Youth Employment Specialist

MA MISSION AUSTRALIA; Taree; On-site; AUD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission Australia is hiring a Youth Employment Specialist in NSW to support young people aged 15–24 in gaining sustainable employment, apprenticeships or further education.

You will conduct assessments, develop tailored plans, and connect participants with employers while collaborating with services across the region. A commitment to child safety and Mission Australia values is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in youth services, employment services or related community services desirable
• Tertiary qualifications in youth, employment services or community services advantageous
• Computer literate with Microsoft Office and related software
• Flexibility to travel regionally as required
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a wide range of people
• Proactive and flexible approach to competing priorities
• Commitment to child safety, confidentiality and Mission Australia values
• Driver's licence

Responsibilities

• Work with approximately 50 young people to help them gain sustainable employment or education opportunities
• Conduct holistic assessments to identify barriers to employment
• Offer ongoing encouragement, advice and motivation to help participants stay in work or education
• Develop tailored job plans and regularly review progress
• Undertake participant marketing and promotion activities to connect them with employers
• Undertake job-matching activities to facilitate placements
• Develop and manage relationships with stakeholders including Services Australia and youth agencies
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with Mission Australia policies
• Identify and respond to wellbeing concerns and create safe environments in line with National Principles for Child Safe Organisations

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Driver's licence

Computer literacy

Travel flexibility

Proactive approach

Child safety awareness

Education

Tertiary qualifications

Job description

Permanent Full Time| 38 Hours per Week Location: Taree and Forster NSW $81,987 + Super + Not for Profit Salary Packaging

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

Mission Australia's Transition to Work Program works with young people aged 15-24 who have left school early, or who are having difficulty finding employment. We help young people to develop the skills and confidence they need to move into work or ongoing education (including apprenticeships and traineeships), and we provide no-cost employment services for employers looking to recruit young workers. As a Youth Employment Specialist, you will support young people aged 15–24 to gain sustainable employment, apprenticeships, traineeships, or further education. You will help participants overcome both vocational and non-vocational barriers, build employability skills, and connect them with meaningful opportunities in the community.

Key responsibilities

• Work with approximately 50 young people to help them gain sustainable employment or education opportunities
• Conduct holistic assessments to identify barriers of employment
• Offer ongoing encouragement, advice and motivation to help participants stay in work or education
• Develop tailored job plans and regularly review progress to ensure effectiveness
• Undertake a range of participant marketing and promotion activities to introduce them to employers including cold calling, direct marketing activity's introduction and interview support.
• Undertake job-matching activities to facilitate job placements.
• Develop and manage strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders including Services Australia, Workforce Australia Providers, Housing, Mental Health Services and relevant youth agencies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and ensure compliance with Mission Australia policies and procedures
• Identify and respond to concerns about the wellbeing of young people and create safe and supportive environments in line with National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

Requirements for Success

• Experience in youth services, employment services or related community services desirable
• Tertiary qualifications in youth, employment services or community services is advantageous
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office packages and other operating systems
• Flexibility to travel across the region as required
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with a wide range of people
• A proactive and flexible approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• A commitment to child safety, confidentiality, and Mission Australia's values
• Driver's licence

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 including: 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.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

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 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.