CQID is experiencing organisational growth across all services and seeking suitable candidates for a range of positions.
CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Maryborough and Woorabinda.
A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being an Employer of Choice.
Purpose of the Position
The Program Coordinator – Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day delivery of CQID’s REAL Program and providing supervision and support to a team of REAL Mentors.
The position maintains a direct participant caseload equivalent to approximately 0.6 FTE Mentor capacity while coordinating program operations, staff activities, stakeholder engagement and service delivery across both correctional and community settings.
The Program Coordinator works closely with Queensland Corrective Services, training organisations, employment providers, community organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to support participants transitioning from custody into education, training, employment and community life.
The position is responsible for coordinating service delivery, supporting staff practice, monitoring performance, maintaining stakeholder relationships and ensuring contractual requirements are achieved. The role identifies operational issues, risks and barriers and escalates matters requiring management attention.
As a significant component of the role is delivered within the correctional environment, the successful applicant must be able to obtain and maintain approval to access Capricornia Correctional Centre and comply with all Queensland Corrective Services operational, conduct and security requirements.
Program Overview
The Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program is an Australian Government funded initiative that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people transitioning from incarceration into the community.
The program provides culturally responsive mentoring and practical support to participants prior to release and following release from custody. The program aims to strengthen connections to employment, education, training, culture, housing, health services and community supports while reducing barriers to successful reintegration.
The REAL Program is underpinned by principles of self-determination, cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, strengths-based service delivery and participant-led goal setting.
Responsibilities and Duties
Program Coordination and Service Delivery
- Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the REAL Program
- Maintain a direct participant caseload equivalent to approximately 0.6 FTE Mentor capacity
- Coordinate participant allocation, prison visits, outreach activities and staff schedules
- Support the implementation of program procedures, operational guidelines and service delivery resources
- Monitor program activity against contractual requirements and key performance indicators
- Monitor participant engagement, service delivery and program outcomes
- Identify operational issues and escalate risks, barriers and service delivery concerns as required
- Support collection of program data and reporting information
- Participate in program evaluation and continuous improvement activities
Workforce Leadership and Support
- Provide day-to-day supervision, mentoring and support to REAL Mentors
- Coordinate regular team meetings, case discussions and participant reviews
- Monitor workloads and support staff to achieve program outcomes
- Promote culturally safe, trauma-informed and strengths-based practice
- Identify workforce development needs and support staff participation in training and professional development
- Monitor staff wellbeing and escalate workforce concerns where required
- Participate in recruitment, induction and onboarding processes
Correctional Centre Liaison and Coordination
- Coordinate REAL Program activities within Capricornia Correctional Centre
- Develop and maintain productive working relationships with Queensland Corrective Services personnel
- Coordinate prison access approvals, scheduling arrangements and visitor requirements
- Ensure compliance with correctional centre security requirements and operational procedures
- Maintain personal correctional centre access approval
- Support REAL staff to obtain and maintain required correctional centre access approvals and inductions
- Act as CQID’s primary operational contact regarding day-to-day REAL Program activities within the correctional environment
- Coordinate referrals and participant engagement processes with correctional centre staff
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with employment services, training providers, education providers, community organisations and government agencies
- Support the development of referral pathways and service connections
- Represent CQID at operational meetings, stakeholder forums and service networks
- Promote awareness of the REAL Program within the community and service system
- Support engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Elders, Traditional Owners and community-controlled organisations
Participant Support and Outcomes
- Provide direct mentoring and support to participants
- Support participants to develop and review Individual Action Plans
- Assist participants to access employment, education, training, housing, health and community supports
- Monitor participant progress and engagement
- Support Mentors to respond to complex participant needs and barriers
- Escalate high-risk participant matters in accordance with CQID policies and procedures.
Information Technology, Reporting and Compliance
- Coordinate program reporting requirements and data collection processes
- Monitor data quality and reporting compliance
- Support implementation and ongoing use of Departmental information technology systems and reporting platforms
- Work collaboratively with CQID Information Technology staff to ensure compliance with Right Fit For Risk requirements and information security obligations
- Maintain accurate participant and program records
- Support contractual reporting and performance monitoring requirements
Selection Criteria
Essential
- Relevant qualification/s in Community Services, Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Employment Services, Criminology or a related discipline, or significant demonstrated experience in a comparable role
- Demonstrated experience coordinating programs, projects or service delivery activities
- Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring or supporting staff
- Demonstrated understanding of the challenges experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved with the justice system and the impacts of incarceration, trauma, grief and loss, intergenerational disadvantage and systemic disadvantage
- Demonstrated understanding of culturally safe, trauma-informed and strengths-based practice
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with government agencies, community organisations and key stakeholders
- Strong organisational, communication and time management skills
- Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records and prepare reports
- Demonstrated ability to utilise information technology systems, databases and reporting platforms
- Ability to obtain, maintain and comply with all requirements associated with Queensland Corrective Services access approval for Capricornia Correctional Centre and any other correctional facilities relevant to program delivery
- Current Queensland Driver Licence
Desirable
- Experience working within correctional services, youth justice, community justice, employment services or reintegration programs
- Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities
- Experience managing government-funded programs and reporting requirements
- Knowledge of employment pathways, vocational education and training systems
- Existing Queensland Corrective Services access approval
- Lived experience and/or strong community connections
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Knowledge
- Knowledge of the factors contributing to incarceration and recidivism
- Understanding of trauma, grief and loss, adverse childhood experiences and social disadvantage
- Understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, communities and contemporary issues
- Understanding of community services, employment, education and training systems
- Understanding of culturally safe and trauma-informed service delivery
Skills
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to coordinate service delivery across multiple stakeholders
- Ability to support and supervise staff
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities
- Strong record keeping and report writing skills
- Ability to utilise information technology systems and databases.
Experience
- Experience working within human services, community services, corrections, employment, education, training or related sectors
- Experience coordinating service delivery and supporting staff
- Experience working with individuals experiencing complex social and personal challenges
- Experience building partnerships and referral pathways
Minimum Requirements
The successful applicant will:
- Hold a current Queensland Driver Licence
- Hold or be eligible to obtain a Blue Card
- Hold or be eligible to obtain a National Police Check
- Be able to successfully obtain and maintain access approval for Capricornia Correctional Centre
- Comply with all Queensland Corrective Services security, conduct and operational requirements
- Participate in supervision, mandatory training and professional development activities
- Comply with CQID policies, procedures and practice frameworks
- Comply with Workplace Health and Safety requirements
