Community Connections Officer

CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Emerald, Longreach, Woorabinda, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay

A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being an Employer of Choice.

Connected Beginnings

The vision of the Connected Beginnings Program is to provide all children with a great start by improving their wellbeing prior to school, with a specific focus across education, health, and family services. The initiative will particularly address the needs specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families living in Hervey Bay using a collective impact approach to determine unique and community-owned goals and strategies to connect families to support services and improve the ability of children to achieve a positive transition to school.

Connected Beginnings is funded to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children under 5 years. Community is a key part of this initiative and they are recognised as the experts. This position is responsible for amplifying the voice of the community in Connected Beginnings and supporting the implementation of culturally appropriate strategies for the Connected Beginnings Initiative.

Purpose of the Position

The role of the Community Connector is to capture the voice and experiences of community to shape the understanding of issues and ensure Aboriginal families and children's voices are heard.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Working with others to co-design new ways of working using community conversations and using local knowledge to gather community data, narratives and stories of lived experiences feeding this back into the action plan.
• Ensure CQID has a positive reputation in the region.

1. Support CQID's appropriate participation in community events and participation of community in CQID events and initiatives
2. Represent CQID at appropriate forums and networks

• Attending community meetings, local level alliance meetings, representing the programs interests.
• Administrative work, intaking incoming referrals, following up on client's referrals ensuring needs are met. Reporting back to the Community Engagement Officer and Project manager on outcomes.
• Event co-ordination.
• Generate reports as required.
• Providing transport to families.
• Building partnerships with local Aboriginal organisations and community groups that hold cultural authority, to support and elevate community leadership ensuring Aboriginal people lead the decision making.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal families as well as established links to the Aboriginal community.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally safe manner and maintain effective working relationships including setting clear professional boundaries while ensuring confidentiality and privacy are maintained.
• Demonstrated understanding of "child safe" environment.
• Develop and maintain an Elders network to inform Connected Beginnings strategic direction.
• Monitor the environment for issues, outcomes and report back to supervisor.
• Work with the team to achieve the goals of a cohesive, functional and focused team.
• Develop and maintain appropriate documentation and accurate data and case noting always seeking to continually improve.
• At all times work within CQID's Workplace Health & Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Other responsibilities as directed by the Project Manager.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Qualification in Human Services, Community Development, Early Childhood Education or relevant experience
• Holds a current C Class Queensland Driver's Licence
• Current Working with Children Check, 'Blue Card'
• Experience at successfully collaborating with and developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Significant experience performing a similar role in professional settings
• Demonstrable capacity to meet deadlines
• Community knowledge and connections
• Desktop research capability and strengths and experience in project planning and project management

Desirable

• Tertiary qualification in communications or similar field
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or is accepted as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the community in which he or she lives [Note: Non-Indigenous applicants will only be considered if no suitable Indigenous candidates are attracted in the first round of applicants]
  
• Experience in coordinating and facilitating community engagement events and activities within an allocated budget

Skills and Attributes

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage
• Competent in use of Microsoft Office software
• Commitment to the work and success of CQID
• High level of motivation, self-management and organisational skills
• Reliability and time management
• Emotional intelligence, teamwork and leadership
• Problem solving