• Opportunity to make a difference in your local and surrounding communities
• Contract position up to 11 March 2022 – extension dependent on on-going funding
• 22.5 hours per week - Based in Blacktown or Campbelltown. Working days will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Salary range $84,854.12 - $88,693.80 (pro-rata) plus 10% super + Not For Profit salary packaging benefits

The salary for the position is based on Level 5 of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award.

ABOUT THE JUSTICE ADVOCACY SERVICE (JAS)

JAS is a free service that supports young people & adults with cognitive impairment to exercise their rights when in contact with the NSW criminal justice system. With the generous support of our Volunteers, JAS works with people with cognitive impairment arising from intellectual disability, borderline intellectual function, acquired brain injury, alcohol and drug-related brain injury (including foetal alcohol spectrum disorder), autism spectrum disorder, or dementia.

We walk alongside victims, witnesses, suspects & defendants in all stages of the criminal justice process.

As a Justice Advocate you will be supporting and assisting young people and adults with cognitive impairment when they are involved with the criminal justice system as victims, suspects/defendants or witnesses.

ABOUT IDRS

Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) operates a disability advocacy service and community legal centre. IDRS aims to ‘make rights real’ for people with intellectual and other cognitive impairments through a variety of legal and advocacy services. We strive to demonstrate our values of justice, respect and persistence in all our work.

Visit our website www.idrs.org.au for more information about IDRS.

Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage people living with a disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Justice Advocates coordinate, support and debrief local volunteers and Police Station Support Workers to provide a quality support and advocacy service to people with cognitive impairment when they are involved in the criminal justice system as victims, witnesses, suspects and/or defendants.

Justice Advocates also deliver support to people with cognitive impairment when a volunteer/police station support worker is unavailable or where a client’s needs require a more intensive level of support due to the nature of the offence(s) and/or the complexity of the client’s situation.

Justice Advocates focus on the specific needs and rights of their clients and support clients to assert their rights, challenge decisions and actions which restrict their opportunities and to obtain justice and equality in their daily lives.

EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

IDRS is very serious about its duty to provide clients with a safe and professional service and to providing all people working at IDRS with a safe and healthy working environment.

We aim to be a child safe organisation. For this reason, before you can commence employment a National Police Check will be conducted and a Working With Children Check must be provided.

Selection criteria

Essential skills, knowledge & experience:

• Demonstrated experience working with people with cognitive impairment or other socially disadvantaged group.
• Commitment to the principle that people with cognitive impairment will generally have capacity to make their own decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate effectively and persistently to achieve the best outcomes for marginalised people.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas simply and clearly.
• Demonstrated competency using client databases and proficiency using the Microsoft Office suite of products including Word and SharePoint.
• Understanding of the systemic barriers impacting on the rights of victims of crime, suspects and defendants with cognitive impairment when involved in the criminal justice system.
• Proven ability to work independently and in a small team environment.
• Commitment to ensuring a culturally supportive and safe environment for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service users.
• Skills and ability to support and debrief frontline volunteers

Desirable:

• Qualification in disability, human services and/or relevant management qualification.
• Experience working in and/or knowledge of the NSW the criminal justice system.
• Good understanding of work, health & safety responsibilities including self-care strategies.

Please note:

• A National Police Check will be conducted for recommended applicants. A Working with Children's check is also required
• After hours and week end on-call work is required to support the efficient and quality delivery of the JAS after hours service to people with cognitive impairment in police custody.

CONTACT

For enquiries, please contact Kelly Watson (Regional Manager) via email [email protected] using the subject line: Justice Advocate enquiry via EthicalJobs or telephone during business hours Monday to Friday on 0447 180 141.

All applications are to be submitted via clicking "Apply Now".

SELECTION PROCESS

The Selection Criteria MUST be addressed in order for your application to be considered.

Shortly after the closing date, all applications will be assessed against the selection criteria. If your application is shortlisted you will be contacted by phone or email to invite you to an interview. If you do not hear from us within a couple of weeks from the closing date, unfortunately it is unlikely you have proceeded to the interview stage. You are welcome to apply for future roles.

A position description is attached.