Peer Engagement and Service Coordinator

Iaawg; Coffs Harbour City Council; On-site; AUD 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Not-for-profit salary packaging

Counselling services

Volunteering opportunities

Additional annual leave

Thank You Day off

Work Anniversary Day off

Job summary

Mission Australia is recruiting for a Peer Engagement and Service Coordinator in Coffs Harbour. This permanent full-time role involves 35 hours weekly, with a rotating roster across two shifts.

The position emphasizes peer support, housing access support and community connections to help residents progress toward longer-term housing outcomes. Applicants must have lived experience, strong communication skills and the ability to work with service partners.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of homelessness, mental health challenges, AOD or similar support experience.
• Ability to build trust and foster a safe, welcoming environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with residents and partners.
• Provide peer support, referrals and early engagement while maintaining boundaries.
• Strong organisational and digital skills including accurate record keeping.
• Current Australian Driver's Licence and First Aid & CPR, willingness to obtain.
• National police check and clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Responsibilities

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with residents using lived experience to foster connection.
• Provide peer-informed, recovery-oriented support that empowers residents toward goals.
• Welcome new residents, orientate them to the service and foster belonging.
• Connect residents with housing, community and wellbeing supports via referrals.
• Collaborate with Case Workers and partners for coordinated care.
• Support day-to-day operations and maintain a safe, welcoming environment.

Skills

Lived experience

Relationship building

Communication skills

Digital records

Tools

Client management systems

Job description

Full Time, Permanent role | 35 hours per week. Part-time applicants seeking a job share arrangement are encouraged to apply. Work hours: Mon -Fri, working 8 am - 4 pm and 12 pm- 8 pm. Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450. Salary: 41.45 dollar per hour + Super + Not for profit salary packaging benefit.

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

Be part of a pioneering new Supported Temporary Accommodation service in Coffs Harbour that is changing how people experiencing homelessness access safe accommodation and support. As the Peer Engagement and Service Coordinator, you'll play a central role in creating a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for people staying at the service.

Drawing on your lived experience, you'll build trust, foster connection and support residents to engage with the service through peer-informed and recovery-oriented practice. You'll help create a place where people feel respected, included and hopeful about their future. This is a diverse role that combines peer support, resident engagement and service coordination. You'll welcome new residents, provide orientation to the site, support people to access housing and community services, encourage participation in activities and help people maintain connection while progressing towards longer-term housing outcomes. You'll also contribute to the effective day-to-day operation of the accommodation service, supporting site processes, shared spaces and a safe, respectful community living environment.

We have 1 permanent full-time role available, working a rotating fortnightly roster between 8:00am - 4:00pm and 12:00pm - 8:00pm, Monday to Friday. Applicants must be available to work both shifts. Part-time applicants seeking a job share arrangement are encouraged to apply. Lived experience is an essential requirement for this role.

Key responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with residents using your lived experience to foster connection, hope and engagement.
• Provide peer-informed, recovery-oriented support that empowers residents to identify goals, build confidence and work towards positive outcomes.
• Welcome new residents, support their orientation to the service and create a safe, inclusive and respectful environment where people feel they belong.
• Connect residents with housing, community and wellbeing supports through information sharing, practical assistance and warm referrals.
• Work collaboratively with Case Workers, Housing Pathways Specialists and community partners to support coordinated, person-centred care.
• Support the day-to-day operation of the accommodation service, helping maintain a safe, welcoming and well-functioning environment for residents.

Requirements for success

• Demonstrated lived experience of homelessness, mental health challenges, alcohol and other drug use, recovery, or supporting others through similar experiences.
• Ability to build trust, foster connection and create a safe, welcoming environment for people accessing the service.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with residents, colleagues and community partners.
• Ability to provide peer support, practical assistance, referrals and early engagement while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Strong organisational and digital skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and use client management systems.
• Current Australian Driver's Licence and First Aid & CPR Certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Your benefits

• 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
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Extra leave includes: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

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.

About 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 alongside 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.