Work & Study Vocational Specialist

Job Category: Community Services & Development

Health Voyage Ltd is a multi-disciplinary organisation providing evidence-based primary, specialist, allied health and health promotion services for those at risk in the community. We are  a not-for-profit non-government organisation working in partnership to ensure our services complement and strengthen the public health sector. The organisation’s provision of accessible, cost-efficient and effective health services to prevent or lessen the long-term impact of illness is a vital contribution to the wellbeing of individuals, families and the community.

Health Voyage Services and Programs

The Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre, headspace Coffs Harbour, and headspace Grafton are the three primary services of Health Voyage. In addition, Health Voyage from time to time may have other ancillary programs (either within these services or in addition to) that are aligned to the organisation’s mission.  Across these services and programs, Health Voyage employs and contracts health professionals and service providers to deliver care aligned to the organisation’s mission and values.

OUR MISSION:    To provide equal access to safe, quality health care services and improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of vulnerable individuals in our community.

OUR VALUES : Ethical Integrity Respect Diversity Compassion

Health Voyage, as lead agency for headspace Grafton, has a vacancy for a dedicated Vocational Specialist to work full time (38 hrs per week). The Work & Study team are responsible for providing vocational services to young people who are referred to work and study support at headspace Grafton as part of their care. This is aligned with the international model of supported employment: ‘Individual Placement and Support’ (IPS). The overall aims of vocational support for young people is to minimise the impact of their mental health issue and to enable recovery through meaningful employment or education.

About the role:

• Work in conjunction with headspace staff to support young people accessing headspace services to gain employment or to engage in education
• Liaise with local employers, education providers and health professionals to ensure ease of access and smooth transition across a range of employment and educational opportunities for young people

About You:

If you have a qualification in vocational services, employment services, education, youth work or have relevant transferable experience you would be well suited to this opportunity.

We seek candidates who have a passion for working with, and inspiring resilience in young people to overcome barriers to accessing employment and/or educational opportunities. You will have knowledge and expertise in the employment sector, combined with an understanding of, skills and interest in, the youth mental health field. 

A full list of key responsibilities is outlined in the Position Description, which can be accessed on our website:

To find out more about headspace Grafton, follow us on our social pages or call in to our Centre in Duke Street, Grafton. To enquire more about this role please contact Alyson at headspace Grafton on 02 6642 1***.

Other Information:

• Full time position (38 hours per week)
• Comprehensive IPS (Work & Study) program and headspace training provided on commencement
• Base work location is Grafton with regular travel within the Clarence Valley (work vehicles available)
• Paid Parental Leave available to eligible employees
• Generous salary packaging benefits to increase your take home pay
• Health Voyage regards the health, safety and wellbeing of our people, our contractors and our communities to be our highest priority, which is why we require all employees to have received at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or have an approved medical contraindication form. You will be required to provide a record of your COVID-19 vaccination status if successful for this position.

To Apply

Written applications should include:

• an outline of your claims to the position demonstrating how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed on the Position Description (visit our website for a PD)
• your current resume detailing your skills, qualifications, and experience, including the names and contact details for two referees, with at least one referee being a current or most recent supervisor

Please note this position is being readvertised. Previous candidates need not reapply.  

There is no application close date and applications will be reviewed as they are received. We invite you to apply as soon as possible. 

Health Voyage is committed to a workplace culture that builds respect, fosters inclusiveness, promotes diversity and embraces the unique skills and qualities of all our workforce and members. Candidates who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, LGBTIQA+, or have a lived experience of mental health are encouraged to apply.

Our preferred candidate will have a  tertiary qualification in a relevant field such as education, vocational services, employment services, or youth work and/or extensive experience in the vocational services sector. Other essential criteria we require for this role includes:

• Experience assisting people facing disadvantage to obtain competitive employment
• Experience with stakeholder engagement across the community and employment sector and demonstrated partnership building and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and work co-operatively to achieve outcomes. 
• Demonstrated experience in supporting service evaluation and associated activities e.g. data collection, compliance activities.
• Willingness to travel and work in an outreach model 

And desirably, an u nderstanding of and experience working with young people with mental health needs or disabilities, and k nowledge of, and experience with, employment related services, relevant legislation and local labour market trends.