Trainee Employment Services Mentor

Join Our Team as a Trainee Employment Services Mentor at Saltbush

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals facing employment barriers? Saltbush is seeking a dedicated and culturally aware Trainee Mentor to join our Employment Services team in Darwin.

Position Details:

• Location: Darwin
• Employment Type: Permanent Full-time
• Excellent Remuneration: $70k+ 11.5% super + salary packaging + 5 weeks annual leave
• Reports To: Employment Services Management Team
• Hours: Normal business hours, with occasional additional hours as required to meet business needs, including some out-of-hours flexibility when necessary
• Travel: Travel to regional locations where Saltbush operates may be required and will be planned in advance with mutual agreement

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 place where stories of strength and resilience come together. We are 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: As a Trainee Mentor within Saltbush Employment Services, you will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide strengths-based mentoring and coaching to support individuals who have experienced multiple and complex barriers to workforce participation.

You will learn and apply a strengths-based approach to planning and goal setting using mentoring, coaching, reflective conversations, and encouragement to facilitate meaningful learning and positive outcomes.

This is a supported learning role. You will work under the supervision of a Senior Mentor and receive ongoing guidance, including developing a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in employment and education pathways, ensuring all interactions are culturally appropriate, respectful, and collaborative.

Additionally, you will undertake components of the Saltbush 11055NAT Course in Mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Mentors to enhance your mentoring skills and knowledge.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

To ensure success in your role as a Trainee Employment Services Mentor, you will:

Mentoring & Participant Support

• Support Senior Mentor to provide one-on-one mentoring and coaching to participants, supporting their personal and professional development.
• Collaborate with Senior Mentor and Trainers to assist in the development of individual learning and employment plans with clear, measurable goals.
• Work with Senior Mentor and Trainers to assist participants in overcoming challenges and barriers to learning, employment, and personal growth.
• Guided by a dedicated Senior Mentor, you will help facilitate access to external support services as needed, ensuring cultural sensitivity and appropriateness.

Learning & Development

• Work under the supervision and support of a Senior Mentor to develop capability across all aspects of the role.
• Complete components of the Saltbush 11055NAT Course in Mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Mentors.
• Participate in buddying, shadowing and guided practice sessions to build mentoring skills.
• Learn to apply mentoring and coaching strategies that promote self-determination and sustainable employment.
• Build an understanding of culturally safe and trauma-informed practice when supporting participants.

Program Delivery & Participant Support

• Assist in delivering professional case management to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers using a strengths-based approach.
• Support participants in identifying goals, working through challenges, and building individual action plans.
• Participate in screening, interviews, and program entry assessments.
• Contribute to both structured and flexible workshops that support learning in group or one-on-one settings.
• Assist in mentoring sessions to monitor progress and support participants in goal achievement.
• Support placement readiness and participation in employment or training programs.

Collaboration & Engagement

• Work closely with Mentors, Trainers, Counsellors, and the Industry Engagement Officer to support participant progress.
• Liaise with employment service providers and stakeholders to ensure coordination and compliance.
• Facilitate access to external services and supports while ensuring cultural sensitivity and appropriateness.
• Where appropriate, engage with family or community members to support participants' success.

Communication, Promotion & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of attendance, engagement, and progress in line with program evaluation requirements.
• Assist with internal reporting and updates for stakeholders and funding partners.
• Gather and share success stories for use in social media and approved marketing channels.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by actively engaging in team planning and reflection.

Essential Selection Criteria

• Ability to understand and share the feelings of others, providing emotional support to mentees.
• Creative problem-solving skills that promote resilience and encourage ownership in participants.
• Capacity to remain patient and resilient, particularly when facing setbacks or challenging situations with mentees.
• Ability to work effectively within a team, collaborating with mentors, trainers, and counsellors to deliver holistic support.
• Strong communication skills across a range of platforms including face-to-face, phone, email, social media, written reports.
• Competence in using Microsoft Office suite and willingness to learn new systems for data entry and insights.

Employment is Subject to the Provision of the Following:

• National Police Clearance (no more than three months old)
• NT Working with Children (OCHRE) Card
• Current Driver's Licence
• Current First Aid
• Evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with individuals who have complex needs, while maintaining confidentiality.
• Active listening skills and the ability to provide constructive feedback to ensure mentees feel heard and supported.
• Flexibility to adapt communication styles and approaches to suit different individuals and situations.
• Ability to mediate disputes and resolve conflicts in a respectful and culturally appropriate way.
• Capability to inspire and encourage mentees to set and achieve their personal and professional goals.
• Ability to build networks with service providers, community organisations, and employers to support mentees' pathways.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accurate records.
• Familiarity with local community resources and services that can benefit mentees.
• Experience working in Employment Services, particularly with Aboriginal job seekers.
• Relevant qualification in Employment Services, Community Services or a related field.

Ready to Make a Difference? We're looking for someone who's ready to start this journey with us. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear your story.

Interviews will begin as soon as we find the right people, so don't wait—reach out today.

How to Apply: Share your resume and answer the employer questions.

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