Jobs Victoria Employment Services (JVES) Worker (3 x positions)

This position contributes to the Victorian Government’s provision of supports to help Victorians facing barriers to employment into jobs. Jobs Victoria Employment Services Caseworkers will provide culturally responsive and individualised support to vulnerable jobseekers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds to assist them to become job ready and place them in employment.

JVES caseworkers will screen jobseekers to identify their individual circumstances including their previous work experience in Australia and overseas, job preferences, and any barriers they could face when applying for employment in their preferred industry.  Based on the assessment, the JVES caseworker will provide tailored support that will meet their needs, address barriers, and promote their job readiness.

If job ready, the jobseeker will be supported to search and apply for positions in the relevant industry including assistance with writing applications and resumes, as well as gaining interview skills and understanding Australian work culture and expectations.

Tailored more intensive support will be provided to those who are not job ready.  If the jobseeker is experiencing crisis in their lives that is impacting on their ability to work, the JVES caseworker will develop an action plan with them that includes their goals and what steps need to be taken to become job ready.  The action plan will be prepared in partnership with the client and the client’s consent obtained if referrals are required to other services such as other JVES services, legal, housing, health and/or mental health services.  

Jobseekers who require additional skills to become job ready will be referred to pre-accredited or accredited training programs or to other JVES services such as career counsellors. Specifically, JVES caseworkers will work in partnership with JVES core service providers, other specialist services, English language, and vocational training in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR) to deliver training that is tailored to meet the needs identified by employers.

The activities for developing a job ready client pool will involve working with RTO and AMEP programs to develop pre-employment courses that are designed to meet the employment needs of employers where there are job vacancies and labour force shortages.  JVES caseworkers will provide on-going support to jobseekers post placement through weekly contact initially to address any concerns and monthly contact once they have settled into their work.  

JVES caseworkers will identify and work alongside employers to support them in employing the target groups.  Activities that will be used include holding forums for employers that present a value proposition for employing migrants and refugees, showcase successes and dispel myths and misconceptions; working with individual employers to understand employer workforce attraction and retention rates that influence recruitment practices; aligning job ready clients to employer needs through pre-employment training and industry English programs; and provide on-going support to employees and employers post-placement to maintain employment over the longer-term.

The successful applicants will have experience in supporting jobseekers from CALD backgrounds to secure employment, well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, experience managing and maintaining effective relationships with CALD community groups, other service providers and employers, sound problem solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team.  The role provides the opportunity to support disadvantaged CALD jobseekers to prepare for and secure work, while contributing to the social and economic recovery and inclusion of all Victorians impacted by the pandemic.