First Nations Liaison Support Officer

The Southport School; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

The Southport School on the Gold Coast seeks a First Nations Liaison Support Officer to strengthen connections between First Nations identities and school culture. You will advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and work with families, staff and community partners to support wellbeing, engagement and leadership.

Key duties include mentoring students, building trust with Elders and external organisations, and promoting reconciliation initiatives across the school while

Qualifications

• Experience supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families or communities will be highly regarded.
• Experience in education, youth work, wellbeing, community engagement, cultural programs or a boarding school environment would also be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally responsive support, mentoring and advocacy for First Nations students.
• Strengthen relationships between students, families, the School and First Nations communities.
• Support student wellbeing, engagement, cultural identity and participation in School life.
• Promote and celebrate First Nations cultures and contribute to reconciliation initiatives across the School.
• Work collaboratively with teaching, wellbeing and boarding staff to support positive student outcomes.
• Build connections with Elders, community organisations and external partners.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Advocacy

Collaboration

Professionalism

Confidentiality

Boundaries

Cultural awareness

Education

Relevant qualifications in education, youth work, community development, social services, cultural studies or related field

Job description

(10 Hours per week during the school term weeks)

The Southport School is one of Queensland's oldest and most respected independent schools, combining proud traditions with innovative educational programs that inspire boys to discover their passions and strive to become their best.

We are seeking a culturally knowledgeable and relationship-focused First Nations Liaison Support Officer to join our team in 2027. TSS is an Anglican day and boarding school for boys from Preschool to Year 12, located on the Gold Coast. Our School provides a nurturing environment in which boys are encouraged to become confident, compassionate and responsible young men, grounded in the Anglican tradition.

About the role

The First Nations Liaison Support Officer will play an important role in strengthening the connection between First Nations identity and the culture of TSS. Working with students, families, staff and community partners, the successful candidate will provide culturally responsive advocacy, guidance and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The role will contribute to student wellbeing, academic engagement, cultural identity, leadership development and participation across all areas of school life.

This position will also help build strong and respectful relationships between the School, First Nations families, local Elders, communities and partner organisations.

Key responsibilities

The First Nations Liaison Support Officer will:

• Provide culturally responsive support, mentoring and advocacy for First Nations students.
• Strengthen relationships between students, families, the School and First Nations communities.
• Support student wellbeing, engagement, cultural identity and participation in School life.
• Promote and celebrate First Nations cultures and contribute to reconciliation initiatives across the School.
• Work collaboratively with teaching, wellbeing and boarding staff to support positive student outcomes.
• Build connections with Elders, community organisations and external partners.

For a comprehensive overview of the role and responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description.

About you

You will bring a strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and contemporary issues, together with the ability to build respectful and trusted relationships with young people, families and community members.

You will also demonstrate:

• Strong interpersonal, communication and advocacy skills.
• A commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive educational practices.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, staff and external agencies.
• Integrity, professionalism and sound judgement.
• An understanding of confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• A commitment to the Anglican ethos and values of the School.
• Relevant qualifications in education, youth work, community development, social services, cultural studies or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Experience supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families or communities will be highly regarded. Experience in education, youth work, wellbeing, community engagement, cultural programs or a boarding school environment would also be advantageous.

Mandatory requirements

The successful candidate will be required to hold:

• A current paid Queensland Working with Children Paid Blue Card.
• A current Queensland driver licence
• Current First Aid and CPR qualifications
• Be willing to support the Anglican Schools Code of Conduct and stated values and Christian Ethos of the School. Candidates must be able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate professional boundaries and standards when working with children and young people and provide a recent criminal history check upon appointment

At TSS, we are committed to helping both students and staff reach their full potential in a culture built on:

• Teamwork –working together with trust, respect and authenticity
• Scholarship – pursuing lifelong learning and excellence
• Service – making meaningful contributions