Is this you?

• Seeking a full-time role with flexibility to work from the office and home?

• Looking to be guided by an experienced and passionate leader who wants to help you grow and develop?

• Seeking to join a values based, supportive, and impactful organisation?

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!

What ACSO can offer you

• Full-time, fixed term position available until December 2026
• $90,402 base salary + 12% superannuation + NFP salary packaging options
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%
• Hybrid location - at minimum three days attendance to your local ACSO hub and two days working from home
• Flexible working arrangements - includes options for an accrued day off or compressed hours
• Learning and development opportunities - including access to in house training suite of client specific training including in Trauma Informed Practice, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and 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.

About the role

RAPIDS (Responsive Assessment Planning Intervention Diversion Service) is a state-wide intake, assessment and referral service that administers both state and commonwealth funded treatment pathways for clients in contact with, or at risk of coming in to contact with, the justice system. RAPIDS provide specialist assessments for clients being considered for, or placed on, community-based dispositions that include AOD assess and treat conditions. 

Assessments may occur in the community, prison or court. Forensic AOD assessors are responsible for assessing, writing high-quality clinical forensic assessment reports and developing realistic treatment plans for Justice clients across Victoria. 

About the program

Our Community Offender Advice and Treatment Service (COATS) program is a state-wide intake, assessment and referral service that administers both state and commonwealth funded treatment pathways for clients in contact with, or at risk of coming in to contact with, the justice system.

COATS provides specialist assessments for clients being considered for, or placed on, community corrections orders that include AOD assess and treat conditions.

Assessments either take place in community or in prison when a client is placed on parole. Our assessors also undertake assessments for the Adult Parole Board (looking at mandated post release treatment) and for the courts (for pre-sentencing purposes). Forensic AOD assessors are responsible for assessing, writing high-quality clinical forensic assessment reports and developing realistic treatment plans for Justice clients across Victoria.

What we're looking for

• Minimum of Certificate IV or diploma qualification in alcohol and other drugs (AOD)
• Minimum two years' prior experience in AOD working with complex clients
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills and conflict management skills
• The ability to gather information through assessment, and formulate findings and recommendations utilizing strong report writing skills
• Experience working with clients with forensic backgrounds, and the ability to work in various settings, including prison environments
• Eligibility to enter Victorian prisons
• An extensive background working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people will be highly regarded
• A background in mental health and/or forensic sector will be highly regarded

How to apply

If you think you'd be a great fit - we'd love to hear from you!

To apply and view the position description (PD), please click the "Apply Now" button to visit our careers website and provide a copy of your resume, a brief covering letter and a document outlining responses to the selection criteria found in the PD.

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 find out more about this position, please contact Program Manager- Kate Laverack on 0447 126 980.

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.