particularly those who have been touched by the justice system.

ACSO recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias and aims to provide a safe working environment, one which seeks to protect those affected by domestic and family violence and holds those who may use domestic and family violence to account, whilst supporting positive behaviour change.

ACSO embraces diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from appropriately qualified and skilled people regardless of their background. All suitable applicants for this role will be considered regardless of age, ability, race, gender expression, sex, cultural background, spiritual beliefs or lived experience.