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 role requires to provide support in both our Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour offices and the role may require relief support to other Mission Australia sites across the region as required, contributing to a collaborative and outcomes-driven employment service.

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

• 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.

• 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
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office packages and other operating systems

• Tertiary qualifications in youth, employment services or community services is advantageous
• Driver’s licence
• Clearance to work with children/vulnerable people