Children' Support Officer

Located 20km west of Sydney on Dharug country, with a population of 240,000 residents, Cumberland City Council is the fourth most populous Local Government Area in Greater Sydney. Cumberland boasts one of the most diverse communities in Australia, with people from many different backgrounds and cultures living alongside one another.

Our people are focused on driving community outcomes, programs and services to innovate, inspire and deliver change for the community we represent and has worked hard to fulfil its community’s vision for Cumberland as a place where anyone can feel **welcome**, **belong **and **succeed**.

**ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY**:
The Children and Youth Development team is responsible for the delivery of children, youth and family programs and initiatives across the LGA with a focus on child protection and community development. The team leads Council’s actions in the Child Safe space and maintains Cumberland as a leading Local Government Child Safe Organisation.

The team deliver amazing programs and projects each year including School Holiday Programs, Youth Week, Bush School, Story Times and Child Protection Week events.

The Children’s Support Officer is responsible for implementing children’s programs, projects and delivering child protection initiatives and will be held accountable for the successful delivery of key strategies, projects and programs across the following functions:

- Contributing to the delivery and evaluation of the Cumberland Children and Family Strategy projects and programs across the following functions:

- Child Protection: Organisational and community strategies including children’s participation
- Children’s programs, projects and initiatives
- Sector intervention in the children and families sector.

The successful applicant will require:

- Tertiary qualification in education, community services, social science or a related field.
- Demonstrated skills and experience in working with children and families from a broad range of backgrounds including culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
- Demonstrated skills in facilitating the involvement of children in the planning, delivery and evaluation of programs and activities.
- Demonstrated project management skills, including sound knowledge and experience in planning, implementation and evaluation of project, programs and initiatives, and managing a diverse range of tasks with competing priorities and changing deadlines.
- Demonstrated understanding of child protection, including issues and legislation, risk management, responding to incidents and disclosures.
- Demonstrated highly developed interpersonal skills, including ability to develop and maintain effective relationships, develop reports, formal correspondence, promotional material and presentations.
- Exceptional communication (written and oral) skills, including high level presentation skills and experience in report writing.
- High level administrative and organisational skills, including attention to detail, ability to maintain accurate records and advanced skills in Microsoft Office.
- Current Class C Driver’s licence.
- Valid Working with Children Check Clearance Number.
- Current First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis Certificate (or willing to obtain).

Download the position description here for more information.

**About this role**:

- 1x Permanent full-time position
- working 70 hours per fortnight, with core hours between 8:00am to 4:30pm, however may be required to attend events, meetings and programs afterhours or on weekends.
- Access to Council's 9 day fortnight Accrued Day Off (ADO) arrangement
- Located at Council's Merryland's Office and may be required to work across any of Council’s work locations

**Salary information**: The salary and conditions of employment are in accordance with the NSW Local Government (State) Award.
- Grade 8 of the Cumberland Salary Structure with a salary range of $1,336.51 to $1,536.98 per week plus 11.5% superannuation
- The commencing salary will be negotiated, taking into consideration the successful applicant's qualifications, skills and experience related to the role
- Mobile phone

**WHAT WE CAN OFFER**:

- We promote work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements including working from home opportunities or up to an additional five (5) days' leave for front-facing roles that are unable to access working from home arrangements
- Training and professional development opportunities available to develop skills and grow your career
- Leave entitlements including annual leave,** **15 days personal leave per year, parental leave and access to Long Service Leave after five (5) years (where applicable)
- Three (3) additional grant days of paid leave over Christmas (where applicable)
- Corporate Health Insurance discounts
- Health and Wellbeing Programs to support our staff by providing access to online professional learning, paid leave to undertake annual skin checks, COVID-19 vacc