ABOUT US

Waltja is a community based organisation that works with families from Central Desert indigenous communities to address major issues affecting their communities. Waltja’s work focuses on addressing the many gaps in service delivery for children, youth, elders and people with disabilities in the remote communities of Central Australia.

THE WALTJA WAY

Our board of directors are all indigenous women leaders from remote communities and they steer the organisation’s direction according to a set of indigenous principles they have named ‘The Waltja Way’.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

This position supports the delivery of Waltja’s Children and Families Intensive Support Program on remote central Australian communities. The communities are Laramba, Atitjere, Engawala, TiTree, Utopia Homelands, and Bonya, with the potential for support to also be provided to other communities in this region. The Community Development workers will be part of a team, under the supervision of a Team leader and Waltja program manager, and with the guidance of Waltja Directors.

The Children and Families Intensive Support program will promote the personal, social and educational development of children and young people, assist Aboriginal families to support children and youth at risk, and assist children/youth and their families to engage positively with appropriate services. The program team will include local Aboriginal people who facilitate the engagement of community members. All team members must be committed to the self determination of Aboriginal people, and to a strengths-based approach to Aboriginal community development.

The community development worker – Youth and Families will be based in Alice Springs with regular travel to the designated communities (out of Alice Springs 2 to 5 days in a week, 3 weeks in every 5).

ACCOUNTABILITY:

The Community Development Field Worker will work in partnership with other CAFIS team members, and in collaboration with Waltja’s other youth, families and disability program teams.. The Community Development Field Worker will be accountable directly to their Team Leader and Program Manager. All staff are accountable to the CEO and Executive Directors for compliance with contractual requirements and Waltja policies and procedures.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide support to families consistent with the objectives and requirements of Waltja’s Children and Families Intensive Support programs. Support is to be based upon strengths based approach, the principles of self-determination, and respect for Aboriginal people, communities and culture.
2. Assist Aboriginal children/youth and their families to access other support, services and resources as required. Engage positively and collaboratively with other services to support them to provide appropriate and respectful services to Aboriginal people.
3. Assist Aboriginal families to actively engage in community and culture, and to generate culturally appropriate local strategies to address the problems of vulnerable and at-risk children and families.
4. Engage Aboriginal people from each community wherever possible as mentors, advisers, and co-workers to assist with Waltja’s service delivery, and support the skills development of community members related to the program objectives.
5. Work collaboratively with other local service providers, agencies and institutions, to support young people and families at risk, to provide referrals, and to plan events and activities consistent with Waltja’s program objectives.
6. Complete and provide appropriate and up-to-date documentation related to community visits, travel plans, data reporting, and client/community support provided or requested; ensure that all DEX reporting is complete and up-to-date by the end of each month.
7. Where appropriate assist in the preparation of submissions for external funding.
8. Work as part of Waltja’s team across all projects. Support and mentor junior staff where relevant. Participate in Waltja events and meetings as directed.
9. Represent Waltja at Conferences, Seminars, Meetings, and Committees and in other community forums.
10. Identify training and professional needs/opportunities, and undertake training as directed by Management Team
11. A commitment to comply with all Waltja Policy and Procedures and Code of Conduct.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

1. A commitment to Aboriginal self-determination, demonstrated ability to relate sensitively and effectively with Indigenous people and demonstrated WALTJA TJUTANGKU PALYAPAYI “Doing good work with families” 3 awareness of the issues affecting Aboriginal children/young people and their families in central Australia.
2. Previous experience in community development work, including community consultation, service delivery, performance and data reporting, and evaluation.
3. Qualifications in Social Work or Community Development, and the capacity to explain how the knowledge gained through this qualification relates to the requirements of this position.
4. Previous experience working successfully in a dynamic team environment and managing a diverse workload accordingly; proven experience of successful time management in a complex work environment.
5. Demonstrated capacity for strategic decision-making, and initiative to make appropriate decisions when required.
6. Current NT Drivers License or commitment to transfer current Drivers License to NT immediately upon appointment.
7. Current NT Working with Children and Vulnerable Persons (Ochre Card) authorisation, or the capacity to acquire this within 6 weeks of provisional appointment.
8. Willingness to undertake a Police Check (for criminal history) – required within 6 weeks of provisional appointment.

Desirable:

1. Experience working in or with remote central Australian Aboriginal communities.
2. Experience working with Aboriginal families to assist them to make positive change and/or to address barriers to self-determination
3. Functional knowledge and skill in a central Australian Aboriginal language.
4. Experience driving 4WD vehicles.

As per the NT Government's CHO directives and in line with Waltja Workplace COVID-19 Policy, all workers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

An Ochre Card (working with vulnerable people check), National Police Clearance, a driver's licence and Health examination are mandatory requirements for all employees employed at the Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi.

Salary package

• SCHADS Award Level 4 to 5 (depending upon qualifications): current range is $70,408 to $80,296.84 gross per annum plus superannuation
• Superannuation: 11.75%
• Travel: $70/night for remote travel
• Equipment: All digital/computer/phone equipment as needed, Swag supplied
• Annual leave: 4 weeks pro rata
• Personal Leave: 10 days pro rata
• Ceremonial Leave: Up to 8 weeks leave without pay
• Compassionate: 3 days paid leave, 3 weeks leave without pay for immediate family.
• Time in Lieu: Flexible working hours & time in lieu arrangements instead of overtime.

For more information contact Waltja Office on 08 8953 4488 or [email protected], using the subject line: Community Development Workers x3 - Children and Families Intensive Support - Alice Springs enquiry via EthicalJobs

*Salary Sacrifice is a benefit available to employees in the Community Services sector. It enables employees to reduce their taxable income, by having a proportion of their salary allocated to bills and basic living costs before tax is calculated. Under Legislation there is a capped limit on the amount you can salary package each fringe benefit tax year (1 April to 31 March). For employees who work for a Public Benevolent Institution the capped limit is $15,899.90 ($30,000 grossed up). There are a range of salary packaging options that apply and these should be discussed with Waltja finance team.

All applications will be treated confidentially and only those with the rights to work full time in Australia will be considered.

Waltja is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply. We also encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background to apply.