Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Worker

• Permanent Full Time |38 Hours per week
• $94,472 per annum plus Super + Not for Profit Salary Packaging
• Locations: Orange NSW 2800 or Dubbo NSW 2830
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all.

Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your opportunity

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in your community?

We’re looking for a passionate and community-connected individual to join our Suicide Prevention and Recovery Program as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Worker.

The Way Back Program is a non-clinical support service focused on providing rapid, practical psychosocial support to people experiencing a suicidal crisis or who have attempted suicide.

As the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Worker you’ll be instrumental in weaving connections.  Your role is pivotal in nurturing an environment that provides cultural awareness and supports relationships with identified stakeholders. The role is responsible for documenting strategy, building local engagement with a range of stakeholders and

community by effective collaboration, developing place-based action efforts, and at times, leading meetings across the community.

This position will require travel across Western NSW and will need flexibility in working hours to accommodate community schedules and events.

Join us in creating and continuing collaboration, where cultural richness and mutual respect flourish. We look forward to hearing from you please reach out if you would like more information about this unique opportunity.

This is an identified position under section 14(D) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and all applicants must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians. Being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational qualification

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Provide support to the team, to implement the service as informed by consultation with key stakeholders within relevant regional and remote communities.
• Work with all relevant partners to develop an action plan that supports the program framework and guides ongoing implementation.
• Create and leverage the necessary partnerships, relationships, and community-based support with relevant stakeholders in the local community.
• Ensure effective meeting facilitation for teams and committees
• Provide culturally sensitive and informed support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking support through the service and surrounding areas of the Local Government Area.
• Provide cultural input in supporting staff in the development of support plans with residents and community to meet immediate and long-term needs
• Conduct community consultations and gather feedback for continuous improvement and
• development of the program.
• Collaborate on community events and activities with key partner agencies to meet the program's aims and objectives
• Hold, maintain and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders, ie. ACCHO’s, AMS’s  and other NGO’s
• Contribute the effective implementation of Mission Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) at a local level
• Identify service gaps and support Mission Australia to advocate for culturally inclusive solutions best placed to work in partnership to meet the needs of the community.

Requirements for Success:

• This is an identified position. Must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW).
• Tertiary qualification in Community Development, Community Services, or similar relevant qualification in a related discipline and/or relevant work experience.
• A sound understanding of mental health and suicidality, mental health systems and recoveryoriented practice, as well as psycho-social rehabilitation
• Demonstrated knowledge and culturally appropriate practices of working with Elders, ACCHO’s, AMS’s and other Aboriginal organisations.
• Experience in community consultation, facilitation, partnership development, and project management
• Ability to build trust and relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and engage in culturally appropriate ways
• Demonstrated ability to provide information and educational activities to a range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrate high level of written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Current Drivers Licence and willingness to travel across Western NSW.
• Current First Aid and CPR Certificate

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Your benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)  Permanent positions only
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities 
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave.  Permanent positions only
• Extra leave including: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

Our culture  

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.  

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [email protected] or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at [email protected]  

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia. 

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you