• Be part of the development of a high-impact specialist service supporting Victorians in mortgage stress
• Join a cohesive team of innovative and experienced lawyers, social workers and financial counsellors
• Work in a best-practice environment where staff development and opportunities are prioritised
• Use your skills and experience to prevent homelessness and housing insecurity for thousands of Victorian families

The Organisation

WEstjustice is a leading community legal centre providing free services to vulnerable and disadvantaged people. From our offices in Footscray, Werribee and Sunshine and through our outreach services we provide advice, representation, and education on a broad range of issues including employment, discrimination, consumer disputes, tenancy, credit and debt, family disputes, family violence, criminal law, infringements, children’s law and more.

WEstjustice believes in a just and fair society where the law and its processes do not discriminate against people experiencing vulnerability. We provide free legal education, undertake law reform activities and work in partnership with their local communities to deliver projects that improve access to justice.

Our purpose is to service the legal needs in the West in a way that addresses the systemic nature of disadvantage.

Mortgage Stress Victoria

Over 5 years, WEstjustice has successfully operated a multidisciplinary service, providing intensive legal, financial counselling and social worker support to people in Melbourne’s west experiencing mortgage stress. We recently received funding to expand this small, high-impact service into a state-wide organisation.

Mortgage stress and household debt is at concerning, record-high levels across Victoria, and we are facing uncertain economic times. We have an incredibly important role in developing a service that can offer effective support to Victorians in mortgage stress and scale our impact on the complex drivers and consequences of mortgage stress.

This is an exciting time to join Mortgage Stress Victoria. Be part of the team that builds a high-impact organisation delivering best practice services and working on systemic reform of a complex, widespread issue. Everyone in our small cohesive team will have exposure and input into strategy, service design, impact evaluation and complex service delivery.

Benefits & Culture

• Competitive salary with salary packaging
• Up to 5 hours study leave per week
• Flexible working conditions
• Passionate, professional and dedicated team
• Focus on career development
• Werribee-based location
• Part time or full time option

The Role

Reporting to the Program Manager – Social Work, Mortgage Stress Victoria, you will contribute with the expansion of our Mortgage Wellbeing Service from its western suburbs’ catchment into a Victorian state-wide multidisciplinary service. You will have a caseload and provide case management to clients with varying complexities and vulnerabilities. You will contribute to an integrated and collaborative client-focussed service and utilise best practice principles to support positive client outcomes.

In its first year, the Mortgage Stress Victoria Team will be based at WEstjustice’s Werribee office (travel to outreach and stakeholder locations will also likely be required). You will provide social work services to a range of clients experiencing mortgage stress.

In addition to direct client case management, you will contribute with the team’s social and health-related reform agenda to promote systemic change and improve accessibility, laws and processes for people experiencing mortgage stress. You will also provide community education sessions and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders that includes support services, partners, industry, government and potential funders.

Working with the Mortgage Stress Victoria Team, you will collaborate and contribute to the wider WEstjustice and Mortgage Stress Victoria organisational strategies to ensure best practice, accountability, and impact.

We are therefore looking for a person who is ready to support WEstjustice reform, change and, at times, disrupt the current systems to create better life outcomes for our communities in the West and greater Victoria.

Skills Required

You will be qualified in social work and be eligible for or hold membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Your background may come from private or public health or community services.

You will also have:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in complex case management and supporting vulnerable individuals and communities.
• Ability to engage and communicate with people experiencing vulnerability, support services, government, and industry bodies.
• Demonstrated the ability to work independently as well as part of a small team collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, both under the direction of Senior Management. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information in a practical, accurate and understandable manner to potentially challenging clients in stressful and emotionally charged situations.
• Organisational, time management and planning skills including the ability to prioritise tasks and to manage competing demands under pressure.
• Ability to maintain confidential and accurate records.
• Intermediate computer literacy skills including familiarity with databases, client management software, and Microsoft 365.
• Ability to adapt to change, working in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
• Understanding of and commitment to WEstjustice’s Vision, Purpose, Strategic Plan and Impact Areas

If you have any queries about the role, contact Matthew on (03) 9749 7720.

A position description is attached.

The successful applicant will require a current Working with Children’s Check and a Police Check or be prepared to apply for both. Applicants must possess the right to work in Australia.