Youth Employment Specialist

• Permanent Full Time| 38 Hours per Week
• Location: Taree and Forster NSW
• $81,987 + Super + Not for Profit Salary Packaging
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need.

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

Mission Australia's Transition to Work Program works with young people aged 15-24 who have left school early, or who are having difficulty finding employment. We help young people to develop the skills and confidence they need to move into work or ongoing education (including apprenticeships and traineeships), and we provide no-cost employment services for employers looking to recruit young workers.

As a Youth Employment Specialist, you will support young people aged 15–24 to gain sustainable employment, apprenticeships, traineeships, or further education. You will help participants overcome both vocational and non-vocational barriers, build employability skills, and connect them with meaningful opportunities in the community.

The Youth Employment Specialist will split their time between Taree and Forster offices, and outreach work is an essential part of the role.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Work with approximately 50 young people to help them gain sustainable employment or education opportunities
• Conduct holistic assessments to identify barriers of employment
• Offer ongoing encouragement, advice and motivation to help participants stay in work or education
• Develop tailored job plans and regularly review progress to ensure effectiveness
• Undertake a range of participant marketing and promotion activities to introduce them to employers including cold calling, direct marketing activity’s introduction and interview support.
• Undertake job-matching activities to facilitate job placements.
• Develop and manage strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders including Services Australia, Workforce Australia Providers, Housing, Mental Health Services and relevant youth agencies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and ensure compliance with Mission Australia policies and procedures
• Identify and respond to concerns about the wellbeing of young people and create safe and supportive environments in line with National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

Requirements for Success

• Experience in youth services, employment services or related community services desirable
• Tertiary qualifications in youth, employment services or community services is advantageous
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office packages and other operating systems
• Flexibility to travel across the region as required
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with a wide range of people
• A proactive and flexible approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• A commitment to child safety, confidentiality, and Mission Australia’s values
• Driver’s licence

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Your benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities 
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 
• Extra leave including: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

Our culture  

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.  

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email talentattraction@missionaustralia.com.au or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at Deadlycareers@missionaustralia.com.au  

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia. 

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you