Community Engagement Worker headspace South Melbourne

• Permanent Part Time (0.8 EFT) South Melbourne
• Not for Profit, salary packaging benefits, flexibility & wellbeing support
• Collaborative, highly skilled team with career development opportunities

About Access Health and Community (AccessHC)

With a 150-year history and caring at our centre, our mission at Access Health and Community (AccessHC) is to build healthier lives together. We have a dedicated and experienced team of over 400 employees and 200 volunteers operating across 18 locations. Our people are the centre of everything we do and contribute to improving the wellbeing of the community every day.

Access Health and Community has recently announced the exploration of a merger with Inspiro. Our organisations have a long history of partnering together to improve health and wellbeing for our communities. We believe that a merger will be a significant and positive step for the delivery of services to our communities and provide opportunities for our people.

The opportunity

An exciting new opportunity to work within a truly supportive and values-based culture and engaged workforce. headspace South Melbourne, a part of Access Health and Community (AccessHC), is dedicated to providing mental health, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and well-being services, to young people aged Our mission is to create a supportive environment where young people feel empowered to seek help and thrive.

The role of the Community Engagement Worker reporting to the Manager, headspace (South Melbourne) is an important and valued member of the headspace team. This position involves developing and growing our community reach, reducing stigma associated with seeking help for mental health and AOD issues, and establishing strong partnerships with local organizations, schools, and community members.

The role will coordinate capacity building and community awareness events and liaise closely with headspace National Office in relation to national campaigns. Other duties will include providing leadership for and co-ordination of the headspace South Melbourne Youth Advisory Group (YAG) and supporting attendance of a young person representative at the headspace South Melbourne Consortium Meetings.

This role is critical in the development and growth of headspace South Melbourne and its community reputation. The Community Engagement Worker also coordinates the Centres' presence on the internet though social media and the headspace South Melbourne websites.

What you will be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with local schools, universities, youth hubs, and community groups with a focus on headspace priority groups including young men, LGBTIQA+ young people, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young peoples, young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, young people with alcohol or other drug issues and young people experiencing homelessness
• Implement activities/programs for young people, families/friends and the broader community which promote early help seeking
• Facilitate engagement with headspace and other relevant services with the support from both the hSM-YAG and AccessHC Health Promotion Teams
• Coordinate and support the Youth Advisory Group (YAG), including recruitment, induction, and training to YAG members and chairing monthly YAG meetings
• Develop and deliver youth-oriented health promotion community events and activities that promote good mental wellbeing and opportunities for social connection and engagement
• Represent headspace South Melbourne in professional networks and committees
• Facilitate community engagement groups and educational sessions to increase service access
• Participate in supervision and team meetings
• Document service activities within the required timeframes and report service activities in accordance with data collection standards
• Participate in service improvement initiatives and conduct evaluations of activities
• Provide support to reception when needed

What you will bring

Key Selection Criteria

Tertiary qualifications in health/social sciences, community development, youth work, health promotion or a related field, with a focus on community engagement and health promotion

• Minimum of 2 years' experience working in community, youth or mental health services or headspace services
• Ability to work respectfully and creatively with young people and families from diverse backgrounds, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTIQ+ communities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant software applications, use of social media and online platforms (such as Survey Monkey)
• Formal training in Youth Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention or other relevant courses relating to youth mental health

Attributes

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to continuous quality improvement and health promotion principles
• Genuine interest and passion working with young people and their family/friends
• Effective time management and prioritisation skills
• Well-developed presentation and report writing skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Demonstrated behaviours consistent with AccessHC values

Access Health and Community Culture & Benefits

At AccessHC, we offer more than just a fulfilling career; we invest in our people and provide an environment where you can thrive in a culture of collaboration and support. Our team members share commitment and passion to make a positive impact and this ethos creates a range of benefits for our people from opportunities for personal and professional growth to a sense of purpose and belonging.

Our culture promotes an environment of success and fulfilment. Join us and experience a career where you truly make a difference.

The position encompasses an extensive range of benefits:

• Supportive and values based culture and engaged workforce
• Culture of trust and empowerment for people to grow and thrive
• Commitment to a work-life balance with flexible working conditions
• Focus on staff wellbeing and health - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and career growth
• Paid parental leave and opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Annual leave loading
• Generous salary packaging opportunities(up to $15,990 per annum + $2,650 meals/entertainment expenses)

Read more about our culture and benefits:

Please click the web link to view our culture and benefits:

Apply Now

If you are excited about this new opportunity, please forward your resume and cover letter responding to the key selection criteria. Please refer to the position description for the key selection criteria information on our careers website:

For further information and/or if you would like the opportunity to discuss this role. Please contact Senior Manager Mental Health & AOD

We will be reviewing applications as they are submitted and may appoint the role before the end of date of the advertisement.

Applications close DATE : 31st May 2024

Access Health and Community (AccessHC) is a Child Safe Organisation that values inclusivity and diversity. We encourage applications from people with disabilities, those with lived experience of mental health and/or alcohol and other drugs (AOD) challenges, and those with diverse genders and sexualities.

At AccessHC, our vision for reconciliation is an Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience equitable health and social outcomes. Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) will contribute to achieving reconciliation. We will seek an understanding of and acknowledging histories and injustices, support the active expression of culture, build strong, trusting relationships, and apply culturally appropriate practices within our work.

We will work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to create a welcoming and safe place for everyone at our services. AccessHC acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to Wurundjeri Elders past, present, and future, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

As a vaccine positive organisation, we encourage COVID-19 vaccinations and require successful applicants to undergo a Working With Children Check, Police Check and potentially an International Check

Position Description