Field Officer - North West Metro

About this role

• Contribute to rehabilitation and safer communities in the North West Metro Area
• Enjoy a variety of field work and office-based work
• Earn a competitive $42.90 per hour plus weekend penalty rates

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 We are responsible for the development of mutually beneficial partnerships with government agencies and non-government organisations so that individuals can undertake unpaid work as part of their community-based sentence imposed by the Courts of Victoria. Community work serves as a valuable way for individuals to pay back the community while also reconnecting and reintegrating into the community. We ensure individuals make genuine efforts to undergo rehabilitation, and we keep low risk individuals 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. 

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

Your first 3 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. For in-house, light duties or workshop programs, your clients will meet on site where you will induct, instruct and supervise 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, 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 individuals 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.

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

• You'll need to be able to communicate and demonstrate a range of tasks and ensure a safe environment for work teams.
• Have a strong understanding of Occupational Health and Safety practices and their practical application.
• Quickly build rapport in order to understand the motivations of others, identify issues and suggest courses of action appropriate to their needs.
• Have demonstrated ability to manage conflict and strong problem-solving skills.
• Model appropriate behaviours and attitudes to assist individuals to develop new skills and work practices.
• Carpentry, mechanical or handyman skills
• Gardening landscaping or painting skills
• Forklift qualifications/experience is highly desirable

Field Officers carry out a mixture of field work and office-based work, so it's important that you are able to demonstrate computer skills and written communication skills.

Transporting individuals 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 Victorian drivers' licence is essential for this position.

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 3-4 full days per week

Looking for more information?

We are holding an information session for those interested in the role on Wednesday 26 March from 4pm to 5pm in Derrimut. To attend in person, register here, To attend online, register here. You can also meet with one of our DJCS team at the upcoming Avalon Air Show from 25-30 March.

For more information about the role please contact Irena Peraica – Manager, Community Work and Partnerships on 0438 753 781.

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
• An interview
• Reference checks
• Security checks
• Health assessment – medical history and physical fitness components

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.

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