Youth Liaison Officer (Fixed Term For 6 Months)

Established in 2009, Satellite Foundation is a not-for-profit that connects and empowers young carers – children and young people – where a family member experiences mental health challenges.  Satellite aims to foster a strong connection between young people, their families, and the wider community.  Satellite Foundation’s programs use a combination of creativity and the sharing of lived experience to combat isolation and promote confidence, self-esteem, and good coping strategies.  Satellite offers peer support in a range of in-person and online programs, workshops, activities, and projects that are centred on connection.

The opportunity

In this fixed-term, six month appointment (from 1 May to 31 October 2024), and reporting to the Engagement and Consultation Manager, the Youth Liaison Officer will be a key point of contact for young people (14-25  years) and their families accessing Satellite, providing support for those participating in our programs.  The role will work closely with the Programs and Engagement team to ensure children, young people and their families reach our programs, and to build community connections, foster partnerships and build awareness of Satellite and our programs.

Please refer to the position description for a full list of what you will be doing in this new role and the essential and desirable skills and experience we are after.  All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check, a Working with Children Check (WWCC), evidence of legal rights to work in Australia, and evidence of vaccination against COVID-19.

Past participants or volunteers in Satellite Programs with suitable skills and experience are encouraged to apply.

Essential skills and experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Community Development, Youth/Family work, Public Health or Education at degree level with substantial experience; or Associate Diploma level with substantial experience in the relevant service stream; or less formal qualifications with specialised skills and related work experience sufficient to perform at this level.
• Demonstrated experience working in a similar role in the not-for-profit sector that forms Satellite's orbit as a community organisation.
• Proven understanding or experience working with young people, families and communities experiencing mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and other social issues.
• Broad knowledge of the range of services and programs available to children, young people, and families in local government, family services, health, mental health, education, employment and youth sectors.
• A sound understanding of referral pathways to maximise access to supports for young people and their families.
• Ability to engage positively with young people, their families and supporters.
• Capacity to be flexible with work hours to accommodate young people's availability.

Desirable skills and experience

• Ability to engage and communicate to various size groups and individuals, tailoring communication to suit specific target groups and age ranges.
• A lived and/or living experience of mental health challenges (their own and/or of a significant other in their life) and an understanding of the issues relating to children, young people, and their families where a parent/family member has a mental illness.
• Understanding of the challenges and experience of young people from diverse backgrounds including young people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or questioning).
• Understanding of or experience in assisting with the co-ordination of youth/family programs, events, and activities within a community and/or school setting.
• Understanding of the education system in Victoria.
• Experience and expertise with social media as a communication tool.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and confidence in speaking publicly in groups.
• Appreciation for working as part of a team.
• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple and competing tasks and deliver to agreed deadlines.
• Competent across Office 365, MS Teams, SharePoint and tools used for the development of promotional materials.

Culture at Satellite Foundation

Satellite Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and committed to ensuring a safe working environment for all staff and volunteers.  We provide a child safe environment for all children and young people who participate.

Satellite Foundation is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and commits to taking appropriate measures to enable everyone to access employment opportunities and benefit equally from employment-related opportunities by providing reasonable accommodations.

We recognise that there are barriers to employment for people, and we encourage you to get in touch with us to explore alternative application methods or other ways of removing these barriers for the recruitment and selection process.

We encourage individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges themselves, or within their families to apply.  We encourage individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds, including but not limited to, those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Divers and LGBTQIA+ communities to join our workforce.

How to apply

For more information, contact Robyn Goodwill on 0408 235 ***.  For a copy of the position description please reach out to: *****@satellitefoundation.org.au.

This will be a quick recruitment process for the right person.  Applications are likely to close at 11.59pm, Thursday, 28 March 2024.

Want to know more about the Satellite Foundation?  

Go to our website: https://www.satellitefoundation.org.au/