Diversion Officer, section 50(d), Fitzroy Crossing

• Fixed Term contract 12 months 
• Salary commensurate with experience $63,962 to $75,818 pa plus superannuation 
• Attractive employee benefits including salary packaging
• Generous leave provisions of 5 weeks annual leave plus leave loading
• Access to District allowance and other allowances as eligible
• 2 weeks additional paid leave for end of year closure
• Access to additional paid leave for health and well-being

Aboriginality is a genuine qualification required for this position (section 50d of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1984).

The Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Limited (ALSWA) is funded by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services via the WA Department of Justice to deliver a Youth Engagement Program (YEP) in Fitzroy Crossing. ALSWA currently operates a Youth Engagement Program in Perth, in Broome/Derby, Kununurra and Halls Creek. 

YEP Fitzroy Crossing will employ one Aboriginal Diversion Officer to work alongside an ALSWA Aboriginal court officer in Fitzroy Crossing. Together these two staff members will provide support to people living or staying in Fitzroy Crossing who were impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie and resulting flooding in December 2022 and January 2023. 

The Aboriginal court officer will provide legal assistance (including court representation in Fitzroy Crossing Magistrates Court and Fitzroy Crossing Children’s Court) to eligible clients and the YEP Aboriginal Diversion Officer will provide non-legal support to eligible clients who are under 18 years. 

The Diversion OfficerFitzroy Crossing will provide culturally competent, holistic, individualised and flexible support to young people to assist them to comply with the requirements of their bail and other court orders. More broadly, the program aims to reduce offending and improve young people’s wellbeing and future prospects. The Diversion Officer will provide support to eligible clients through case management, mentoring, court support, advocacy, referrals to external programs and services, and practical assistance. This includes support to young people to re-engage in education and participate in therapeutic programs. The Diversion officer will also be required to work collaboratively with Youth Justice and other local agencies and work closely with other YEP staff in the Kimberley.

You will be required to attend the Fitzroy Crossing Children’s Court, conduct appointments via phone/skype with clients in Banksia Hill Detention Centre, conduct home visits to clients on a regular basis (including visits to remote communities). In addition, you will provide support to clients with transport to court and to attend appointments. Further, you will refer clients to appropriate programs in the community and provide ongoing mentoring to ensure that the young people engage in programs and comply with their court requirements. You will liaise with key stakeholders including Youth Justice Services, perform administrative duties and other duties as directed.

This position requires responsible people who are compassionate and self-motivated with well-developed interpersonal skills and personal integrity. 

Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, society and the issues affecting Aboriginal people is required.

To be considered for this role, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience working in a similar field/role.
• High level communication skills (interpersonal, written and verbal) with experience in conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people, in particular, Aboriginal young people and to work with Aboriginal people with an appropriate level of cultural understanding, empathy and sensitivity. 
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team comprising legal and non-legal staff with a willingness to learn and share knowledge with others.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve. 
• Demonstrated high level organisational and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to travel when required. 
• Ability to confidently use workplace technology (including databases). 
• Hold a current WA drivers’ licence.
• Ability to obtain a Working with Children Check and Department of Justice Clearance. 

Other desirable skills and experience include: 

• A sound knowledge of issues relating to the involvement of Aboriginal children in the youth justice system and a general understanding of the youth justice and/or legal system, including some knowledge of court procedure and court etiquette. 
• A sound understanding of the issues affecting the Aboriginal community, in particular in the Kimberley. 
• Knowledge of organisations within the community that can assist with meeting the objectives of YEP. 
• Qualifications in Social Work or similar fields and/or three years’ experience working in community support services. 

This position also attracts District Allowance, and if eligible Rent Assistance and Air Conditioning Allowance.

We have a friendly, caring and diverse work environment. We offer attractive employment benefits including salary packaging (making part of your salary tax-free), free counselling services to employees and immediate family through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development. 

We also provide 5 weeks annual leave per year plus leave loading, 2 weeks additional paid leave for end of year closure, and access to additional paid leave for health and well-being.

ALSWA is a not-for-profit independent government funded organisation working to provide high quality legal representation, supports and assistance to the Aboriginal community in WA. 

ALSWA has 11 offices across regional WA and provides legal assistance in criminal, civil, human rights and family law, engages in law and policy reform and community legal education activities and provides services which support clients in the areas of youth diversion, bail support, unpaid fines and the Custody Notification Service.

We live our values of caring, sharing and respect.

To submit your application, please click the 'Apply' button or send your application to ***********@als.org.au. Your application must include a cover letter outlining what strengths you could bring to the role and your resume. Selection criteria is not required. 

To discuss this opportunity please contact Human Resources on (08) 9265 66***or ***********@als.org.au. We treat all applications in confidence.

         APPLICATIONS CLOSE:  Monday 4 March 2024

For full position details, roles and responsibilities please visit the employment section of www.als.org.au/employment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are seeking to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the differing needs of our clients and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees. ALSWA strongly encourages applications from Indigenous Australians. We also encourage applications from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. We provide an environment that values diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential.