Are you of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander with prior experience within the Community?
Do you posses a passionate commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals involved in the Justice System?
Are your leadership and advocacy skills well-honed, with a genuine aspiration to collaborate within a culturally aligned team of Aboriginal staff, dedicated to creating a stronger, healthier and safer community?
Full Time Salary $91,000 plus superannuation
Please note: Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply for this position
About the GEO Group and Ravenhall Correctional Centre
Ravenhall Correctional Centre is part of The GEO Group Australia, Ravenhall is Victoria’s largest, medium security prison for adult sentenced and unsentenced males. Its contemporary campus-style design provides a safe and humane environment that enables and nurtures GEOs Continuum of Care operating philosophy.
Ravenhall also has a dedicated Forensic Mental Health Unit, a specialised Closed Supervision Unit for prisoners with significant challenging behaviours, and a small Mission Based Unit for prisoners who have never been in custody before. In recognition of the importance of Continuum of Care, Ravenhall extends its presence into the community by providing ex-prisoners with access to post-release support at GEO’s Community Reintegration Centre.
With key focus on young adult offenders, Aboriginal and those with complex and mental health needs, prisoners at Ravenhall have significant opportunities to engage in work, education, programs and services, through an evidence based approach to reduce re-offending.
Ravenhall’s unprecedented emphasis on offender rehabilitation and reintegration is evidenced through collaborative and integrated relationships with key Alliance service partners including Forensicare, Correct Care Australia, YMCA, Honeywell and Bendigo Kangan Institute of Tafe.
For more information about our organisation visit our website www.geogroup.com.au
About the Opportunity
The Aboriginal Key Worker(s) is responsible for providing placement-based case management support and pre and post-release support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in our care to assist them to successfully transition from Ravenhall back into the community.
They will work closely with Aboriginal Contractors, GEO Reintegration and Post Release Workers and Alliance Partners to ensure reintegration planning for Aboriginal men is holistic and focuses upon strengthening connections to community. They will assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to develop a Cultural Plan to assist with their reintegration and will work collaboratively with Aboriginal community organisations to ensure continuity of supports that is responsive to the specific needs of Aboriginal people.
They will also provide consultation and advice to all staff at Ravenhall to assist in ensuring a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. The Aboriginal Key Worker is an identified Aboriginal position and will also ideally have a background in social work, welfare or community services.
Key Accountabilities
- Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to develop a Cultural Plan that strengthens their connection to community, culture and country post-release.
- Regularly facilitate an Aboriginal Programs Orientation session to inform new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men about the culturally specific programs and services available at the Centre.
- Conduct Program Suitability Assessments for Aboriginal programs and services at Ravenhall within prescribed timeframes and refer to appropriate programs and services.
- Work collaboratively with GEO, Alliance Partners, health services and community organisations in assisting the men to develop individual reintegration plans that facilitate successful reintegration outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with Aboriginal community organisations to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners receive timely access to appropriate cultural programs and services post-release.
- Contribute to case-management plan and provide support at Case-Management Review Committees (CMRCs) where required.
- Provide consultation, advice and training on issues related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture including how clinical programs may be more culturally responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people.
- Assist in the organisation and coordination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander celebrations and events.
For a full list of Key Accountabilities, please refer to the Position Description.
Key Selection Criteria
To be successful in the role you will possess the following:
Essential:
- A demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and demonstrated commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people.
- A deep and authentic understanding of Indigenous culture, peoples, Country and traditions and the impact that the criminal justice system has on indigenous men, families and communities.
- A demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
- A demonstrated ability to be mature, flexible and empathetic to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in our care.
- An understanding of the reintegration needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and demonstrated experience in working with Aboriginal community organisations to address these needs.
- A demonstrated ability to be mature, flexible and empathetic to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other program areas and disciplines.
- Well-developed interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), assertiveness and negotiation skills.
- Ability to use a range of IT application programs.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other program areas and disciplines.
Desirable:
- A background in Social Work, Welfare or Community Services.
- Previous experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a health, case-management or wellbeing role.
About the Benefits
Joining GEO is your chance to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of prisoners, their families and the community. Benefits of working for GEO, include but are not limited to:
- Role diversity and internal career progression opportunities
- Ongoing funding for professional development opportunities (including further education sponsorship)
- Support with Professional Registration costs
- Flexible working arrangements
- Competitive salary and rewards scheme
- Free parking
- Employee Assistance Program
- Staff gym
- Subsidised meals
- Fitness Passport to promote wellbeing. Discounted gym and pool access for members and their families to over 1500 fitness facilities across Australia.
- REACH Program
- Discounted Private Health Insurance (Medibank Private)
- VCEA (Victorian Correctional Employees Association)
How to Apply
To initiate the application process, click on the "Apply" button and proceed through the application questionnaire located beneath the job advertisement.
The application process has several stages, and should your application advance, you will be expected to engage in the following steps:
- In-Person (preferred) or Virtual Interview Attendance.
- Reference checks will be conducted following the interview.
- National Police Certificate Authority Clearance
- Pre-Employment Medical and Fitness Assessment, which will be covered by our organisation. The evaluation will likely include various aspects, including assessed lifting capacity, aerobic fitness, lung function, grip strength, upper body strength, lower body strength, and core strength.
Important: Please note that Pre-Employment clearance can take up to approximately 6-8 weeks.
Important: Please note that Pre-Employment clearance can take approximately 6-8 weeks.
To be considered for this role, applicants must submit a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and a current resume.
For any enquiries, or to discuss these positions in more detail please contact [email protected]
Applications close at 11:59pm Sunday, 12 September 2025.
We are always looking for people to join or company who share the values that we stand for:
INTEGRITY RESPECT ACCOUNTABLE AGILE INNOVATIVE
