Urgent First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator, Part-time/Sessional, VIC

First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator

Salary: $88,090- $94,788 pro rata (commensurate with skills and experience)

Deadline: 16 Oct 2025, 11:00 am

- Werribee location | Onsite parking + close to public transport
- Join a new program | Support First Nations young people

About Orygen

Orygen is Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and the largest translational research organisation dedicated to youth mental health in the world.

For over 30 years, Orygen has led groundbreaking early intervention and developed evidence-based models of care to improve the mental health outcomes of young people aged 12-25.

About the job

As a First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator, you will provide strength-based, culturally safe support and mentoring to young people and families from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds requiring mental health support.

This is a newly developed role within a brand-new program seeking to reduce stigma and identify and address barriers that may impact on young, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people’s engagement to access mental health care.

Reporting to the Clinical Services Manager you will:

- Provide culturally informed care by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families/carers, ensuring their voices are central in care planning, referrals, and service engagement.
- Contribute to assessment, treatment planning, and social and emotional wellbeing support, while promoting cultural consultation opportunities for staff and embedding cultural perspectives in clinical decision-making.
- Co-design, deliver, and oversee First Nations programs, including groups, community workshops, and events, while coordinating program evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Provide leadership and operational support to First Nations team members, including facilitating wellbeing meetings, program evaluations, report writing, and liaising with the Clinical Services Manager.
- Build and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and local communities to enhance pathways, referrals, and awareness of headspace services.

(ONLY INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY AS THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT UNDER THE SPECIAL MEASURE PROVISION, SECTION 12(1) OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT 2011 (VIC)

Skills and experience

The following criteria must be met for consideration for this position:

- Certificate IV in Aboriginal Health Care Practice, or other relevant post-secondary qualifications in Health, such as Certificate IV in Mental Health, Youth Work or Community Development.
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background and demonstrated experience in working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people and their families.
- Sensitivity to experiences that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people may have had; this may include difficulties in their social and emotional wellbeing; physical health problems; difficult family experiences; or challenges with work and study.
- A sound knowledge of local Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander communities and relevant organisations.
- Capacity to develop effective working relationships, collaborations and partnerships with a range of services within the broader community service system, particularly ACCOs.
- $88,090 - $94,788 pro rata commensurate with skills and experience + 12% superannuation and $15,900 in NFP salary packaging + $2,600 meals and entertainment card.
- Make a real impact on young people in a dynamic, youth-centered environment.
- Support Orygen's mission for youth mental health and contribute to positive social change.
- Be part of a team that values collaboration and innovative thinking, driving impactful results.
- Ability to purchase additional leave; access to EAP; generous Parental Leave Scheme.
- Benefit from a location that is easily accessible by public transport and offers amenities that support a healthy work-life balance.

How to apply

If you’re ready to make a difference in youth mental health and be part of a collaborative, innovative team, apply now.

For the full position description, visit https://www.orygen.org.au/getmedia/b496cdf0-a6d1-4a88-8b33-e586d0d2acbd/FN-Social-and-Emotional-Wellbeing-Coordinator-Sept-25-Werribee.pdf.aspx

This is a part time (0.4 - 2 days per week) role until December 2027.

We welcome applicants interested in working across both Melton and Werribee. A combined 0.8 FTE (4 days per week) position is available—please note this preference in your cover letter.

Applications will close on 16th October (11am), unless a suitable candidate is found sooner.

Before applying at Orygen, it’s important to understand that you may encounter sensitive information related to mental health as part of your work. Being aware of this and how it could affect you is essential in deciding if this is the right opportunity for you.

Orygen is committed to providing diverse, equitable and inclusive environments for Staff and anyone connected to Orygen. We strive to continue building a culturally safe workplace where our values underpin the way we work and our commitment to First Nations people of Australia, young people and their families, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ people and CALD communities. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people.

Orygen is a child-safe organisation and is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and well-being of all young people and embedding safeguarding practices into all our programs and services. All employment appointments are subject to holding a valid working with children check and successful police check.

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