First Nations Mentor (REAL Program) – Alice Springs

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

Saltbush is seeking passionate Mentors 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.

Position Details:

• Employment Type: Full-time Fixed Term 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2030
• Location: Alice Springs (with outreach to Barkly Region and Correctional facilities)
• Excellent Remuneration: $75k 12% super salary packaging 5 weeks annual leave
• Reporting to: REAL Program Manager
• 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).

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 opportunity 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:

Participant Engagement & Mentoring

• 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 escalate 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 and counsellor/social worker advice. This may include transport and attendance.
• Engage with service providers to ensure accurate reporting and compliance related to support obligations.

Reporting and Communication

• Maintain accurate and timely digital records of participation attendance and outcomes to support program monitoring and evaluation and reporting.
• Contribute participant success stories for communications and reporting purposes where appropriate.
• Communicate effectively through email phone reports and presentations to engage stakeholders and share program progress.
• Work within an ethical and legal framework and ensure services are provided in line with legislation policy and procedural requirements including but not limited to Child Safety Standards.

Team Collaboration and Contribution

• Work collaboratively within the REAL team to ensure shared accountability for participant outcomes and program impact.
• Engage with the broader Saltbush team and utilise shared internal services including finance recruitment IT marketing risk and quality.
• Foster a team culture focused on continuous improvement respectful practice and innovation in service delivery.

Essential Selection Criteria:

• Successful candidates will be required to provide proof or evidence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
• Willingness and ability to successfully complete the full accredited Saltbush 11055NAT Course in Mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Mentors within the 6-month probationary period.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
• Proven ability to build trusting relationships with individuals who present with multiple and complex needs.
• Sound understanding and application of trauma-informed culturally safe approaches to support and mentoring.
• Strong problem-solving skills that support individuals to take ownership of their goals and build resilience.
• Proficiency in MS Office and the ability to quickly learn new systems and processes for data capture and reporting.
• Experience in designing and delivering soft skills and development activities through structured flexible learning formats.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks meet deadlines and work effectively both independently and within a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to engage via email social media phone presentations and reports.

Highly Desirable Criteria:

• Lived experience of the justice system or strong community connections.
• Experience in employment reintegration youth services and community-based programs.
• Knowledge of the Northern Territory justice and parole systems.
• Local knowledge of Central Australia services.

Ready to Make a Difference Were looking for someone whos ready to start this journey with us. If that sounds like you wed love to hear from you.

Interviews will begin as soon as we find the right people so dont wait reach out today.

Employment is Subject to Providing the following:

• National Police Clearance (no more than three months old)
• NT Working with Children (OCHRE) Card
• Current Drivers Licence
• Current First Aid

How to Apply: Share your resume and answer all Employer Questions or provide a one page Cover Letter.

Contact Us: If you have any questions or want to talk more about this opportunity give us a call onor email