Full time Fixed Term contract to 30 June 2027

Salary commensurate with experience $63,962 to $75,818 plus superannuation and applicable regional allowances

Attractive employee benefits including salary packaging

Generous leave provisions of 5 weeks annual leave plus leave loading

2 weeks additional paid leave for end of year closure

Access to additional paid leave for health and well-being

Please note Aboriginality is a genuine qualification for this position as per section 50(d) of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1984.

About the service

The Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Limited (ALSWA) is funded by the Department of Justice to provide a Youth Engagement Program in Geraldton (YEP-GER). YEP-GER will expand upon the metropolitan Youth Engagement Program (YEP-M) which has been operating in Perth since May 2016, the Youth Engagement Program in the West Kimberley (YEP-WK) which has been operating since February 2021, and the Youth Engagement Program in the East Kimberley (YEP-EK and YEP-HC) which have been operating since mid-2023.

YEP-GER will employ two Aboriginal diversion officers (one male and one female) who will be located at the Geraldton ALSWA office to provide support for eligible ALSWA clients appearing in the Geraldton and Mullewa Children’s Courts. YEP provides culturally competent, holistic, individualised and flexible support to young people to assist them in complying with the requirements of their bail and other court orders. More broadly, the program aims to reduce offending and improve young people’s well-being and prospects.

The Diversion Officers provide support to eligible YEP clients through case management, mentoring, court support, advocacy, referrals to external programs and services, and practical assistance. This includes support for young people to re-engage in education and participate in therapeutic programs. Diversion Officers are collaboratively with Youth Justice and other local agencies and stakeholders.

You will be required to attend the Geraldton and Mullewa Children’s Courts, conduct appointments via phone/MS Teams with clients in Banksia Hill Detention Centre, and conduct home visits to clients on a regular basis (including visits to remote communities). In addition, you will provide support to clients with transport to court and to attend appointments. Further, you will refer clients to appropriate programs in the community and provide ongoing mentoring to ensure that the young people engage in programs and comply with their court requirements. You will liaise with key stakeholders including Youth Justice Services, and perform administrative duties and other duties as directed.

This position requires responsible people who are compassionate and self-motivated with well-developed interpersonal skills and personal integrity.

Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, society and the issues affecting Aboriginal people is required.

About the role

The Diversion Officer provides support to eligible ALSWA clients through case management, mentoring, court support, advocacy, referrals to external programs and services, and practical assistance. This includes support to young people to re-engage in education and participate in therapeutic programs. Diversion officers are required to work collaboratively with Youth Justice and other local agencies.

You will be required to attend the Geraldton Children's Court, conduct appointments via phone/skype with clients in Banksia Hill Detention Centre, conduct home visits to clients on a regular basis (including visits to remote communities). In addition, you will provide support to clients with transport to court and to attend appointments. Further, you will refer clients to appropriate programs in the community and provide ongoing mentoring to ensure that the young people engage in programs and comply with their court requirements. You will liaise with key stakeholders including Youth Justice Services, perform administrative duties and other duties as directed.

This position requires responsible people who are compassionate and self-motivated with well-developed interpersonal skills and personal integrity.

Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, society and the issues affecting Aboriginal people is required.

About you

If you are passionate about striving for justice for disadvantaged Aboriginal people and want to make a difference, ALSWA is the place for you. The work is both challenging and rewarding.

To be considered for this role, you will need to meet the following criteria:

Demonstrated experience working in a similar field/role.

High-level communication skills (interpersonal, written and verbal) with experience in conflict resolution.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people, particularly Aboriginal young people, and to work with Aboriginal people with an appropriate level of cultural understanding, empathy and sensitivity.

Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team comprising legal and non-legal staff with a willingness to learn and share knowledge with others.

Demonstrated ability to problem solve.

Demonstrated high-level organisational and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure.

Ability to travel when required.

Ability to confidently use workplace technology (including databases).

Valid driver’s licence.

Ability to obtain a Working with Children Check, National Police Clearance and Department of Justice Clearance.

Other desirable skills and experience include:

A sound knowledge of issues relating to the involvement of Aboriginal children in the youth justice system and a general understanding of the youth justice and/or legal system, including some knowledge of court procedure and court etiquette.

A sound understanding of the issues affecting the Aboriginal community, especially in the Mid-West.

Knowledge of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other stakeholders within the community that can assist with meeting the objectives of YEP.

Qualifications in social work, youth work or similar fields and/or three years of experience working in community support services.

About our benefits

We have a friendly, caring and diverse work environment. We offer attractive employment benefits including salary packaging (making part of your salary tax-free), internal staff wellbeing services, free counselling services to employees and immediate family through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development.

We also provide 5 weeks annual leave per year plus leave loading, 2 weeks additional paid leave for end of year closure, and access to additional paid leave for health and well-being.

About us

ALSWA is a not-for-profit independent government-funded Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation working to provide high-quality representation and assistance to the Aboriginal community in WA.

We aim to deliver a quality legal service and education that contributes to the participation, empowerment and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout WA.

ALSWA has 11 offices across regional WA and practices in the areas of criminal, civil and human rights, and family law, as well as law reform, community legal education and programs including the Custody Notification Service (CNS), Custody Wellbeing Service (CWS), Youth Engagement Program (YEP), Bail Support Service/Prison In-Reach Legal Service (BSS/PIR), Old Ways New Ways (OWNW), and the Work and Development Permit Service (WDPS).

We live our values of caring, sharing and respect.

How to apply

To submit your application, please click the 'Apply' button or send your application to [email protected]. Your application must include a cover letter outlining what strengths you could bring to the role and your resume. Addressing selection criteria is not required.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity in further detail, please contact Sasha Greenoff, Manager Youth Engagement Program or ALSWA Human Resources on (08) 9265 6666.

Aboriginality is a genuine qualification for this position as per section 50(d) of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1984.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday 15 June 2025

For full position details, roles and responsibilities please visit the employment section of www.als.org.au/employment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are seeking to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the differing needs of our clients and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees. ALSWA strongly encourages applications from Indigenous Australians and people with a disability. We provide an environment that values diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential.