Centacare New England North West

JOB DESCRIPTION: Aboriginal Engagement Officer

Reports to: / Aboriginal Engagement Officer
Location: / Tamworth
Employment status: / Permanent Part Time
Award: / Social, Communication, Home Care and Disability Award 2010
Level 3

Primary Position Purpose

The Aboriginal Engagement Officer is responsible for supporting and consulting with Aboriginal communities and organisations, identifying, establishing and evaluating a culturally appropriate service model for Aboriginal communities and forensuring that all staff within the Family Support Services are culturally competent and to ensure that all staff employ case practices which are appropriate for culturally diverse families.

Area of Key Responsibilities

The Aboriginal Engagement Officers key responsibilities are to:

Provide support to Aboriginal people/families requesting assistance from the Family Support Programs such as mediation and education according to the Policies and Procedures of the Organisation
Provide assistance in the delivery of mediation and or education for Aboriginal people/families
Assist in the development of innovative and effective approaches to delivering Family Support services to Indigenous families.
Conduct community education to Indigenous communities about Family Support Services.
Liaise and form linkages with Indigenous communities and organisations servicing those communities.
Coordinate arrangements for service delivery and engage and consult with communities and service providers to improve access to Family Support Services
Promote Family Support Services and wider Organisational programs at Aboriginal events
Keep informed of changes and development.
Provide cultural advice and training to Family Support Staff and the wider Organisation and assist in the selection and preparation of culturally appropriate materials for the client resource area
Establish environments, including outreach sites that are welcoming to Indigenous families.
Promote strong internal and external referral pathways for Aboriginal people/families
To provide regular and frequent feedback and reports to the Family Support Program Manager
To work cooperatively and in conjunction with the Family Support Staff, programs and services.
Contribute to the planning and provision of community education and support in accordance with Family Support program requirements.
Participate in a range of meetings including Aboriginal specific meetings to represent the Family Support programs and the broader Organisation.
Actively participate in the process of professional supervision.
Maintain appropriate files, records and complete other required documentation within Family Support program policy and procedures.
Be available to travel and provide services to other centres.
Out of hours work and travel may be required.
Carry out any other duties as directed by the Family Support Program Managerand/or Family Services Manager

Key Competencies

Mandatory

The ability to accept responsibility for specified tasks and be accountable
The ability to adapt and change to meet the changing needs of the Family Support Programs
The ability to establish rapport with people from a variety of age groups, backgrounds and culture.
Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation including the Family Law Act (1975) and the Children and Young Persons (care and protection) Act (1998).

Planning and Organisation

Ability to prioritise to achieve the objectives of the Family Support Programs and Centacare NENW program objectives
Ability to manage time efficiently and meet set deadlines

Communication/Presentation Skills

Ability to communicate effective in both written and verbal form across a diverse community

People Management

The ability to work with limited supervision
The ability to work with adults in conflict.
Develop and maintain close working relationships with relevant service providers and stakeholders in communities within the Family Support Program catchment.
Work collaboratively with other Program members
Participate in regular Program meetings
The ability to work with and develop a relationship with fellow staff members

Administration Management

Complete all required documents
Enter required data in specified spreadsheets on computer system or in hard copies
A willingness to participate in professional development in order to enhance skills and knowledge.
The ability to follow processes and systems to maintain accurate records.

Work, Health & Safety

As per the Work, Health & Safety Act 2011 a worker must, while at work

take reasonable care for their own health and safety
take reasonable care for the health and safety of others
comply with any reasonable instruction by the PCBU
co-operate with any reasonable policies and procedures of the PCBU.

The term ‘worker’ includes any person who works as an: employee, trainee, volunteer, outworker, apprentice, work experience student, contractor or sub contractor, employees of a contractor or sub contractor, employee of a labour hire company assigned to work for a PCBU.

Risk Management

Centacare NENW is committed to the adoption and implementation set out in the Australian/New Zealand Standards on Risk Management (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009).

All employees are required to be responsible and accountable for managing risk in so far as is reasonably practicable within their area of responsibility.

Legislation

Legislations applicable to this position but not limited to are:

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) in performing the obligations outlined in the grant agreement
The Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) in regards to undertaking the Activity
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Commonwealth) (FOI Act)
The Family Law Act 1975 (Family Law Act)
The Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006
The Family Law (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners) Regulations 2008
The Marriage Act 1961
Age Discrimination Act 2004
Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Racial Discrimination Act 1975, and
Sex Discrimination Act 1984.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications and Experience

Degree of Diploma in Community Services or equivalent qualification, or extensive experience working with Aboriginal people/families.
Demonstrated ability to build and utilise an extensive network of services to support Aboriginal people/families.
A satisfactory Working with Children Check and/or National Criminal History Record check whichever is applicable.
Experience in maintaining records to meet organisational and legislative requirements.
Current NSW Driver’s licence and ability to travel as part of the job.

Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrated community development skills and experience, including culturally appropriate community consultation.
Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and evaluate programs and services.

Personal Attributes

Highly developed communication skills, both written and verbal for working with a broad based network of service providers and a culturally diverse clientele.
Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including knowledge and understanding of the issues that impact on both cultures in contemporary society.
Ability to contribute to a positive team environment, within an organisational culture when teamwork, cooperation, client service, quality, safety and confidentiality are the focus.

Work Plans

All Centacare NENW staff is required to partake annually in implementing an individual work plan to assist in meeting the requirements of their Job Description and program business plan. The Chief Executive Officer will oversee all work plans.

Verification

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above Position Description.

Name of
Aboriginal Engagement Officer / Signature of
Aboriginal Engagement Officer / Date
Fergus Fitzsimons
Name of CEO / Signature CEO / Date
/ Job Description: Aboriginal Engagement Officer Reviewed: 8th September 2015 | Page 1 of 4
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