Student Support Officer – Toowoomba

Summary:

We are seeking a caring, committed and proactive individual to join our team in Toowoomba supporting Indigenous children on Yalari scholarships. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing support to students in all areas of their academic and personal lives during the school terms. This role requires experience working with young people and in particular Indigenous youth in an educational setting. Strong cultural awareness, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are crucial.

About Us

For nearly two decades, Yalari has been changing the lives of Indigenous children from remote and regional communities, by providing scholarships to Australia's leading boarding schools. In 2024, we proudly support over 250 students on their boarding school journey at 24 partner schools, with over 550 accomplished alumni who are making their mark across the nation.

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Responsibilities:

• Meeting with scholarship students face to face on and off school campuses.
• Developing strong working relationships with key stakeholders including parents/ guardians and partner school staff.
• Facilitating students' active participation in Yalari activities and events.
• Encouraging and supporting students to reflect Yalari's core values.
• Providing educational, social, and emotional support to students within a framework of increasing independence, relevant to the age of the student.
• Encouraging students to develop a robust sense of cultural self, maintain cultural connections and actively participate in cultural activities.
• Case management including reporting and record keeping as required by the position.
• Working closely with others in the Yalari Student Support Team to support individual students and the wider Yalari student cohort across Australia.

Capabilities:

• Bachelor's degree in education, counselling, or a related field is advantageous but not essential
• Experience working with youths aged 12-17 years in a higher education setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Exceptional ability to build relationships with both the Yalari scholars, their families and the school
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of student support services and resources
• Aptitude for using technology-based case management systems
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information

Additional Requirements of the position:

1. Availability to work outside of business hours. Most of the contracted hours will be afterschool, evenings, and weekends. This role is currently scoped to be 15 hours a week.

2. Availability to travel at least four times each year to Yalari Head Office (Gold Coast) to attend training, development and team building sessions.

3. Full availability of contracted hours in the first and last week of all school terms and for the Yalari Orientation Camp held on the Gold Coast (one week) in mid-January each year.

4. Hold, or have the ability to hold a current Working with Children Card and National Police check.

5. Have a non-restricted driver's license with a good driving record and use of your own vehicle with full comprehensive insurance.

6. Capacity to establish a home office with travel to partner school(s) as a regular part of the position. The vast majority of contracted hours require face to face interaction with students at their boarding school(s).

How to apply

Please submit your resume and a one-page cover letter telling us a little about yourself and why you are interested in this position.

To discuss the role confidentially please contact Jade Taylor on Yalari is committed to offering workplace flexibility options to our staff. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Applications will close on September 22nd,