Positions Overview:

Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative is inviting you to apply to join our new Community Engagement team within Wathaurong’s Community Strengthening Unit. This team will strengthen relationships with our Aboriginal families and communities, living on Wada-wurrung, Gulidjan and Gadubanud country across the Barwon region. This team will build promising practice from community-led innovation projects to support self-determined ACCO (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation) ways of working for the organisation.

Wathaurong is offering seven positions within the Community Engagement team to establish Community Engagement Innovation initiatives. From December 2021 to July 2023, the Community Engagement team will facilitate the community-led co-design of culturally-centred, strength-based and holistic reimagining of prevention, healing (Social and Emotional Wellbeing) and response service delivery. The models will support Wathaurong’s work to

• Strengthen people and families’ connection to culture, community, and social and emotional wellbeing,
• Develop practice knowledge on emerging local principles of Aboriginal Community Development
• Co-creating trauma-informed support and healing processes with people, families, and communities
• Enacting innovative systems change for how mainstream services engage with and support for Aboriginal Communities across the Barwon Region, including a focus on Justice sector.

About the Role:

We currently have a full time fixed term (Contract ends 23/07/2021) opportunity to join our Community Engagement Team in the role of Therapist (Healing).This position is responsible for working alongside the Healing / Social and Emotional Wellbeing facilitator to co-design, deliver and pilot a locally self-determined, holistic family and community healing model that is strength-based, culturally centred and trauma-informed. This role will group and individual therapeutic healing support to families and community members who have experienced family violence. This role will work closely with Wathaurong’s Mental Health / Social and Emotional Wellbeing team.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• Tertiary level qualification in a relevant discipline including social work, psychology, counselling, and/or social sciences.
• Strong relationships with Aboriginal People across of the Barwon region, living on Wada-wurrung, Gulidjan and Gadubanud country, and knowledge of safe and appropriate cultural practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of social, physical, economical, and cultural challenges affecting contemporary Aboriginal communities and their ability to access adequate and quality services.
• Extensive experience in a community development, community led approaches, community engagement, and Healing for Family and Community Strengthening.
• Experience working in a service delivery setting within Aboriginal Community Controlled (preferred) setting and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or culturally and/or linguistically diverse communities.
• Ability to reimagine innovate approaches to Family Violence Prevention and Healing for Family and Community Strengthening.
• Strong reflective practice skills and commitment to ongoing learning and growth opportunities
• Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills with ability to develop positive community, stakeholder relationships and communicate with diverse individuals at all levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write and present professional documents to professional and community audiences.

Desirable but not essential

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

*A police check, Working with Children Card, Vaccination Certificate and current driver’s licence are required for all positions

About Us

The name Wathaurong (Wada-Wurrung) is a recognised tribe (community) which consisted of some 25 clans (family groups) that formed part of the Kulin Nation of Aboriginal people.

The traditional boundaries of the Wathaurong people span the coastline from the Werribee River to Lorne peninsula and traverse inland in a north westerly direction towards Ballarat. The Wathaurong people have lived within these regions for more than 25,000 years.

As custodians of the Wathaurong lands, we are committed to working together to provide a secure future for our community by upholding the dignity of our ancestors; respecting our Elders and instilling a sense of cultural pride and belonging for our children and children's children.

The Co-operative provides a range of services including; family and community services, support to young people, justice support services; cultural heritage services, and health services. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd is the largest employer of Aboriginal people within the Geelong region.

Enquiries regarding the position should be directed to Angela Wash on: [email protected] using the subject line: Therapist - Healing - Barwon enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Alternatively you can contact Angela Walsh via phone if you would like to discuss the position in further detail on: mobile: 0413907536

“This is a special measures role and only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible to apply, under the special measures provision, section 12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).