Youth Support and Advocacy Worker (12 month contract)

The Gold Coast Youth Service is looking for an experienced youth worker to support young people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 

This position aims to support and engage at risk and/or marginalised young people through a responsive centre based and assertive outreach.  There is scope for early intervention work that connects with the young person in their community – locations including their own home, social housing, share house, temporary living situations; community settings, public spaces and at other centre-based locations.

The aims are to:

• transitioning a client from homelessness to being housed
• provide early intervention approaches that prevent young people from losing their existing tenancy
• supporting young people to maintain their tenancy

The program offers relationship-based contact, solution focused brief intervention, ongoing case management support and learning opportunities for young people while also working with the broader community and key stakeholders including family, where possible, to progress, advocate and lobby for the resolution of identified issues. 

The position may involve some night work as part of a multi-disciplinary team targeting young people in places where they congregate, including those rough sleeping.

The program also offers centre based service provision to young people, with an emphasis on immediacy of response, to services such as support and advocacy, referrals to specialist services, financial assistance, information and advice and brief interventions.

Complete the following Selection Criteria:

Applicants will be assessed, selected and performance managed using criteria and the Key Result Areas which outline the tasks and responsibilities of the position:

Knowledge, experience and skills:

• Can demonstrate recent youth work experience, including ability to apply relevant knowledge in planning strategies of intervention, case management principles, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Understanding and experience of complex trauma cases and its impacts on young people and triaging.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of the appropriate legislation, case management practice, and the ability to adhere to policy and procedures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to demonstrate experience in liaising with a diverse range of young people.
• Ability to maintain positive, effective working relationships with colleagues, peers, and relevant stakeholders in a wide range of government, business and community organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to positively work as part of a small team with minimal supervision and in an environment requiring flexibility and strong time management skills.
• Ability and competency to use Microsoft office suite of products, along with experience in electronic databases and effective and professional case file noting.

Attributes:

• Flexible, resourceful, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, ethical, accountable.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision in an environment requiring flexibility and as part of a team.
• Self-reflective practice framework.
   

1. A minimum qualification of a sector recognised and accredited Bachelor of Social Work or Diploma in Community Welfare Work or RPL equivalent. (Qualifications must be approved by recognised professional bodies: ie. AASW, Community Services Council, APS etc.)
2. Possession of, or the ability to gain, and retain a current positive Working with Children Suitability Card.
3. Possession of a current Open Queensland Driver License
4. Current First Aid certifications (HTLDAID009, HTLDAID010 & HTLDAID011)

Closing Wednesday the 12th of February 2025