Education Fist Youth Development Worker

**Education First Youth Development Worker**
- Not-for-Profit. Help for Young People to participate in social, economic and community life.
- Permanent Part time - 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday
- SCHADS Award - CASH Employee Level 2, commencing $43.08 per hour
- Australian Citizens and Permanent resident holders only
- **First Nations Peoples are encouraged to apply**

**Benefits**
- Increase your take home pay with Salary Packaging tax-free benefits
- Work locally
- office based in Penrith with travel to various sites within Nepean, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury & Cumberland LGAs.
- Monthly Supervision, Learning & Development, opportunity to work across teams, Employee Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs, Flexible Work Practices, Annual Family Picnic Day and additional cultural supports for Aboriginal staff, just to name a few

**About Us**

Platform Youth Services is a growing not-for-profit based youth homelessness service, that has provided holistic services to vulnerable young people who are at risk of homelessness or who are experiencing homelessness in the Nepean, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury areas for over 45 years.

We exist to help vulnerable young people have the opportunities, skills, and support they need to actively participate in their social and economic communities. Our culture is built on the core values; Integrity, Aspiration, Respect, Advocacy, Connection and Perseverance

**About the role**

The primary purpose of the Education First Youth Development Worker role is to provide case management and coaching support to young people within the Education First Program, empowering them to achieve their goals, develop independence, and secure or maintain employment, education, or training opportunities beyond their time with Platform.

This role forms part of the Education First Team and collaborates closely with other Platform programs, as well as external service providers such as schools, TAFE, universities, and community-based support organisations, to ensure young people stay connected to their local community.
- We are looking for a motivated and dedicated Youth Development Worker to join our dynamic team who:_
- Has an interest and passion for creating independence in young people with knowledge of the range of issues facing homeless youth
- A consultative and collaborative working attitude
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Commitment to a learning culture and ongoing professional development
- Ability to engage, relate and communicate successfully with people from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to maintain an ethical, inclusive and non-judgmental attitude
- Alignment with and modelling of Platforms core values; integrity, aspiration, respect, advocacy, connection and perseverance.

**Selection Criteria**

**The skills and experience required to be considered for this role include**:

- Sound experience working with youth in the Education or Community Services sectors
- Experience in youth engagement and training/ employment models
- Understanding of youth homelessness causes and effective intervention strategies
- Strong knowledge of youth development coaching techniques including case management and goal setting.
- Experience in promoting a culture that empowers young people and supports their aspirations, aligning to the Advantaged Thinking approach
- Ability to think innovatively and creatively to develop tailored client solutions.
- Proven experience or the ability to quickly gain knowledge in areas relevant to Education First models, Advantaged Thinking, pathways to stable housing, vocational education, employment, and career pathway programs.
- High-level communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to foster effective relationships and communicate clearly with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and abilities to increase opportunities for young people.
- Strong knowledge and experience working in Trauma Informed Care and Person Centred Practice frameworks.
- Knowledge of Child Protection Legislation reporting requirements.
- Strong planning and organisational skills, with an ability to be self-directed, plan, prioritise and organise work to meet program planning and delivery objectives and deadlines.
- Sound proficiency in using Client Information Management systems and other IT systems, including Microsoft office.

**Qualifications, Checks and References**
- Tertiary qualifications in Education, Community Services or a related discipline and/or equivalent skills, knowledge and industry experience.
- Evidence of Australian Citizenship or Permanent residency
- Unrestricted Current 'C' class Driver’s Licence as you may be required to work across any of Platforms sites in the Nepean, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury areas
- A valid National Police Clearance and Working with Children Check
- Two referees, including current or most recent manager.

**How to apply**

If you are passionate about