Youth Specialist - Ohana Academy

Save the Children Australia; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading child rights organization is seeking two Youth Specialists in Cairns to work within the Ohana Academy program. The successful candidates will facilitate activities to enhance social and emotional wellbeing, provide mentorship, and support young people with complex needs. Ideal candidates will have experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and understand complex intergenerational trauma. The position offers a competitive salary and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Generous salary plus super and salary packaging

Individual learning plans

Extra leave benefits

Professional supervision training

Access to Employee Wellbeing Program

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Demonstrated skills and experience working with young people in contact with the justice system.
• Experience in youth work or case management roles.
• Understanding of complex intergenerational trauma.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate activities to increase wellbeing and life skills.
• Develop and maintain trusting relationships with clients.
• Provide mentoring and advocacy for young people.
• Identify additional assistance and provide referrals.

Skills

Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth

Youth work experience

Mentorship

Understanding of trauma

Job description

54 reasons, in partnership with Ohana for Youth, is excited to announce the launch of a new holistic educational and wellbeing program, Ohana Academy, specifically for young people in contact with the youth justice system in Cairns. We’ll be supporting these young people with a wraparound crew of specialist teachers, teacher aids, youth support and family support staff.

We’re looking for people just like you: innovative, creative and compassionate; to provide Integrated Case Management to young people within the School through:

• Flexible engagement and holistic assessment
• Therapeutic case planning and 1-1 mentoring
• Family support and parent coaching
• Group-based activities to learn new skills and heal from trauma

54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation – no ordinary not-for-profit.

Proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and global movement, we’re here to make sure that children and young people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity.

With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide quality services to children and their caregivers in every state and territory, and across regions, remote areas and capital cities. From our programs to our support services - this is the place to realise your purpose.

Where you come in:

We’re currently looking for two innovative Youth Specialists to join the team. In these full-time, maximum term roles (until 31 December 2026, with a strong possibility of extension), you’ll work as a part of the Ohana Academy team in Cairns to help us create lasting change for young people.

You will make a difference by:

• Facilitating activities designed to increase young people’s social and emotional wellbeing, life skills and education attainment
• Developing and maintaining trusting relationships with clients and their families
• Providing practical support, mentoring and advocacy for young people with complex needs
• Identifying where additional assistance and external services are required, providing appropriate information, support and referrals

A place to feel valued:

Your expertise in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and families will be invaluable. You’re compassionate, flexible and an innovator, with a passion for supporting young people to achieve their goals.

This role requires:

• Demonstrated skills and experience working with young people in contact with the justice system, and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
• Demonstrated experience in youth work / case management roles
• An understanding of complex intergenerational trauma

A place to belong:

At 54 reasons, we invest in the development and wellbeing of our people. Our workforce is approximately 600 people strong, and proudly diverse, whether in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures and beliefs.

We offer a range of rewards for your effort, including:

• Generous award rate salary (Level 4.1 – currently $44.58 per hour) plus super and full salary packaging benefits
• Individual learning plans to help map and deliver on your career development
• Extra leave to use in a range of ways to ensure you’re able to perform at your optimum
• Supportive Managers – we provide professional supervision training and monthly supervision sessions so you can feel supported and build a career at Save
• Support for workplace wellness, including access to our free, confidential Employee Wellbeing Program
• Celebrate and feel supported in your diversity.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

Applications Close: Wednesday 15th October 2025.

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.