Community Development Officer

About Us

Wesley Mission Queensland is a not-for-profit community service provider that offers community support, mental health and disability services, aged and palliative care, and retirement living across Queensland. We have a long and proud history of supporting people in need and live by our values of Innovation, Hope, Integrity, Compassion, Justice, Empowerment and Respect.

We strive to be a welcoming, caring and inclusive community that celebrates diversity and supports employees of all backgrounds and faiths. People with passion, connected by hope for a more compassionate, just and inclusive society is our story. Join us and be part of a story you'll love to tell.

About the Role 

This is a fixed term part time parental leave cover for the role of Community Development Officer, which works to actively embed the services of the Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ) headspace centres within their local communities. The Community Development Officer will also recruit the Youth Reference Group and Family & Friends Reference Group and support them to lead the centre's governance processes, as well as drive the ongoing development of community engagement plans.

About You 

Essential:
1. Tertiary qualifications in Health Promotion, Public Health, Community Development, Social/Behavioural Science, Social Work, or a related Human Services discipline.
2. Demonstrated experience working with young people with mental health, alcohol and other drugs and other social issues.
3. Demonstrated experience developing, coordinating, facilitating and evaluating youth and community programs, events, engagement activities, and community awareness programs within a community setting in conjunction with service management.
4. Demonstrated understanding of the challenges and experiences of young people from diverse backgrounds including young people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and LGBTQIAP+ young people.
5. Well-developed verbal and written communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, and groups of people, tailoring communication to engage and communicate to suit a specific target group or age range.
6. Advanced computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.
7. Strong experience and demonstrated expertise with social media as a communication tool and creation of promotional documentation to a professional standard.
8. Well-developed organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple and competing work tasks and deliver to agreed deadlines.
9. Current Driver's Licence and willingness to drive in the course of work.
10. Proof of Vaccination Status as required by Legislation, Health Directives or WMQ Policy throughout employment and prior to commencement.
11. Relevant probity checks required by legislation and WMQ policy.
Desirable
12. Lived experience of mental health issues and recovery.
13. Broad working knowledge of the range of services available to young people in the local government, health, education, employment, and youth sectors, identifying any service delivery gaps.

Why Join Us

Wesley Mission Queensland brings together people who want to make a difference in the lives of others. We value diversity, strive for inclusion, and come together to walk alongside those in need to provide hope and compassion. We are committed to working collaboratively to help you grow, support your wellbeing, and enable you to be your true self each day aligned to our mission and values. Along the journey, we will encourage you to find your story. We offer our team members:

• Support from our Employee Wellbeing Program – we are recognised as an Advanced Mental Health First Aid Skilled Workplace!
• Access to salary packaging benefits that enable you to increase your take-home pay
• Discounted allied health services such as nutrition, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and remedial massage
• Access to discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships and travel
• Flexible working hours and where applicable a hybrid working strategy

Wesley Mission Queensland offers new employees joining Residential Aged Care, Community Aged Care, Hopewell Hospice, Hummingbird House, NDIS Community Support and Specialist Disability Accommodation teams a bonus of $250 at commencement and $500 at 12 months. To find out if you are eligible, contact the Talent Acquisition Team at careers@wmq.org.au 

WMQ's vision for reconciliation is for all people to stand unified in an equal and inclusive future. We commit to enhancing opportunities for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People and celebrating diversity. As part of our commitment to Reconciliation we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 

Wesley Mission Queensland respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We acknowledge Elders both past and present, whose ongoing effort to protect and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures will leave a lasting legacy for future Elders and leaders.

Please note: You will be asked for evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status as part of your application process as required by Legislation, Health Directives and WMQ Policy.