Youth Connections Officer - Alice Springs

Job No: 17003

Location: Alice Springs, NT

About the Organisation

‘STEPS is a vibrant Employment, Training and Community Services organisation established to enhance our community by empowering people to maximise their potential’.

In 1989 STEPS was established, with a focus of bringing self-esteem and quality of life to people with a disability, through assisting them to attain gainful employment.

STEPS' Community Services and Training Divisions have since been launched, delivering a broader range of services with the same commitment to the original values and mission of the organisation.

STEPS' principal Funding source is the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), and is a quality accredited organisation, operating in accordance with the Disability Service Standards and the Australian Quality Training Framework.

About Life in Alice Springs

Year round blue skies, stunning landscapes and vibrant, diverse and warm communities - that's life in the Northern Territory! Only a short flight from most Australian cities, Alice Springs is not just a must see destination renowned for its identity and rich cultural heritage, but is a remarkable community to set up home in!

Alice Springs is one of the remotest places in the world, but it's no country town. The Alice is a major communications and commercial centre, with services you would find in any Australian city. It has a world-class teaching hospital, a university, two shopping malls, numerous private and public schools and a variety of recreational facilities. Because of its size and remoteness the Alice is home to a close-knit and engaged community.

People from all walks of life find themselves calling Alice Springs home.

About the Opportunity

STEPS has an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated Youth Connections Officer to join its team in Alice Springs.

Reporting to the Site Manager, the main aim of this role is to provide flexible and tailored Youth Connection services to assist young people, at risk of disengaging or disengaged/severely disengaged, to remain in education or to reconnect back into education and training.

Some of the key responsibilities of this role will be:

• Conducting initical assessments to determine eligibility, group placing and service delivery needs of participants;
• Developing innovative engagement strategies and effective re-engagement plans to maximise social and educational outcomes;
• Providing appropriate counselling, skill development in career planning and support services;
• Facilitating youth focused activities for young people with the purpose of engaging severely disengaged youth; and
• Effectively liaising, building and maintaining relationships/partnerships with key stakeholders including education and other training providers, government deparments and other support organisations.

The successful candidate will hold tertiary qualifications in Education, Youth, Social Work or a related field as well as a Mental Health First Aid or other relevant qualification (or willingness to obtain on confirmation of employment). Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is also highly desirable.

Your skills and experience will be supported by knowledge of local education systems, programs and services available to young people and an understanding of issues affecting young people's engagement and learning.

Additionally, you will have demonstrated case management experience in youth work, social work or a related field and previous experience in the delivery of youth programs in remote indigenous communities, with a working knowledge and understanding of the social, politcal and cultural environments of indigenous Australian communities.

A current C Class driver's licence and National Police Check for Working with Children are essential. The ability and willingness to travel extensively and stay in remote communities in the Alice Springs and MacDonnell regions of NT is also an integral part of this position.

This is a pivotal role within STEPS offering real rewards and job satisfaction. Joining this friendly team and dynamic organisational culture, you will never be bored!

You will be encouraged to maintain a healthy work/life balance, as well as ongoing professional development supported by the organisation.

In return for your hard work and dedication, you will be rewarded with a competitive base salary circa $53,334.40 + 5% remote loading. Salary sacrificing options also exist, to increase your take-home pay!

If you're interested in supporting a team of talented professionals, Apply Now!

Please note this position is a fixed term ending 31 December 2010.