• Full time, ongoing role supervising people undertaking unpaid work in the community 
• Enjoy a variety of field work and office-based work
• Help keep your community safe while supporting people to complete community work 

Do you have great communication skills and want to be a role model to people hoping for a second chance? If you want to make time to help people get their lives back on track, read on.

Who are we?

Community Work and Partnerships are responsible for the development of mutually beneficial partnerships with government agencies and non-government organisations so that offenders (participants) can undertake unpaid community service (community work) as part of their community-based sentence imposed by the Courts of Victoria. Community work serves as a valuable way for people who've offended to pay back the community while also reconnecting and reintegrating into the community. We ensure they make genuine efforts to undergo rehabilitation, and we keep low risk offenders out of prison and help them contribute to the community.

What does a Field Officer do?

Your primary responsibility as a Field Officer will be to supervise a team of clients at community work sites and other community work programs.  A field officer carries out many duties and functions, mainly the supervision of individuals completing community work tasks. Other responsibilities include performing site inspections, assess hazards, providing informed workplace health and safety advice, guidance and instruction; maintaining tools and equipment resister and ensuring repairs are undertaken. 

Transporting participants is also a key part of the role and Field Officers will be required to drive a 12-seater bus with trailer. A full and current drivers' licence is essential for this position.

A day in the life of a Field Officer. . .

Your shift starts at a Justice Service Centre location where you collect a bus/ trailer with equipment. You then drive to a site to collect a group of participants, where you will induct, instruct and transport them to a partner not-for-profit organisation in the community. Tasks for the day may involve graffiti removal, painting, litter collection, mowing and weeding. Your responsibility is to instruct the participants to safely perform each task and monitor the work performed for the partner site before returning them to the drop off point and returning to your depot. 

Please note while the primary office location is Dandenong, the successful candidate will be required to travel across the South East Metro Region including but not limited to Lilydale to assist regional community work programs.

We are looking for individuals with various backgrounds and experience. Some desirable skills include:

• an ability to communicate and demonstrate a range of tasks and ensure a safe environment for community work teams.
• a strong understanding of Occupational Health and Safety practices. 
• rapport building skills to understand the motivations of others, identify issues and suggest courses of action appropriate to their needs.
• demonstrated ability to manage conflict and strong problem-solving skills.
• model appropriate behaviours and attitudes to assist offenders to develop new skills and work practices.
• carpentry or handyman skills
• gardening landscaping or painting skills
• sound computer skills and written communication skills due to some office-based work.

Community Work operates seven days per week and s the successful candidate will be required to work a 5-day roster including one weekend day. Candidates will be given the option to work Tuesday to Sunday or Sunday to Thursday (weekend penalty rates apply as per the Enterprise Agreement).

For more information about the role please contact Emily Alton - Supervisor, Community Work and Partnerships on 0407 972 236. 

How to apply

Please click the Apply button at the bottom of this advertisement. Applications should include a resume uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats. 

The assessment process will entail the following:

• Answering several questions in the application form upon submitting your resume
• An interview and case study 
• Reference checks
• Pre-employment security checks
• Health Assessment (medical history review and physical fitness test)

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.