SOFI Consultant - Steps of Freedom (Ex-Offender Program)

 At Employment Plus, we've been transforming lives and supporting communities since 1998 as a proud member of The Salvation Army. Our purpose is simple: to help people overcome barriers, build confidence, and achieve sustainable employment outcomes.

The Steps of Freedom (SOFI) program supports people with a history of offending to successfully reintegrate into the community through employment, training and tailored support. We recognise that meaningful employment can play a critical role in reducing reoffending and creating positive long-term change.

The Opportunity

In this specialist role, you'll support people with a history of offending to overcome barriers, secure employment and successfully reintegrate into the community. Through case management, employment planning and employer engagement, you'll help participants achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

Due to the specialist nature of the program and participant cohort, direct experience supporting justice-involved individuals is an essential requirement for this role.

What You'll Be Doing

This is a rewarding and varied role where you'll support people with a history of offending, including those presenting with complex or high-risk needs, to overcome barriers, build confidence and secure sustainable employment.

You'll work in a small specialist team, collaborating with participants, employers, stakeholders and support services to create positive pathways into work and support successful reintegration into the community.

A typical day might include:

• Building positive, supportive relationships with SOFI participants
• Conducting in-depth assessments of barriers and developing tailored employment plans
• Delivering culturally safe, person-centred support to individuals with complex needs
• Referring participants to training, community and other support services
• Supporting participants to build confidence, job readiness and employability skills
• Identifying suitable employment opportunities and advocating with employers
• Building relationships with local employers and industry partners
• Providing ongoing support to participants and employers after placement in employment
• Maintaining accurate records and case notes in line with program requirements
• Contributing to team discussions and continuous improvement initiatives
  

About You

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Significant experience supporting ex-offenders, forensic clients or justice-involved individuals in a case management, employment, rehabilitation or community services setting
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with individuals presenting complex behavioural, social, housing, mental health, alcohol and other drug, or criminogenic needs
• Experience conducting needs assessments and developing employment or support plans
• Well-developed relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• A strong understanding of the barriers faced by people with justice system involvement and strategies to help them overcome those barriers
• Knowledge of community, government and support services that assist successful reintegration
• Excellent communication, administration and record-keeping skills
• A person-centred, strengths-based approach with a genuine desire to support positive change
• A Diploma qualification in Community Services or a related field, together with relevant justice-sector experience

This is a specialist case management role working with participants who may have extensive criminal justice involvement, complex support needs and significant barriers to employment. Success in this role requires resilience, professional boundaries, strong risk awareness and a commitment to person-centred practice.

Why Join Employment Plus?

• Make a meaningful difference in people's lives every day
• Be part of a purpose-driven organisation with strong social impact
• Access ongoing professional development and career opportunities
• Work within a supportive and values-led team environment
• Join one of Australia's largest not-for-profit providers of employment services
  

A driver's licence and your own vehicle are required as you'll travel between sites across the region.

Apply today and help create pathways to employment, independence and lasting change.

At Employment Plus, we value diversity and strive for inclusivity in our recruitment process. If you are a person with a disability and require an adjustment, such as alternative application methods, or if you have a general enquiry about a role, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]. Please specify the job title and location in the subject line.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check or relevant state equivalent. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory National Police Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration