Position Description Position title and code Service area/program Parent and Family Community Development Worker (F303413) Family Services EFT/Hours 0.2 EFT (1 Day per week) Tenure 12 Months Limited Term Classification level/ award rate Reports to Work Location Sisters of the Good Shepherd Agreement 2007 Community Development Worker Class IIA, level dependant on qualifications and experience. SCHADS level 4 equivalent. Salary range $43,065 $55,893 with immediate access to attractive salary packaging Program Manager - Wallaroo Wallaroo Community Centre Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service is a community service organisation that has been helping people battle poverty and disadvantage since 1976. Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service provides a range of services to women, young people, families and children across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. We provide services in four areas - women and girls, young people s services, families and financial inclusion. Programs include youth support services, financial counselling, housing, microfinance, family violence and wide-ranging family and children s services. We also undertake social policy research and advocacy. We rely on our mission to determine, guide and value our work and are committed to social justice, building the capacity of local communities, openness to change and innovation. We believe everyone deserves an equal place in the world and a quality of life that makes participation in the world possible. Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 1 of 1
Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service is a member of the network of national and international organisations of the Good Shepherd Sisters. Service Area Description Wallaroo Community Centre operates as a hub in Westpark Hastings and houses both Good Shepherd Community House and Wallaroo Preschool. Wallaroo Community Centre also hosts a Parent and Family Engagement Worker, NILS Loans Worker, MPS Maternal Child Health Service and other visiting services including VACCA Koorie Kids Playgroup and MatchWorks Employment Service. Good Shepherd Community House at Wallaroo has been providing activities and support in Westpark since 2001 and provides a welcoming and safe environment for people to meet new friends, establish support networks, share skills and develop new interests. We aim to be responsive to the needs of individuals and the community, providing a range of health and wellbeing, recreational programs, adult education, children's services, after school and school holiday family activities. Program quality requirement 1. GSYFS Strategic plan 2010-2015 2. GSYFS Policy manual 3. Results Based Accountability Australian Unity Wellbeing Index Position summary In Hastings, nearly half of the children in their first year of school are identified as developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains of the Australian Early Developmental Index (AEDI); this compares to less than a quarter of children nationally. Supporting the community of Hastings to reduce this high level of disadvantage is crucial. Over the last five years in Hastings, schools, early years services, family and children services/agencies, along with community health, local government services and neighborhood renewal have been working together to try to address this disadvantage. The Parent and Family Community Development Worker will work with the Parent and Family Engagement Worker to increase parental capacity to support their children s learning and development. Utilising a local partnership approach and working to improve service delivery to create a dynamic, locally responsive service system in Hastings for children and families. The worker will develop appropriate programs and activities, and link parents to appropriate existing programs and services in the community. The worker will strengthen Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 2 of 2
relationships between families and services, increase participation by parents, their children and community members, and lead to parents feeling more confident, skilled and valued. The Parent and Family Community Development Worker will be based at Wallaroo Community Centre and will be working with the schools, early year s services, agencies and families and children across the Hastings area as required. Reporting directly to the Program Manager Wallaroo, working with the Parent and Family Engagement Worker and the project reference group, the worker will support data collection and prepare reports as required. Organisational ethos and values Key Accountabilities 1. Work within the Christian ethos, mission and values of the organisation, which has a strong social justice and community development framework. 2. Respect people, their circumstances and decisions and advocate for and with people who access the organisation s programs. Program accountabilities 3. Develop and implement programs/activities that increase the capacity of families to support their children s learning and development. 4. Facilitate access of families to appropriate community services.. 5. Meet program administration and reporting requirements that include the collection, analysis of data and report writing. Professional accountabilities 6. Maintain currency of professional skills and knowledge. 7. Manage own role and responsibilities, working both independently and as a partner with schools, agencies and families. Authorities Leadership Staff Supervision Decision Making Contribute in developing work plans. Nil Within the boundary of policy and established procedures. Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 3 of 3
Financial Approvals Nil Key Performance Indicators 1. Two (2) programs/activities are developed and implemented. 2. Number of GSYFS referrals to community agencies. 3. Families wellbeing improved based on RBA tools. Key selection criteria 1. Demonstrated commitment to social justice and community development. 2. Tertiary qualifications (minimum Diploma level) in community development, welfare or early childhood. 3. Demonstrated experience working with socially marginalised or at-risk children and families with a focus on improved outcomes. 4. Demonstrated experience in networks with specialist services including early years, education, mental health, health, drug & alcohol, housing, employment and legal services. 5. Demonstrated success in working with parents, their children and communities. 6. Highly developed written (reports, correspondence, case notes, records entry) and oral (liaison, consultation, negotiation and telephone) communication skills and interpersonal, negotiation, mediation and advocacy skills. Program relationships Internal Program Manager - Wallaroo Parent and Family Engagement Worker Wallaroo Community Centre Staff External Department of Human Services Project Reference Group Local schools/kindergartens All Good Shepherd Staff Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 4 of 4
