Youth Development Officer

• Based in Bannockburn
• Fixed term, part time role until 30 June 2026
• 22.8 hours per week spread across 3 days (Tues, Wed and Thurs) 10am – 6pm

Golden Plains Shire Council provides a workplace where people matter, communities are connected, and the future is bright. We offer a diverse range of career pathways in meaningful roles with a sense of purpose where you can grow and thrive.

To continue to deliver for our community, we are seeking a Youth Development Officer who will co-design, develop and deliver of a range of programs and initiatives consistent with youth participation frameworks. This includes a focus on delivering programs after school at the Youth Hub and in the central and north of the shire.

Exciting times are happening within the Youth team As we are expanding our programs into the North of the Shire so this role will be based across Bannockburn however as our programs expand the Youth Development Officer will work across Smythesdale and surrounding towns.

This role will provide you the opportunity to:

• Develop and deliver a range of inclusive youth events, activities, programs and projects that benefit the mental health and wellbeing of young people, including promoting social and community connection, pathways and skill development, advocacy and activism.
• Assess, develop and review youth services programs and events to meet the needs of the Golden Plains Shire community, with an emphasis on developing central and northern engagement.
• Promote and provide a positive, safe and engaging culture at the Golden Plains Youth Hub and other venues across the Shire including accessible and meaningful activities and opportunities to all young people across the shire.
• Contribute a creative, innovative and collaborative approach towards enhancing the diversity and relevance of activities and events provided for young people.
• Lead the delivery of a range of youth and community wellbeing events, activities and programs, during normal working hours, evenings and weekends. Core deliverables include:
• Delivery of a variety of youth and community focused programs
• Lead the engagement and delivery of programs in the central and northern areas of the Shire
• Support a range of wellbeing programs and in-school engagements
• Actively support youth and Community Wellbeing projects
• Positively and proactively engage with young people, the wider community, and key stakeholders to enhance overall wellbeing
• Provision of exceptional customer service to support the delivery of Council's youth services.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Two to three years of relevant experience and study in the fields of Youth Work, Community Development or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, facilitating and evaluating a wide range of programs and activities for young people which may include youth leadership, wellbeing programs and in-school engagements
• Ability to establish and sustain positive rapport that motivates and empowers young people to become active citizens within their community.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the need to establish and implement professional boundaries when working with young people to maintain safe and appropriate relationships.
• Demonstrated experience implementing projects and achieving outcomes within budget and timeframes.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Current valid Victorian Driver's Licence and current Working with Children Check.

We care We thrive We grow

Our people are passionate, collaborative and deeply committed to both the community and the work they do. This commitment is felt from the moment you step through the doors, in every interaction and in the way we celebrate our collective achievements.

We care about our community and our people, provide flexibility and support so you can thrive and offer a diverse range of opportunities to support your personal and professional growth. We are dedicated to fostering this culture, because we know that our people are the key to the future growth and success of Golden Plains Shire.

We offer:

• Learning and development opportunities aligned to your role and aspirations, along with opportunities to work on a variety of projects and undertake secondments
• Flexible work arrangements to empower you to achieve better life/work balance
• A modern, high-quality, architectural designed working environment with free onsite parking
• An environment where health, safety and wellbeing are prioritised in all that we do
• An active Social Club
• Ability to transfer years of service from Government organisations and transfer of LSL balance within Local Government and with some government organisations
• Generous leave entitlements including:
• Up to 16 weeks primary & up to 3 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchased leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about the role and the key selection criteria, please view the Position Description below or, for a confidential discussion, contact Helena Walsh, Team Leader Youth Development on

If you feel this role aligns with your interests, skills and experience, we'd love to hear from you ASAP.  Applications for this role will be assessed as they are received, so don't wait too long

APPLY NOW

Click on Apply to submit your application and following the prompts.

Please address the key selection criteria (KSC) in your cover letter or use the KSC to guide your responses to the online questionnaire when submitting your application.

For further tips and tricks to help you shine during the recruitment process, visit our website.

We encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments or additional support you may require during the recruitment process, as well as how this role can be flexible for you. Please contact our People & Culture team at to discuss how we can best support you.

Applications close on THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 at 11.59PM

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace that allows staff to bring their whole selves to all that they do.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing a safe workplace that embraces and values child safety, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the value and diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to the heritage of all Australians and our workplace.

We wholeheartedly believe that the decisions we make and the services we deliver benefit from having a workforce representative of the community we support - that the diversity of thought, experience, insights and background will ensure the needs of the broader community are considered in all we do. We encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.