Youth Refuge Specialist

WAYSS; Greater Dandenong; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,900 (pro‑r‑

Flexible casual shifts

Job summary

WAYSS is seeking a Youth Refuge Specialist to operate from a 10-bed youth refuge in Dandenong, providing support, advocacy, and practical assistance to young people navigating homelessness. The role uses an Advantaged Thinking framework to promote pathways to independent living or safe family reunification.

You will engage young people with trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches and collaborate with case managers to achieve positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Qualifications or experience in youth work or related fields.
• Experience in community services, ideally with young people and housing support.
• Skills in risk assessment, advocacy, referrals, and residential youth work.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, adolescent development, and homelessness.
• Strong relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, adapt to changing priorities, and contribute to service improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage young people using trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches.
• Provide practical support and collaborate with case managers to achieve positive outcomes.
• Facilitate referrals and connect young people with essential services.
• Participate in youth programs such as Living and Life Skills.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and secure crisis accommodation environment.
• Advocate for young people, including support with belongings and relocation.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and organisational policies.

Skills

Evening work

Sleepover shifts

Risk assessment

Advocacy

Referrals

Residential youth work

Trauma-informed practice

Tools

Driver's Licence

Working with Children Check

Job description

• CASUAL Hourly Rate: $58.38 – $62.81 (SCHADS Level 4 casual rate + shift loading where applicable)
• Salary Packaging Benefits up to $15,900 (pro-rata based on hours worked)
• Inclusive, Supportive & Values-Driven Organisation

Make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.

Wayss is the largest provider of homelessness, housing, and family violence services in South East Melbourne. We exist to ensure people have access to safe, sustainable, and affordable housing. Our vision is to be the leading provider of social housing and client support programs in the Southern Melbourne Metropolitan region.

Our Services for Young People team provides transitional support and crisis accommodation for young people aged 16–25 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We help young people build independence by improving access to stable housing, income support, and social connections.

About the Role

As a Youth Refuge Specialist, you’ll be based at our 10-bed youth refuge located in Dandenong, providing support, advocacy, and practical assistance to young people navigating homelessness. You’ll work within an Advantaged Thinking framework to empower young people and promote pathways to independent living or safe family reunification.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engage young people using trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches.
• Provide practical support and collaborate with case managers to achieve positive outcomes.
• Facilitate referrals and connect young people with essential services.
• Participate in youth programs such as Living and Life Skills.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and secure crisis accommodation environment.
• Advocate for young people, including support with belongings and relocation.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and organisational policies.

About You

You’re a compassionate and resilient professional who thrives in a dynamic, client-focused environment. You bring:

• Must be available to work evenings and sleepover shifts.
• Qualifications or experience in youth work or related fields.
• Experience in community services, ideally with young people and housing support.
• Skills in risk assessment, advocacy, referrals, and residential youth work.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, adolescent development, and homelessness.
• Strong relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, adapt to changing priorities, and contribute to service improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Valid Employment Working with Children Check
• Successful completion of pre-employment screening, including police and identity checks

Why Join Wayss?

• Be part of a purpose-driven organisation making real change.
• Work in a supportive, inclusive, and values-led culture.
• Access professional development and training opportunities.
• Flexible casual shifts to suit your lifestyle.

For enquiries, contact Tamara Leishman, Team Leader, Emergency Youth Accommodation on 03 7037 6***.

Wayss is proud to be an inclusive and child safe organisation. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must be prepared to undertake a National Police Check and possess a valid Working with Children Check.

Wayss is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to being an organisation that embraces a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion within our workforce and approach to service delivery.

We encourage people with lived experience to apply for roles at Wayss.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic communities, people of all ages and LGBTIQ people.

Wayss is a proud Rainbow Tick accredited organisation that welcomes everyone across the LGBTIQ community.