Youth Vocational Specialist

Royal Flying Doctor Service; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance

Novated leasing

Private health insurance discounts

Fitness Passport membership

RemServ Rewards

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

headspace Cairns is seeking a Youth Vocational Specialist to help young people aged 12–25 achieve education and employment goals using the IPS model. This permanent full-time role sits within integrated clinical services, collaborating with families, employers and clinical teams to deliver wrap-around support.

You will engage with employers, deliver vocational recovery training, and work with a team dedicated to youth-friendly practice and inclusive service delivery, in Cairns.

Qualifications

• Experience in employment services, vocational rehabilitation or related field.
• Experience engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in a culturally safe way.
• Current Blue Card and Driver's Licence.

Responsibilities

• Support young people referred by headspace staff and partners with employment or study goals.
• Manage a caseload, working with clinical teams, families and employers to support outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal and external services to ensure wrap-around support.
• Prepare and maintain accurate, confidential client records and case notes.
• Contribute to the annual Activity Work Plan.

Skills

Employment services

Stakeholder engagement

Vocational rehabilitation

Driver's licence

Blue Card

Cultural safety (Aboriginal & Torres5)

Education

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Tools

Electronic medical records

Job description

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people?

At headspace Cairns, our dedicated team is committed to providing professional, flexible, and youth-friendly mental health services. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, adaptability, and our shared goal of helping young people thrive.

We're currently looking for a Youth Vocational Specialist to join our team. In this permanent full-time role, you'll be a key part of our integrated clinical services, helping young people with mental health challenges achieve their education and employment goals through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. This program supports people aged 12-25, including those still in school, young people who have left school, and adults considering tertiary study, training, or career pathways.

Service Delivery

• Support young people referred by headspace staff and partners who need help with employment or study goals
• Manage a caseload, working closely with clinical teams, families, and employers to support positive outcomes
• Collaborate with internal and external services to ensure seamless, wrap-around support.
• Prepare and maintain accurate, confidential and legally appropriate client records and case notes
• Contribute to the development and completion of the annual Activity Work Plan

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with employers, education providers, and community services to create job opportunities for young people

Integration with the headspace Team

• Deliver training workshops to staff, community groups, and other organisations to promote vocational recovery
• Work closely with the broader headspace team to ensure coordinated, high-quality services.

Youth-Friendly Practice

• Engage with young people in a respectful, developmentally appropriate way
• Offer flexible, strengths-based support that empowers young people and respects their autonomy

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for a collaborative, encouraging, and inspiring team member with experience in building strong stakeholder relationships and maintaining mutually beneficial connections with employers. You'll be someone who is flexible, always placing the client at the centre of your support, and embodies our values of Inclusion, Collaboration, Agility, and Excellence. You'll bring:

• Demonstrated experience in employment services, vocational rehabilitation, career development or a related field
• A current Blue Card and Driver's Licence
• The ability to engage with employers and advocate for young people
• A strong understanding of the barriers young people face in employment and education
• Proficiency with client databases, electronic medical record systems and social media tools
• Confident working with reporting portals and digital reporting tools
• Experience building professional relationships and networks
• Knowledge of the employment services sector and relevant government initiatives
• Experience engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and communities in a culturally safe way

It is highly advantageous to have education and qualifications within relevant study areas such as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Why Join Us?

At headspace and the RFDS (Queensland Section), our people are our priority. When you join our team, you'll benefit from:

• A passionate, highly skilled team driven by best practices
• A competitive salary from 75K plus superannuation
• Generous tax-free benefits up to $18,550 (not-for-profit salary packaging)
• Relocation Assistance is available if you are relocating to Cairns
• A strong focus on staff wellbeing, supported by our Social & Wellbeing Committee and Employee Assistance Program
• A genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion, welcoming people from all backgrounds and identities
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (including counselling, nutrition, financial, and legal advice)
• Novated leasing options and private health insurance discounts
• Fitness Passport membership – discounted access to gyms and health centres for staff and families
• RemServ Rewards - cashback benefits on purchases from hundreds of leading Australian retailers, including groceries, fashion, technology, and travel

About headspace Cairns

headspace Cairns is a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 12-25, offering support across mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drugs, education, and employment, as well as assistance for families and carers. Operated by RFDS (Queensland Section), headspace Cairns has been supporting young people since 2006. headspace and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the Traditional Custodians of the land. headspace and the RFDS are committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of healthcare. We embrace diversity and welcome all people irrespective of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. headspace and the RFDS are committed to the protection of human and legal rights, including the rights of children, young people and adults to be safe, heard and cared for. In upholding the Universal Principle, headspace and the RFDS are committed to creating an organisational environment that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families feel welcome, safe, valued, included and respected.

Applications close 25th of September 2026 however, shortlisting will commence before this date, so don't delay!

For further information about this role, please contact ***********@rfdsqld.com.au or 07 3852 7***. You can also contact the Centre Manager of headspace Cairns- Helen Isenhour at *********@headspacecairns.org.au or on 07 4041 3***.

Please note: The successful applicant will be required to complete a criminal history check and may be required to undertake a pre-medical assessment which may include alcohol and drug testing. Participation in our immunisation program is also mandatory, including proof of immunity or vaccination against Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.