Community Connector - Connected Beginnings

Kummara; Ipswich City; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrificing up to $15,900.00

Fulltime 76 hours per week

Professional development and training

Job summary

Kummara Ltd. seeks a dedicated Community Connector for its Connected Beginnings Ipswich program.

You will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (0–5) and their families, strengthening engagement with early childhood education, health and family supports while building trusted relationships in the community. You’ll collaborate with existing ECEC, schools and health providers to ensure culturally safe, coordinated support and contribute to outcomes that support children’s

Qualifications

• Experience with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
• Understanding of culturally safe practice and local services.
• Background in community engagement or family support fields.
• Knowledge of early childhood education and health/family services for 0–5.
• Ability to build partnerships with families, providers and schools.
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work autonomously within a small team.
• Experience capturing feedback and program outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Uphold and contribute to the vision and community-led approach of Kummara.
• Collaborate as a member of the Connected Beginnings team.
• Build trusting relationships with families, Elders and community members.
• Facilitate community engagement activities and consultations.
• Help families access education, health and family support services.
• Support families to identify goals and navigate services.
• Engage with community reference groups and service providers.
• Promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in advisory groups.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and collective impact initiatives.
• Attend meetings, supervision and professional development.

Skills

Community engagement

Cultural safety

Communication

Autonomy

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office 365

Education

Certificate III or IV in Community Services or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams)

Job description

Community Connector - Connected Beginnings

Kummara Ltd.is a not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled organisation established in 1999 to provide support to vulnerable and at risk families. The organisation's objective is to support the long-term wellbeing and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

Kummara offers many programs and works in partnership with families for the achievement of independence and strengthening of the family's capabilities. We believe in the strengths of family and community and have developed a strong reputation for engaging and supporting our community.

ABOUT CONNECTED BEGINNINGS PROGRAM - IPSWICH

Connected Beginnings is an Australian Government initiative that aims to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children the best start in life. Delivered across 50 sites nationally, the program works to improve access to early childhood education and care, health, and family support services, helping children to be safe, healthy, and ready to thrive when they start school.

Kummara Connected Beginnings Program is committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in Ipswich and surrounding communities. Using a collective impact approach, the program brings together families, community members, Elders, early childhood services, schools, health providers, and other stakeholders to identify community priorities and create local solutions that strengthen outcomes for children.

Our vision is for every child to have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through strong connections to family, culture, community, education, and health services.

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate, culturally strong, and community-minded Community Connector to join our Connected Beginnings team.

In this role, you will work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-5 years, their families, Elders, community members, and service providers to strengthen engagement with early childhood education, health, and family support services.

As a trusted and familiar presence within the community, you will build genuine relationships with families, support them to identify their goals, navigate local services, and participate in activities that enhance children's wellbeing, development, and readiness for school.

You will also work collaboratively with Kummara's existing programs, Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services, kindergartens, schools, health providers, and community organisations to ensure families can access culturally safe, responsive, and coordinated support.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families while contributing to a community-led program that values culture, connection, and self-determination.

Key Responsibilities

• Uphold and contribute to the vision, values, and community-led approach of Kummara.
• Work collaboratively as a valued member of the Connected Beginnings team.
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, Elders, and community members.
• Facilitate community engagement activities, events, and consultations that promote family participation and community voice.
• Support families to access and engage with early childhood education, health, and family support services.
• Assist families to identify goals, navigate service systems, and strengthen their connections to community supports.
• Establish and maintain relationships with existing and emerging community reference groups, stakeholders, and service providers.
• Foster Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation and participation in local advisory groups, networks, and collaborative initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities and collective impact initiatives that support improved outcomes for children and families.
• Attend team meetings, supervision, training, and professional development activities as required.
• Provide sound cultural advice to all stakeholders regarding culturally appropriate practice in the delivery of an integrated service system across health, education, and family services.
• Capture community feedback, stories, outcomes, and data to demonstrate program impact and identify emerging needs.
• Capture local community voices in identifying and communicating gaps, needs and solutions for families to engage with health, education, and family services.

Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, communities, and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and contemporary issues, with the ability to apply cultural knowledge and promote culturally safe practice.
• Experience in community engagement, community development, family support, or related fields that contribute to positive outcomes for children and families.
• Knowledge of the early childhood, health, and family support service systems, particularly those supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-5 years.
• Ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively with families, community members, service providers, schools, and government and non-government organisations.
• Well-developed verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while contributing positively to a small team environment.
• Experience collecting and recording client information, community feedback, and program outcomes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Certificate III or IV in Community Services, Family Support, Early Childhood Education and Care, Indigenous Primary Health Care, or a related field (or willingness to obtain).
• Current Queensland Driver Licence.
• Current Blue Card (Working with Children Check), or the ability to obtain one before commencement.

This role is designated as Indigenous Identified. Under s.25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), it is a genuine occupational requirement for the incumbent to be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

What We Offer

• SCHADS Award position (depending upon experience and/or qualifications)
• Salary sacrificing (up to $15,900.00)
• Fulltime (76 hours; Mon - Fri)
• Professional development and training opportunities