Community Engagement Officer (Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Identified)

Position Overview

The Community Engagement Officer is an integral to WNSWCLC, committed to enhancing relationships with First Nations communities across our service regions. Reporting directly to the Executive Officer, this position supports both our general legal services and the specialist domestic violence unit, Western Women’s Legal Support (WWLS).

Grounded in community development principles, the role aims to:

• Foster trust and engagement between WNSWCLC and First Nations communities.
• Ensuring that our services are culturally safe, responsive, and effective.
• Facilitate access to non-legal services.
• Promote awareness and understanding of the justice system.
• Contribute to the Centre’s commitment to cultural safety and inclusivity.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Client Support and Referral Coordination

• Provide culturally appropriate non-legal assistance to First Nations clients, including help with forms, appointments, and navigating services.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local support networks and services to enable warm referrals for social, health, housing, or other needs.
• Contribute to the intake process by gathering relevant information and assessing client needs

2. Community Engagement and Outreach

• Promote the services and build relationships of trust through ongoing engagement with Aboriginal communities, organisations and stakeholders.
• Attend and participate in key community events such as NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week and other significant cultural occasions.
• Liaise with First Nations organisations, community groups, and interagencies to build partnerships and raise awareness of available services.
• Assist solicitors and legal educators in delivering outreach and community legal education in culturally safe and engaging ways.

3. Cultural Safety and Organisational Development

• Provide input into the development of culturally appropriate materials including pamphlets, factsheets, policies , procedures and education tools.
• Support the development and review of the Reconciliation Action Plan and contribute ideas for its implementation.
• Organise or support internal cultural awareness activities to improve staff understanding and engagement.

4. Community Legal Education

• Collaborate with WNSWCLC staff to identify community legal education needs within First Nations communities.
• Assist in the development and delivery of legal education sessions, ensuring content is accessible and culturally appropriate.
• Promote awareness of legal rights and WNSWCLC services through various outreach activities.

5. Organisation expectations

At WNSWCLC, every team member plays a vital role in building a fairer, more just society. As part of our team, you will be expected to:

• Live Our Values: Demonstrate your commitment to justice, equity, and compassion through your daily actions and decisions, embodying the WNSWCLC core values of respect, integrity, and community.
• Uphold Standards: Comply with all WNSWCLC policies and procedures, ensuring your work meets the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Work Collaboratively: Be an active part of a supportive, multi-disciplinary team where knowledge-sharing, empathy, and mutual respect are central to how we work.
• Contribute to Growth: Participate in the development, review, and refinement of WNSWCLC policies and practices, ensuring they stay responsive to community needs and sector best practices.
• Stay Accountable: Collect data and prepare timely reports in line with the Centre’s requirements and obligations to funding bodies, contributing to transparency and continuous improvement.
• Engage with Leadership: Prepare regular reports for the Management Committee and actively participate in staff meetings and strategic planning days, where your input helps shape the direction of the WNSWCLC.
• Pitch In Where Needed: Assist with day-to-day administrative tasks, whether that’s answering phones, making client appointments, or helping a colleague, because we believe no task is too small when it supports the greater good.
• Be a Team Player: Step in to assist with client work when colleagues are on leave, ensuring continuity of service and support for clients.
• Support Rural Access to Justice: Travel independently or with colleagues to rural and remote communities, correctional centres, and other outreach locations, including overnight stays (if required), delivering essential legal services to people who need them most.
• Stay Adaptable: Take on additional duties as needed, showing flexibility and commitment to the evolving needs of the Centre and the communities, we serve.
• Respect Client Privacy: Strictly adhere to the Centre’s Information Barrier policy and procedures, safeguarding the confidentiality and trust of all clients.

Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Demonstrated experience working effectively and respectfully with First Nations communitie
2. Strong understanding of social justice principles and community development frameworks.
3. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and basic administrative skills.
4. Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
5. Strong organisational skills, initiative, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
6. Well-developed networking and relationship-building capabilities.
7. Current NSW Driver’s Licence and ability to travel regularly, including overnight stays.

Desirable

1. Be Aboriginal and /or Torres islander decent and identify
2. Previous experience working within a Community Legal Centre, women’s support service, or social justice organisation.
3. A Certificate III in Community Services or willingness to undertake relevant training.