Vocational Specialist headspace

headspace; Canterbury-Bankstown Council; On-site; AUD 88,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization in Bankstown is seeking a part-time Vocational Specialist. This role focuses on supporting young people with mental health issues to achieve their vocational and educational goals. Responsibilities include developing individual support plans, facilitating workshops, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The position offers an attractive salary starting at $88,000 per annum with tax-free benefits. Applications are encouraged from all qualified backgrounds, including those with lived experience of mental health issues.

Benefits

Tax-Free Salary Packaging up to $15,900

Generous leave provisions

Career progression and professional development opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Regular supervision and mentoring

Qualifications

• Experience in vocational rehabilitation or a related field.
• Knowledge about mental health issues affecting young people's access to opportunities.
• Ability to develop individual support plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop individual support plans for young people.
• Support young people to achieve vocational and education goals.
• Facilitate workshops to promote the vocational recovery program.

Skills

Demonstrated experience in employment services

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Well developed interpersonal skills

Proven ability to meet program achievables

Ability to effectively manage competing demands

Education

Current Australian Drivers Licence

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Client information management system

Job description

headspace has an exciting opportunity for a Vocational Specialist to join our established Bankstown team!

The position is :

• Closed‑term Part‑time (45.6 hrs / fortnight) until 30 June 2026
• Working between Monday and Friday
• Attractive salary starting at $88000p.a. (pro‑rata) 12% super Tax‑Free Benefits!
• Based in Bankstown

About the Opportunity

headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation supporting young people aged 12‑25 years with their mental & general health care needs. headspace provides young people with the opportunity to seek help early. headspace brings together local health services under one roof making it easier for young people and their families to find the information they need.

As the headspace Vocational Specialist you will support young people experiencing mental health issues to achieve their vocational and education goals. Reporting to the headspace Vocational Coordinator you will work within the Individual Placement Support (IPS) program which aims to improve the educational and employment outcomes of young people with mental health concerns who are at risk of disengaging from education and employment.

On a day‑to‑day basis you will :

• Work with young people to develop individual support plans that set realistic goals and plan strategies to overcome identified barriers to engage in employment and/or education
• Support young people to achieve their vocational and/or education goals
• Engage young people to ensure they link to suitable employment opportunities
• Facilitate professional development workshops to promote the vocational recovery program
• Work closely within a multidisciplinary team to provide integrated and holistic care to young people including active participation in clinical review meetings and other meetings to promote the vocational program to clinical staff.
• Develop partnerships with employers, training providers, educational institutions, community organisations and other health professionals

To find out more about what it means to be a Vocational Specialist please review the Position Description.

About headspace and Flourish Australia

One in four young people have experienced a mental health issue in the past 12 months, a higher prevalence than all other age groups. headspace provides early intervention mental health services to young people who present with mental health issues along with assistance in promoting young peoples covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug information. About headspace can be found at:

Flourish Australia is one of Australia's most experienced community mental health organisations. Our purpose is to support people to flourish, believe in their futures and become contributing members of the community. Our services are comprehensive and highly personalised because each person's experience will be different and their needs as an individual are unique. Together we set goals, connect individuals with the right people, support services and opportunities to meet their needs.

Our positions are open to all suitably qualified applicants. We have a strong commitment to participation of people with lived experience of mental health issues in our workforce. We value diversity and encourage applications from suitably qualified people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQ communities and mature‑age candidates.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in employment services, vocational rehabilitation, career development or a related field.
• Emerging knowledge of issues that impact young people with mental health issues when accessing employment and/or educational opportunities.
• Proven ability to meet program achievables within agreed timeframes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Well developed interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to effectively manage competing demands.
• Demonstrated ability to fully use Microsoft Office Suite and the client information management system.
• Current Australian Drivers Licence.

Desirable

• A personal lived experience of a mental health issue.
• Emerging knowledge of the local area and its health services and other community services.
• An understanding of the Individual Placement and Support model.
• Good knowledge of the employment services sector, Centrelink and other state and federal employment initiatives that impact young people.

For further information please contact Aniela Gokiert, Senior Clinical Manager (please do not email applications).

All appointments with Flourish Australias Mental Health Services are subject to a National Criminal History Check, a WWCC, previous employment reference checks, satisfactory Australian residency status and other background checks. All successful applicants will be required to declare any private or secondary employment prior to commencement in line with Flourish Australias Private or Secondary Employment Policy.

About the Benefits

• Level 4 (SCHCADS) on the Flourish Australia Enterprise Agreement (2018)
• Tax‑Free Salary Packaging available up to $15,900
• Generous leave provisions including 17.5% leave loading and 2 additional days of personal leave, extra day paid leave over Christmas / New Year, paid parental leave
• Family‑friendly and flexible working conditions
• Opportunities for career progression, professional development and training such as Mental Health First Aid, ACT CBT courses and ASIST
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential wellbeing support
• Regular supervision (reflective practice), ongoing 1:1 mentoring and strong team support
• Workplace Community Groups such as our Rainbow Network for LGBTQ staff members & allies and YarnUp for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members
• Exclusive personal Fleet pricing discounts with our preferred automotive supplier
• Employee discounts at 400 popular retailers (Woolworths, Expedia, Myer, Kmart, etc.)

How to Apply

To apply for this position please complete the questions below. You will then be asked to attach a copy of your resume on the following page; we encourage you to have your resume up-to-date and available before you commence the application.

Applications close 5pm 4th of December. Apply now!

Key Skills

Sales Experience, Crane, Customer Service, Communication skills, Heavy Equipment Operation, Microsoft Word, Case Management, OSHA, Team Management, Catheterization, Microsoft Outlook Calendar, EHS

Employment Type

Part-Time

Experience

years

Vacancy

1