Youth and Family Services Officers (3 positions)

  • Base/Location:Njernda Youth & Justice Services, 55 Annesley Street, Echuca and  other locations as requested
  • Reports To:Children and Youth Services Manager
  • Hours:Full time 37.5 hours per week, 40 hrs per week on shift for overnight residential work. Oncall casual positions also available. Residential work is Monday to Friday and Weekends.
  • Award:SCHADS Award Level 3
  • Position Scope:

    The Njernda Youth and Family Services Officer position aims to promote healthy lifestyles by supporting parents and supporting young people to stay at school, engage in sport, transition to training or further education, connect with culture and community. Our residential services provides for safe transitioning and support of families requiring temporary accommodation and case work intervention to assist with issues. The position works proactively with the family unit providing a safe and nurturing environment to equip and empower them to make positive change. Residential work requires overnight sleepovers.

 

Organizational Values

Respect Establishing relationships based on respect and trust
Accountability Taking ownership and initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed
Resilience Encouraging cultural and spiritual growth to enable personal growth
Advocacy Working to transform the disadvantage and challenge that causes impact on our community
Cultural Sensitivity Welcoming and serving our community with understanding and without judgement

 

 

Key Responsibilities

Youth and Family workers assess individual clients’ personal needs and devise rehabilitative, counselling and support services. They assist young people with any behavioural, emotional or social disadvantage. Njernda Youth and Family Workers operate in a number of settings, such residential and case work support, youth hub, outreach, and engage with young people and families in public spaces. The Youth and Family worker provides advice on issues such as drug rehabilitation, mental health, youth justice, social & emotional well-being, education, homelessness and employment services.

  • Identify and respond to children and young people at risk to provide individual advice, counselling, groups and support services including outreach and the delivery of youth activities
  • Support parents by creation of a warm, respectful, secure and structured environment for all families and children in care
  • With residential programs assist in the development of an appropriate set of rules and expectations in conjunction with the residents, Centre staff and the Manager and act as positive role models to the residents
  • Maintain clear and professional relationships with the families in residential programs
  • Raise client awareness of other existing youth programs
  • Provides a service that integrates with other Njernda services and program to provide a comprehensive and holistic service to clients.
  • To work with families to provide a framework for working with, supporting and empowering children, young people and parents to devise methods of coping and maintaining wellbeing and a healthy lifestyle.
  • Liaise with external stakeholder to provide a tailored program to assist the client to be empowered to access and engage in services which aid their life journey.
  • Create and maintain a child safe environment and act in the best interest of children and young people.
  • Attend to all administrative requirement of the role including data collection, report writing, supervision, performance review, training and development, attendance at forums and staff meetings.

 

 

Selection Criteria
  • A proven knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal people and Aboriginal culture.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with children and their parents/caregivers demonstrating understanding and empathy to affect positive change and drive, and self-empowerment and improve their health and wellbeing.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the needs of at-risk Aboriginal young people, and advocate on their behalf.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a challenging environment, possess sound negotiation skills and understand your limits and have a good coping style utilising patience, tolerance and resilience while dealing with children youth and families-parents/caregivers.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide activities and supports that genuinely interest and engage young people, empowering them to make positive choices.
  • Proven capacity to establish effective working relationships with a wide range of services and professionals.
  • Demonstrated experience facilitating group work and case work with young people.
  • The ability to assess client needs, care and cultural plans, and maintain records on information systems.
  • The ability to work autonomously and as part of a team and manage time effectively.

 

Commitment to Safety

All children have the right to be children and live free of abuse and neglect, so they can grow, learn, and develop. Everyone within Njernda is responsible for ensuring a culture of child safety; preventing child abuse and abiding by the Child Safety Principles

 

 

Other Relevant Information
  • The successful applicant will be required to undergo satisfactory pre-employment checks, including providing at least two professional referees, completion of a medical declaration, Covid 19 immunisation declaration, Police Records Check, Working With Children Check, Victorian Driver’s License, and proof of identify and qualifications.
  • Commitment to equal opportunity and occupational health and safety                                  principles and practices is required.
  • Must be reliable and be able to do day, evening or night shift, including overnight stays and sleep overs.
  • You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury you know about which could be affected by the described work duties. Under section 82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act, failure to disclose such a pre-existing illness or injury will mean that, if employed, you will not be paid compensation for that condition.

 

To be Eligible for an Interview

The Applicant MUST address the Key Selection Criteria and include a recent resume.

Address your application marked: “Private & Confidential”

To:             Corporate Services Manager

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation

P.O. Box 21 Echuca Vic 3564

Email         jobs@njernda.com.au

  • Written applications should include a covering letter. Please include the names and telephone contacts of at least two referees.
  • Please check the closing date to ensure your application is received within the specified time. Applications may be posted, emailed, hand delivered or faxed (provided that a hard copy is posted on the same day).

All applications close: 21st Apr 2023