Youth Specialist – Mount Isa Next Generation Strong

Job Posting Organization:
54 Reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organization, established as a not-for-profit entity that is part of the Save the Children Australia Group. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that children and young people have their rights met and thrive in all their diversity. With a workforce of approximately 600 employees, 54 Reasons operates across every state and territory in Australia, including remote areas and capital cities. The organization focuses on providing quality services to children and their caregivers, emphasizing the importance of the child's voice in all its programs and support services.

Job Overview:
The Youth Specialist position is a full-time, permanent role that plays a crucial part in the establishment of the Mount Isa Next Generation Strong program. This program aims to provide holistic case management for young people aged 10-16 who have been involved with the youth justice system. The role involves case planning and one-on-one mentoring, where the specialist will work closely with young individuals to create personalized case plans that address their educational, employment, housing, and cultural needs. Additionally, the specialist will facilitate activities that promote social and emotional wellbeing, life skills, and educational attainment. Building and maintaining trusting relationships with young people and their families is essential, as is connecting them to community resources and cultural support. The position requires a compassionate and innovative approach to support young people in achieving their goals, making it a rewarding opportunity to make a significant difference in their lives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Youth Specialist include:

• Conducting case planning and providing one-on-one mentoring to young people who have had contact with the justice system, ensuring that case plans are tailored to their individual goals and needs.
• Facilitating activities aimed at enhancing young people's social and emotional wellbeing, life skills, and educational outcomes.
• Developing and maintaining trusting relationships with young people and their families, assisting them in connecting with community resources and cultural support.
• Identifying additional assistance and external services that may be required, providing appropriate information, support, and referrals to ensure comprehensive care.
• Collaborating with a wraparound team of specialist teachers, teacher aides, youth support, and family support staff to deliver holistic support to the young people involved in the program.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Youth Specialist role must possess demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and families, as well as families at risk and young people involved in the youth justice system. A degree or diploma in a related field is required, or significant relevant experience may be considered as an alternative qualification. Other skills and experiences as outlined in the position description are also necessary to fulfill the role effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree or diploma in a relevant field such as social work, youth work, psychology, or education. Alternatively, significant relevant experience in lieu of formal qualifications may be acceptable, provided the candidate can demonstrate the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the duties of the role effectively.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a strong background in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and families, as well as experience with families at risk and young people involved in the youth justice system. This experience is crucial for understanding the unique challenges faced by these populations and for providing effective support and guidance.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for communication with young people and their families. Additional language skills, particularly those relevant to the local community, would be considered advantageous but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time, permanent role with a competitive salary structure. The award rate salary is currently set at Level 4.1, which equates to $44.58 per hour, plus superannuation and full salary packaging benefits. Employees are entitled to a generous annual remote location allowance, return flights home every 12 months for those relocating, and five weeks of annual leave, along with additional leave options to support employee wellness. The organization emphasizes a supportive work environment, providing professional supervision training and access to an Employee Wellbeing Program. Opportunities for internal deployment and career progression within one of Australia’s largest non-profits are also available. The organization encourages diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, and strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.