First Nations Female Mentor (REAL Program) - Alice Springs

Alice Springs, Northern Territory 0870, Australia • A$74,000 - A$75,000

Full-time Contract Mid-level Senior

Description

Join Our Team as a First Nations Mentor at Saltbush in Alice Springs

Saltbush is seeking a passionate female Mentor for the REAL Program to provide one-on-one and group support, delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed guidance that empowers First Nations participants to build skills, strengthen resilience, and create pathways to education, employment, and community reconnection.

- Employment Type: Full-time Fixed Term until 30 June 2030
- Location: Alice Springs (with outreach to Barkly Region and Correctional facilities)
- Remuneration: $75k + 12% super + salary packaging + 5 weeks annual leave
- Hours: Normal business hours, with flexibility for additional hours as needed
- Travel: Occasional travel to other Saltbush service locations, as required

This position is identified for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8 (1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and section 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT).

This position is only open to female applicants due to a genuine occupational qualification (GOQ) under Section 30 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and Section 35 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 (NT), as permitted by our contract for the Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program to ensure culturally appropriate service delivery.

About Saltbush: Saltbush Social Enterprises is a not-for-profit organisation based in the Northern Territory, dedicated to supporting individuals as they walk towards brighter futures.



Our mission is to uplift and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, through meaningful employment and community-driven programs.

The Role: The Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program – Tracks to Tomorrow supports First Nations people aged 15 years and over transitioning from custodial settings to community. Delivered across pre-release, release and post-release phases, the program provides personalised culturally safe and trauma-informed support that strengthens pathways to education and employment, and supports reconnection with family, community and culture.

The Mentor is the primary point of connection for REAL participants and provides intensive, relationship-based mentoring and practical support throughout their transition from custody to community. The role focuses on engagement, stability, cultural reconnection, skill development and sustained participation in education, training or employment.

Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally safe approach, you will mentor and coach participants through challenges, facilitating learning, self-awareness and positive behavioural change.

In this role, you will have a strong commitment to walking alongside individuals who have faced complex and long-standing obstacles, helping them reconnect with prospect,



community and self-belief. Your work contributes to long-term outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

To ensure success in your role as a Mentor you will:

- Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with participants across pre- and post-release phases.
- Deliver pre-release mentoring within correctional facilities, including program participation.
- Provide intensive post-release outreach and daily support in the initial transition period.
- Co-develop Transitional Case Plans with participants and the multidisciplinary team.
- Support practical settlement needs including transport, appointments, documentation, Centrelink and banking.
- Assist with work readiness, resumes, interview practice and job retention mentoring.
- Identify and escalates risk and safeguarding concerns appropriately.
- Maintain accurate case notes, activity records and outcome data.

Engagement

- Apply a trauma-informed and culturally appropriate approach to all interactions, fostering trust and respectful relationships.
- Collaborate with Correctional facilities to coordinate participant support and engagement.
- Support family, community and cultural reconnection consistent with participant goals.
- Promote program success by sharing relevant information and setting clear expectations around participation.
- Engage with external service providers to facilitate access to services needed by individuals, consistent with individual plans. This may include support with transport and attendance.
- Engage with service providers to ensure accurate reporting and compliance rela

📌 First Nations Female Mentor (Australia)
🏢 Saltbush Social Enterprises
📍 Australia