Community Engagement Officer

Ma Mission Australia; Shire Of Meekatharra; On-site; AUD 49,000 - 57,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Counselling & chaplaincy support

Volunteering opportunities

Fitness Passport

Extra leave and remote area leave

Job summary

Mission Australia is seeking a Community Engagement Officer in Meekatharra, WA to support the Remote School Attendance Strategy, working with families, schools and local organisations to improve attendance.

You will build relationships, assist with school lunches, bus runs, and administrative tasks, with emphasis on cultural respect and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Qualifications

• Full driver licence with no restrictions.
• Ability to respond sensitively to people under financial stress.
• Strong community connections, knowledge of Meekatharra region preferred.
• Excellent communication, especially with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Experience in community service or education support with youth and families.
• Respect for culture and Aboriginal protocols.
• Strong computer skills including data entry.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, record, and follow up on school attendance, including visiting homes and engaging with parents and carers to encourage regular attendance.
• Work with school staff on addressing low attendance and participate in follow-up visits to support improved engagement.
• Assist with preparing school lunches and support the school canteen when needed, including sourcing food items and managing resources effectively.
• Support the daily school bus run and encourage students by maintaining motivation and interest in education.
• Complete administrative tasks such as data entry, reporting, and maintaining accurate records within required systems.
• Contribute to the smooth functioning of the service by maintaining a clean office environment and working effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Communicate calmly and professionally with community members, including supporting individuals who may be experiencing heightened emotions, while maintaining clear personal boundaries.

Skills

Driver licence

Empathy

Community networks

Cross-cultural communication

Data entry

Food handling

Adaptability

Education

Relevant degree or diploma in community services/education support

Job description

• Permanent Part Time Contract 22.8hrs over 5 days a week
• Location: Meekatharra WA 6642
• $49,141 + super + NFP salary packaging benefits

Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need.

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

As the Community Engagement Officer, you will contribute to the Remote School Attendance Strategy, an important program that supports families, communities, and schools to improve school attendance. This is an on-site position based in Meekatharra, where you will work closely with young people, parents, families, local organisations, and agencies in line with the NIAA RSAS Attendance Activity Plan to help children attend school regularly, on time, and for the full school day.

You will build trusting relationships with community members, encourage families to be involved in schooling, and support their aspirations and strengths. The role also provides practical, culturally respectful assistance that strengthens engagement with education and creates positive outcomes for children and young people.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Monitor, record, and follow up on school attendance, including visiting homes and engaging with parents and carers to encourage regular attendance.
• Work with school staff on addressing low attendance and participate in follow up visits to support improved engagement.
• Assist with preparing school lunches and provide support to the school canteen when needed, including sourcing food items and managing resources effectively.
• Support the daily school bus run and encourage students by maintaining motivation and interest in education.
• Complete administrative tasks such as data entry, reporting, and maintaining accurate records within required systems.
• Contribute to the smooth functioning of the service by maintaining a clean office environment and working effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Communicate calmly and professionally with community members, including supporting individuals who may be experiencing heightened emotions, while maintaining clear personal boundaries.

Requirements for Success

• You must have a full driver licence with no restrictions.
• Ability to respond sensitively and appropriately to people who may be experiencing financial stress and provide support or referral where needed.
• Strong community connections and an understanding of local relationships, ideally with knowledge of the Meekatharra region or similar remote environments.
• Effective and adaptable communication skills, particularly when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Strong experience in a community service, education support, or similar role where you have worked with young people and families.
• Respect for culture and an understanding of Aboriginal cultural systems, protocols, and community expectations.
• Strong computer skills including confident use of digital systems, data entry, and general administrative tasks.
• Relevant degree with at least one years’ experience, Associated Diploma with relevant experience or less formal qualifications with substantial years of relevant experiences.
• Experience in food preparation and confidence supporting canteen operations when required.

Your Benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support.
• Volunteering opportunities
• Fitness Passport
• Extra leave available including an additional public holiday, additional annual leave day on your work anniversary and the opportunity to purchase further annual leave.

Very Remote Benefits Include:

• Additional $1,000 each year to help with cost of living in a remote area
• 5 weeks Annual Leave
• Access to up to 5 additional days Personal/carers leave each year

Our Culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career. We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [e-mail] or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at [e-mail].

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia.

Mission Australia is a national Christian charity motivated by a shared vision of an Australia where everyone has a safe home and can thrive. Since 1859, we’ve been standing beside people in need across Australia, offering real hope that has lasting impact. Backed by our supporters, churches, partners, and funders, we work together for the long-term wellbeing of anyone who needs us, reflecting our values of respect, compassion, integrity, perseverance and celebration. We collaborate with people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage to tackle the root causes of their challenges through providing access to safe, affordable homes and innovative, evidence-based support services. Every day we deliver homelessness crisis and prevention services, provide social and affordable housing, assist struggling families and children, address mental health issues, fight substance dependencies, support people with disability and much more. Mission Australia believes a person’s circumstances shouldn’t define their future and that given the right support, everyone can reach their full potential. That’s why we stand together with Australians in need, until they can stand for themselves. Learn more about Mission Australia and our purpose.