• Position: Fixed Term (31st March 2027), Full Time 
• Location: Preston 
• Salary: $110,110 - $114,980 + superannuation and salary packaging options
• This is a maternity backfill cover position 

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation’s visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

The Therapeutic Specialist will be responsible for working systemically within the Gamidji Balit Residential Services Program, providing creative and responsive support to carers and the management team. Our Residential Services Program works with children and young people who have experienced trauma and currently live away from family and often off country. This is complex work requiring a commitment to Aboriginal communities to support healing for the children and young people in residential services.

About You

• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the values that underpin VACCA’s vision and purpose and the capacity to take a leadership role in championing these internally and externally aligning with a high-level awareness of key issues that impact Aboriginal communities
• Demonstrated experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children and experience in sectors working with children and families
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with trauma, specifically the impacts of developmental trauma, the complexities of dual diagnoses, and the regular presence of high-risk behaviour that may be trauma-based in young people.
• Ability to work creatively, understanding what supports healing including cultural healing approaches and the importance of working with community as an integral part of the young person’s healing journey.

Desirable

• Experience working in Aboriginal lead organisations and/or a children’s mental health service will be highly regarded
• Experience providing child development or mental health assessment or behaviour management plans for children or adolescents who engage in high-risk behaviours will be well regarded

Requirements

• Tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline and experience in a similar discipline
• You must have and continue to hold a full Victorian Driver’s Licence, a current employment Working with Children Check card and a clear National Police Check
• Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster dose)

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities 
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5%  loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel 
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs 
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

 We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume.

We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying.

Please click below to download the position description for this role. 

 Therapeutic Specialist PD.pdf

Application closes by 29th April 2026 - Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy