Employment Engagement

Partner With Employers, Drive Inclusion – Become Our Engagement & Partnerships Specialist

About Us

Ability Works are an award-winning non-profit organisation based in Kew (VIC) and committed to "Purpose Through Employment", which we achieve through a variety of programs including our social enterprise, Employment Services, and Inclusive Design.

We create individually tailored employment opportunities for people living with all types of disability and those experiencing barriers to employment, to discover their potential and enhance their lives. We provide training and support for both social enterprise and mainstream employment opportunities, so that individuals can feel purpose, pride and belonging through employment. We believe everyone deserves the same opportunities to work but people living with a disability and those who experience social disadvantage often experience significant barriers through traditional recruitment practices. Our focus is on an individual's strengths, while implementing methods that break down barriers and create opportunities tailored to the needs of the individual and businesses.

About the Opportunity

Working within our Employment Services team, and supported by other specialists, you will explore insights into individual's interests, passions, motivations, opportunities and skills and use those insights to engage with industry and employers to create employment opportunities that lead to sustainable and meaningful employment outcomes. This will involve:

• Working one on one with people with disabilities and their families/carers to understand their strengths and support them to achieve their employment goals – this can involve meeting them in their own home or in the community and/or supporting them with exposure to their interest areas.
• Receiving comprehensive evidence-based training and support in Customised Employment practice and methodology.
• Engaging with businesses that align with the individual's strengths and skills. Negotiating jobs with businesses that align with the person to achieve mainstream employment outcomes.
• Help shape the future of inclusive work through our new Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program and existing NDIS-funded service, utilising Customised Employment approaches.
• Completing detailed and timely case notes, reports and meeting all requirements under IEA.
• Contributing to promoting our Customised Employment service to a range of stakeholders including schools, support coordinators, NDIS planners, Local Area Coordinators and family networks and contribute to presentations on topics related to Customised Employment (face to face and/or webinars).

Key Requirements

The successful candidate could come from a wide range of backgrounds including disability/ mental health/ allied health/ education/ community development/ social work/ occupational therapy. We seek mature, well rounded, community connected and caring individuals with real empathy and interest in helping people achieve their goals – and with the confidence to represent others in discussions with employers. Prior experience in employment services (DES) is NOT required.

You must also:

• Value diversity and building inclusive environments where people experience belonging.
• Display effective interpersonal and relationship building skills – with the ability to interact and collaborate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Have a current NDIS clearance and Working with Children Check, or the ability to obtain.
• Hold a valid Driver's License and have access to a reliable vehicle
• Believe that there is a job out there for everyone.

Desirable:

• Have relevant Formal qualifications (e.g. Community Services/ Allied Health/Disability) and experience with people with disabilities and/or other barriers to employment.

Sound like you?

Apply online now. For any specific questions related to the role, please contact Kim at using the subject line: Employment Engagement & Partnerships Specialist role enquiry.

We welcome applications from all talent – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, mature-aged workers, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with lived experience of disadvantage.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment process to support your full participation, please let us know via the above contact or by calling Ability Works Australia is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and accessible workplace where everyone can thrive.