A Disability Youth Engagement and Development Worker provides high quality, responsive support to young people who are in out-of-home care in Wangaratta and Benalla.

• A work environment that places significant value on personal growth, respect, dignity and diversity
• A challenging and rewarding role
• The opportunity to join an organisation that continues to grow and invest in its people and its future
• NFP benefits / salary packaging
• A competitive salary plus super

About the role:

For some young people, living at home with their families is not possible for a range of circumstances beyond their control. No matter what the circumstance, young people always have a right to protection, support and education. When these circumstances arise and young people do not have the support to live at home, Merriwa can assist to provide a safe and comfortable environment, supporting and caring for the young person in order to maximise their educational, relationship and social opportunities. Merriwa is a Child Safe Organisation and services are provided on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services.

As a Disability Youth Engagement & Development Worker, you will participate in the young person’s day to day living and support their health, wellbeing and development and undertake all administrative requirements and household duties.

The role contributes to the creation of an environment that embraces diversity, all abilities, and where people and team members feel respected and have purpose.

Selection criteria: 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Able to play a key role as a member of the child or young person’s care team.
• Demonstrated ability to flexibly manage competing priorities and stressful situations, monitoring own stress levels and practicing and promoting self-care strategies.
• The ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a team to accomplish goals.
• Demonstrated capacity engaging people and the ability to not only work with displays of emotional and behavioural dysregulation but to be able to understand the underlying causes.
• Ability to exhibit empathy for people in our care in an open minded and non-judgemental manner.
• The capacity to advocate, engage and negotiate with relevant stakeholders, including school/educational networks and family where appropriate.
• Demonstrated understanding or willingness to learn appropriate legislation, policy and issues relating to people involved with Children Protection and Youth Justice and Disability Services.
• Highly developed capacity for emotional self-regulation including the capacity to set and maintain consistent boundaries to provide safety, stability and consistency.
• The ability to contribute to creation of work environment that embraces diversity, all abilities employees, and where team members feel respected and have purpose.
• Strong analytical skills to measure brand impact and engagement.

Qualifications and other requirements – Essential:

• A recognised and relevant qualification e.g. Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Disability or equivalent or proof of enrolment
• A valid Working with Children’s Check
• Current driver’s license
• Prepared to undergo a Criminal Records Check prior to commencement
• Undertake Disqualified Carers Check
• Undertake NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Willing to work on a roster basis of shiftwork which includes sleepover shifts, weekends and public holidays
• Current First Aid including CPR
• WCES Check
• Police Check 

As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, Merriwa provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.

We aim to recruit a diverse range of people with a diverse range of talents to help us achieve our goals.

We are still taking applications for this role with the closing date still to be announced.

Applications can be emailed to: [email protected]. For a confidential discussion or to obtain a Position Description for the role please contact: HR 03 5722 7600 or visit our website www.merriwa.org.au.

In your application you will need to submit a covering letter, identifying why you are the best candidate for the role to meet the criteria outlined, along with a current resume. Failure to do this will result in your application not being considered.

Interviews may begin earlier than the closing date, and the application process may close earlier should a successful candidate be sourced.