Additional information This position is based at the Wallaroo Community Centre site however all employees may be required to work at or across other sites from time to time. Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) All employees are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all incidents and injuries as well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S. Pre-existing injury People appointed to this position will be required to disclose any preexisting injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position. This will assist the Agency in providing a safe work environment for new staff. Equal opportunity GSYFS is an equal opportunity employer. All staff have a responsibility to be familiar with the GSYFS Harassment, discrimination and workplace bullying prevention and management and related policies. The organisation is committed to an inclusive workplace and reasonable adjustment for people with disabilities. Cultural competency GSYFS is striving to become a culturally competent organisation. All staff are expected to undergo regular cultural competence training as part of their professional development plans. Salary packaging is available to all ongoing and limited term staff. Employment is subject to: a current Working with Children Check (card) a current Police Record Check. a current driver s licence the capacity to work flexible hours. Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 5 of 5
Relationship to career development and review This position description operates in conjunction with and forms part of the annual review and career development process. An initial review will take place at the end of the induction and probationary period, that is three months following commencement of employment and then annually. Employee name Employee signature Date / / Manager s name Manager s signature Date / / Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 6 of 6
Duty statement Position title Unit/location/program area Parent and Family Community Development Worker Wallaroo Community Centre - Hastings Parent and Family Community Development Worker duties: Take referrals from Parent and Family Engagement Worker Provide information on options and available services to families Assist families to access relevant community services Facilitate the implementation of community development programs and activities outreach activities record keeping, data collection Team requirements: Reference group meetings as required Individual supervision (fortnightly) Agency requirements: Staff meetings Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service Agency Wide Days (2 per year) Good Shepherd Day (June each year) Other: Participate in quality improvement initiatives Other duties as required Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 7 of 7
Information for applicants For more information about the position please contact: Iain Ritchie at (03) 5970 7000 Please address the key selection criteria if you wish your application to be considered. Background reading for your application and interview includes the GSYFS Mission statement and the relevant program information identified on our home page. The closing date for applications is 06 February 2014. We prefer applications by email. Please forward your application to: recruitment@goodshepvic.org.au Or alternatively to: HR Manager PO Box 2367 Fitzroy 3065 Interviews will be held: week commencing 10 February 2014. Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 8 of 8
Information on the application process Applications We need specific information to help us consider your application with care and respect. Please send us: 1. a covering letter which explains your interest in the job and working with us 2. key selection criteria Key selection criteria are listed in the position description. Under each criteria please identify your relevant skills, knowledge and experience. Use practical examples of how you have used these and how they could be used in this job. 3. a resume which includes: personal contact details including your daytime contact number qualifications, other education and training work history showing dates, employers, job titles, responsibilities community involvements and interests, if any contact details of three referees including at least one recent and direct supervisor and one other professional referee. Send your application preferably by email to recruitment@goodshepvic.org.au by the closing date, ensuring all your documents clearly identify your name and the position for which you are applying. Interviews If you are selected for interview, you will be notified by telephone. When you come for interview you must bring: proof of identity (three items which between them give your name, current address and photo identification) evidence of your qualifications a current working with children check and a national or international police check, or be prepared to obtain them proof of residency, if not an Australian citizen. At the interview you will be asked to confirm your referees and give permission to contact them. Appointments Appointments are made after interview and after consideration of candidate s qualifications, experience and standard of work against the key selection criteria. Successful candidates are notified in a phone call. This is later followed up with a letter of offer. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory working with children check and police records check. Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 9 of 9
Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service conditions and benefits Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service is a family friendly workplace offering generous conditions and flexible working arrangements. The Agency s current collective agreement was negotiated with all staff and the Australian Services Union. The agreement offers many benefits. These benefits include: up to $16,000 pa salary packaging a tax effective benefit meals and entertainment packaging up to $5200 pa - a tax effective benefit paid parental leave long service leave due after ten years, with access after seven additional paid leave days at Christmas-New year and at Easter 48/52 purchased leave scheme cultural and volunteer leave sick leave pooling. The Agency also offers internal career pathways, study leave, professional development and training and a commitment to staff safety. Salary packaging Salary packaging allows you to increase the tax free component of your salary. If you take advantage of salary packaging, your take home pay is increased. Salary packaging is available to all ongoing and limited term staff. For example only Case one Case two Annual salary $50,000 $50,000 Salary packaging nil $16,000 Taxable income $50,000 $34,000 Tax paid* 2013-2014 rates $ 8,580 $ 3,484 Take home pay $ 41,420 $ 46,516 This is indicative only, as individual circumstances may make salary packaging less attractive, e.g. for some with higher education repayments (HECS or HELP) or in receipt of government payments. You should seek financial advice before entering salary packaging. Parent and Family Community Development Worker Page 10 of 10