• Supervise and support people completing community work across diverse work sites.
• Perfect role for people with hands-on experience in trades.
• Help people give back to the community while improving their own future.
• Multiple casual roles earning $44.18 per hour, plus weekend penalty rates

Who are we?

Community Work and Partnerships are responsible for the development of mutually beneficial partnerships for individuals to undertake unpaid work as part of their community-based sentence. Community work serves as a valuable way for individuals to pay back the community while also reconnecting and reintegrating into the community. We keep low risk individuals out of prison and help them contribute to the community.

What does a Field Officer do?

As a Field Officer, you will lead and support a team of clients at community work sites. You will be a positive role model and teach clients new skills.

You will:

• Supervise and instruct people completing community work, ensuring safe, productive and meaningful activities.
• Provide workplace health and safety advice, guidance and instruction.
• Carry out site inspections, risk assessments and safety checks to maintain a safe environment.
• Maintain a tools and equipment register, ensure repairs are undertaken.

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

Your first 4 weeks as a Field Officer will involve classroom-based training, followed by on-the-job training and support.

Life as a Field Officer involves a variety of in-house and outdoor work. Your shift starts at a Justice Service Centre location – either Derrimut or Epping. For in-house, light duties or workshop programs, your clients will meet on site where you will instruct and support these duties.

For off-site programs, you will collect a bus/trailer with equipment. You then drive to a site to collect a group of clients, before transporting 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 support the individuals to safely perform each task and be a positive role model. You will monitor the work performed for the partner site before returning them to the drop off point and returning to your depot.

About you

You will be a confident communicator, able to demonstrate a range of practical tasks while ensuring a safe and supportive working environment for teams. You will bring a strong understanding of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices.

You will also have:

• The ability to model appropriate behaviours and attitudes to support individuals in developing new skills and positive work practices
• Demonstrated conflict management and strong problem-solving skills
• A strong sense of integrity and professionalism
• Practical or trade skills, such as carpentry, mechanical, general handyman work, gardening, landscaping, painting, food service
• Basic computer skills, and the ability to communicate clearly in writing
• Forklift licence and/or experience (highly desirable)

Transporting individuals is a key component of the role. Field Officers are required to drive a 12-seater bus with a trailer, therefore a full and current Victorian driver's licence is essential.

Community Work operates seven days per week and this role will be required to work on weekends. Weekend availability is required. Our ideal candidate should have availability for minimum 4 full days per week.

For more information about the role, please review the position description or contact Vivien Vukelic – A/Manager, Community Work and Partnerships on 0436 405 766.

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:

• Several questions in the application form upon submitting your resume
• A phone screen
• A written work sample (case scenario)
• An interview
• Reference checks
• Security checks
• Health assessment – medical history and physical fitness components https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/prison-officer-pre-service-health-assessment

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependant on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

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.