• $95,976 + super + not for profit salary packaging benefits
• Permanent Full Time Contract
• Location: Cairns QLD
• Rewarding work - every day you know you are making a real difference

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 stand together with anyone who needs us, for as long as they need us. Find out more about us and our purpose.

The NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports people with disability to participate in and contribute to improving social and economic life, as well as provide certainty that people with disability will receive the care and support, they need over their lifetime. The NDIS provides multiple ways to assist people with disability to exercise choice, including taking reasonable risks in the pursuit of their goals and the planning and delivery of their supports. One of the ways this is done is through Local Area Coordination (LAC). For more information, please visit https://www.ndis.gov.au. 

Your Opportunity

As a member of a national multi-disciplinary team, the Early Childhood Specialist will work alongside families and their children 0-9 with developmental delay and/or disability. The Early Childhood Specialist will work together with EC teams across Australia to provide evidence based, family centred specialised supports. These supports may include conducting assessments, consulting with EC coordinators, and implementing family support plans in group or individual settings. The Early Childhood Specialist role provides discipline specific guidance to the team and families in an empowering and inclusive manner.
This position is a national role, with the ability to work from just about anywhere in Australia. A preference is to base the position in Cairns QLD or have easy access to travel to this location.
This role may require occasional national travel. The EC Specialist Coordinator will empower children and their families to build capacity, exercise choice and engage with the services available. You will work directly with families, both in-home and in community settings, to assess and develop suitable goals and plans for children. We promote wellbeing, development, and community engagement through a family-centred approach. Successful candidates will tackle this role using a calm and composed demeanour with the ability to be responsive and agile in a changing environment.
For the suitable candidate we can apply to NDIA for permission for the worker to also work part-time as a NDIS provider outside of the Early Childhood Specialist area.
Your Key Responsibilities

• Conducting informal and formal assessments in consultation with EC Coordinators for children 0-9 years
• Implementing Family Support plans in either group or individual basis
• Provide advice on community services and supports that are available; facilitate referrals and introductions
• Build capacity of children, families, and carers to identify their goals, strengths and needs, and plan for their future
• Engaging and upskilling staff as well as the broader community on their specialised expertise in child development
• Collaborate directly with mainstream providers and community groups to drive inclusion
• Work within the Statement of requirements set out by the NDIA and Mission Australia

Requirements for Success

With a significant background in the child, youth & family and/or disability sectors, you will be confident in your assessment processes, and intervention implementation skills.  Other requirements include:

• Qualifications in Allied Health - Occupational Therapist preferred
• Comprehensive understanding and experience in the Disability, Child, Youth and Family Services sector
• Significant knowledge of child development delays and/or disability
• Exceptional communicational skills with the ability to establish and build rapport, engage and influence stakeholders
• Strong administration skills and experience in the use of databases; online portals and other software
• Exceptional time management and prioritisation skills
• NDIS Worker Screening and NDIA On-Boarding requirements
• Full driver licence with no restrictions

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.

Our Culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We're committed to the safety and wellbeing of each other and the people we serve.

We recognise and respect diversity. So, whoever you are, if you are skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia.

We encourage applications from people with disability and Indigenous Australians.

If you have a disability and need support to submit your application, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Allied Health - Early Childhood Specialist - Cairns enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Your Benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support.
• Volunteering opportunities
• Extra leave available including an additional public holiday and the opportunity to purchase further annual leave.

How to Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, click 'Apply Now' and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications for this role are shortlisted as received and we are interviewing through the advertising period.

Apply quickly to be considered for this soul satisfying role.