Social Connection Activities Officer

Overview

• Part time permanent role (27.6 hours per week between Monday to Friday)
• Exciting change agenda and fantastic new team
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

About Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175,000 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

About the role

If you are a highly motivated, qualified individual and want to make a real difference in the community then this is the role for you. As a Social Connections and activities officer, you’ll join an established team working to provide a high standard of social support group services to clients in the community, at the centre and online. You will be working with older people supporting them with daily social connection activities to enhance their physical, social and emotional wellbeing, promote their independence in the community. To be successful in this role you will have strong interpersonal, active listening skills and an understanding of how to use empowerment to support people under the wellness and reablement framework.

Skills and experience required to perform the role

Must Hold:

• Certificate IV in Leisure and Health, Certificate IV in Ageing Support, III or IV in Community Services, Leisure and Lifestyle or Diversional therapy qualification or equivalent.
• Experience working with the elderly in a community setting.
• Current Food Handling Certificate or willingness to undertake.
• Current First Aid Certificate or willingness to undertake.
• Current Victorian Driver’s Licence and use of own car (with comprehensive insurance) and ability to drive Council’s 12-seater bus (van).
• Current Police Check and Working with Children’s Check.

Additional preferences: Previous experience in day services or similar setting; Ability to speak a community language; Special interests or hobbies.

What the role can offer

• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

Further support offered for our staff

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Rebecca Good - Social Connections and Activities Team Leader on 03 9240 2302 or rgood@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

Applications close: 11:30pm, Wednesday 17 September 2025.

*in the case that we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close this advertisement before the current closing date.

Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid Driver's Licence and WWCC. Please have this ready when completing your application.

How to apply

Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.

*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.

Please note that applications must only be submitted online, applications will not be accepted via email.

Our Commitment

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Privacy Acknowledgment

By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge that your personal information will be hosted by external service providers for the recruitment system, medical, police check, reference checking and onboarding processes, unless you request otherwise.

Personal and/or health information collected by Council is used for municipal purposes as specified in the Local Government Act 2020 and may be disclosed to other organisations if authorised or required by legislation. You may request access to or amendment of the information as allowed by law. The information provided as part of your application will be accessed by the People and Safety Branch and the hiring manager.

Acknowledgement

By submitting this application, I declare that the information provided is true and correct. I understand that false or misleading information may result in non-progression or termination of employment. Any offer is subject to pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of the Council.

Consent to Contact Referees

I understand that a Merri-bek representative will contact me to obtain permission before contacting listed referees.

Preliminary Health Declaration

All applicants are required to complete a Preliminary Health Declaration. Disclose any pre-existing or past relevant physical restrictions, injury or condition that may affect ability to fulfil the inherent requirements of the position. This may affect eligibility for compensation under relevant legislation.

Working With Children Checks

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation. If the role requires a Working with Children Check, you will be required to upload this document as part of your application.

Qualifications/Licences

Evidence of relevant qualifications and/or licences as required for the position will need to be uploaded with the application.