Service and Community Development Officer - headspace

headspace Bankstown have an exciting opportunity for a Service and Community Development Officer to join the team! In this role, you will work with a dynamic and innovative recovery-focused youth organisation to create partnerships with local organisations and members of the community!

The position available is permanent part-time working 3 days per week (45.6 hours per fortnight). An additional 2 days per week (30.4 hours per fortnight) is available due to additional funding until 30 June 2027, providing the opportunity to work full-time hours (76 hours per fortnight) during this period. 

• Working Monday to Friday
• Based at Bankstown
• Attractive remuneration package from $79,200 - $88,600 p.a + 12% Super + Tax-Free Salary Packaging!

About the Opportunity

The headspace Service and Community Development Officer plays a key role in promoting mental health and wellbeing for young people aged 12-25 by building strong community connections, increasing awareness of headspace services, and supporting early intervention initiatives. Working collaboratively with schools, community organisations, government agencies, and young people themselves, you will help create a coordinated community response that improves outcomes for young people and their families.

On a day-to-day basis, you will:

• Increase knowledge of mental health among young people, their friends and families, and the broader community.
• Develop and support initiatives which encourage a whole of community response to the health needs of young people in the region. 
• Have extensive knowledge of the community engagement and strategic partnerships across various organisations and Government departments. 
• Support the management of a headspace social media and web-based presence.
• Deliver training and education sessions on mental health for young people, such as bullying, peer pressure, alcohol and other drug use, and youth culture.
• Develop close partnerships with schools and other referrals sources such as youth organisations, sports clubs, and other local agencies.

Contact with young people who are often in crisis is fundamental to this role so it is essential that you have a high level of emotional intelligence and are comfortable working around children and youth. 

For more information on the Service and Community Development Officer role, please read the Position Description.

About headspace & Flourish Australia

One in four young people have experienced a mental health issue in the past 12 months – a higher prevalence than all other age groups. headspace provides early intervention mental health services to young people who present with mental health issues, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services. More information about headspace can be found at: www.headspace.org.au 

Flourish Australia has a long and proud history of providing recovery-oriented mental health services in Australia. We offer a range of services to meet the different needs of those with a lived experience of a mental health issue. This includes help with finding a home that is safe and secure, assistance with training and getting a job, or encouragement to develop friendships and learn new things. Our services are comprehensive and highly personalised because each person’s experience will be different and their needs, as an individual, are unique. Together we set goals, connect individuals with the right people, support services and opportunities to meet their needs.

Our positions are open to all suitably qualified applicants. We have a strong commitment to the participation of people with lived experience of mental health issues in our workforce. We value diversity and encourage applications from suitably qualified people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, LGBTQ+ communities and mature age candidates.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Qualifications in Human Services/social sciences or qualifications in project management, human resources, and/or community engagement (certificate, diploma and/or degree included) with extensive experience in a similar role.
• Relevant experience with working in youth health and knowledge of the impact of mental health in the community.
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, health promotion, public health behavioural/social sciences, communications, marketing education or youth work.
• Experience in the provision of education and training to groups of service providers, families and young people.
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of recovery focused and family inclusive practice.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to impart knowledge in a learning environment.
• Effective planning, problem solving, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including website management, social media, Adobe or other publishing software.
• Current Australian driver’s licence.

Desirable:

• Experience in writing grant applications and applying for funding from external sources. 
• Experience working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and LGBTQ+ young people. 

For further information, please contact Rebekah Lucas, Clinical & Operations Manager E: Rebekah.Lucas@flourishaustralia.org.au (please do not email applications).

About the Benefits

• Level 2 (HPSS) on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018)
• Tax-Free Salary Packaging available up to $15,900 + additional $2,650 for entertainment benefits such as meals and holiday accommodation
• Exclusive personal fleet pricing discounts with our preferred automotive supplier
• Generous leave provisions including 17.5% leave loading + 2 additional days of personal leave + Christmas/New Years Gratis Day + 10 weeks paid primary carer parental leave + purchased annual leave program
• Regular supervision (reflective practice), ongoing 1:1 mentoring 
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential wellbeing support
• Opportunities for professional development and training to obtain mental health specific qualifications such as Mental Health First Aid, Certificate IV or Diploma in Mental Health or Employment Services and ASIST Suicide Prevention training
• Workplace community groups- Rainbow Network for LGBTQ+ staff members & allies and YarnUp Group for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members 
• Employee discounts program at 400+ popular retailers (Woolworths, JB HI FI, Rebel, Myer, Booking.com etc.)

All appointments with Flourish Australia's Mental Health Services are subject to an NDIS Worker Screening clearance, a National Criminal History Check, a WWCC, previous employment reference checks, satisfactory Australian residency status and other background checks. 

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please complete all the questions asked. You will then be required to attach a copy of your resume on the following page, we encourage you to have your resume up-to-date and available before you commence the application.

Applications close 5pm 13th October. Apply now!