Residential Youth Worker
- Applications close COB 30/04/2026
- Generous Salary Packaging
- Employee Assistance Program available
- Remuneration SCHCADS level 4.1 + 25% casual loading
- Flexible casual shifts across day, evening and night
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews will be conducted as required. If this opportunity aligns with your career goals, we encourage you to apply promptly.
About the position
The purpose of the Residential Youth AOD Worker is to work as part of a multidisciplinary team assisting vulnerable young people in need of support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a Residential Youth AOD Worker, you will be required to work a 24-hour roster which includes day, evening and night shifts at our Cairns Residential Rehabilitation Unit.
The Service will provide age-appropriate, safe, and inclusive treatment and care for young people and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, with a special focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. It offers a range of integrated treatment and care components (clinical, non-clinical, therapeutic, and healing) that can be delivered flexibly to meet the specific AOD treatment goals and needs of each young person and their family.
Key Selection Criteria:
- Experience and demonstrated understanding of working with young people with complex needs.
- Ability to work in a culturally competent way with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Experience in coordinating and participating in recreational activities with young people
- Ability to understand care planning and review
- Maintaining a professional approach in all communication and engagement activities with service stakeholders
- Ability to implement interventions appropriate to the young people accessing residential services.
For full details of the position, please view the POSITION DESCRIPTION below.
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.
Please note:
- 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.
- You must have Australian work rights to apply for this position.
Further Enquiries
For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact Richard Hodges - Acting Residential Manager on 07 4040 8300 regarding the Casual Residential Youth Worker position, Recruitment Ref. Number 111_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.
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