Youth Worker (Outreach)

  • Remuneration SCHCADS level 5 dependent on qualifications and experience + superannuation
  • 5 Weeks Annual Leave
  • Up to $15,900 for living expenses + up to $2,600 towards meals and entertainment can be tax-free through NFP Salary Packaging

About the position

As a member of a small team based at Headspace Sale office, the Youth AOD Outreach Worker provides crisis intervention, assessment, case management services and ongoing support to minimise the harm of drug use to vulnerable young people residing in Wellington. The Youth AOD Outreach Worker operates with a high degree of autonomy to support a caseload of up to 12-15 young people – undertaking comprehensive Youth AOD assessment, case planning, provision of drug and alcohol education, internal and external referrals, collaborations and shared care with other professionals and engagement with families and significant others. The Youth AOD Outreach Service is funded by the Gippsland Primary Health Network and is delivered in partnership with Gippsland Lakes Complete Health.

Key selection criteria

  1. Experience in working with complex and vulnerable young people experiencing problematic substance use.
  2. Demonstrated understanding of the principals and practice of harm minimisation orientated treatment and prevention interventions, as well as knowledge of contemporary approaches to youth drug treatment.
  3. Knowledge and understanding of adolescent development and ability to practice a range of interventions including assessment, case work, care planning, advocacy, group work, crisis intervention and collaborative outreach-based service delivery.
  4. Highly developed engagement and communication skills with young people from a range of backgrounds and age groups.
  5. Demonstrated capacity to work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team setting.
  6. Well-developed written, organisational and communication skills

What our young people request from our workers:

Young people across YSAS have spoken out and given feedback about the qualities that best describe a good YSAS worker:

“A good worker takes the time to understand your interests and doesn’t treat everyone the same.”  “Young people believe that a good YSAS worker is empathetic and good at actively listening in a non-judgmental way, is relatable, down-to-earth and able to build trust and rapport in a consistent manner”. “It takes time to trust someone, but it’s worth it when you know they’ve got your back”. Young people have also raised that genuine human connection is an important quality, “being authentically human”, while having a holistic, flexible, and adaptable approach that considers the entire context of a young person’s life and their intersectionalities. “It’s about making sure workers don’t just tick boxes but genuinely want to see us thrive”

Regardless of where they are based or what position a worker has, everything we do at YSAS is about young people and their families. 

For full details of the position, please view the POSITION DESCRIPTION below.

Why work with us?

  • YSAS has a true commitment to flexible working, ensuring that individual, team and client needs are met
  • YSAS offers additional leave entitlements such as gender affirmation, ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, fertility leave, blood donors leave, a generous Parental Leave Scheme and the ability to purchase additional leave.
  • Access to learning and development opportunities 
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Please note:

  1. As part of our Employment screening process you will be required to undertake a National Criminal History check and have a current Working with Children Check.
  2. You must have Australian work rights to apply for this position.

Further Enquiries
For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact, Brett McCaughan, Community Manager, on 0408 933 099 regarding Youth Worker (Outreach), reference number 104_2025.

YSAS is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
YSAS has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation.

Vacancy Description - PD_AOD Outreach Worker_GPHN_July_2024_Final 2.pdf (241 kB)
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