At Directions Health Services, we believe in the power of connection, compassion, access to healthcare and the opportunity to thrive. For nearly 50 years, we’ve been an innovative, not-for-profit leader providing holistic integrated alcohol and other drug (AOD), mental health, and primary health services across the ACT and NSW.

Our mission is simple yet profound: to reduce harm, strengthen resilience, and improve health and wellbeing for individuals, families, and communities. We’re a team that includes GPs, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counsellors, AOD practitioners, mental health nurses, case managers, peer workers, harm reduction workers, Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Workers, pharmacists and a range of other professionals, all united by a shared commitment to health and equity.

Our Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service (SHaWS) supports people and communities impacted by alcohol, tobacco and other drug use through person-centred care, therapeutic interventions, outreach and community engagement initiatives.

We’re now looking for a passionate and motivated Youth and Community Services Engagement Coordinator to join our team and help drive innovative youth-focused programs, community partnerships and integrated support services across the region.

About the Role

This is a dynamic and rewarding role that combines leadership, community engagement, group program coordination and direct client support within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

Working closely with the Team Leader, you’ll provide operational and administrative support while helping coordinate youth-focused therapeutic groups, outreach initiatives and community engagement activities. You’ll also work directly with young people and their families, providing assessment, counselling, intensive case management and harm minimisation support.

This role offers genuine variety and the opportunity to build strong community connections, contribute to innovative service delivery and help shape programs that respond to the needs of young people and priority populations.

You will:

• Provide operational and coordination support to the Team Leader and broader team
• Coordinate and support youth-focused group programs, outreach activities and community engagement initiatives
• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, community organisations and key stakeholders
• Support the delivery of person-centred, trauma-informed and harm minimisation-focused services
• Work directly with young people and families through assessment, counselling, case management and group facilitation
• Support the implementation of a stepped model of care and treatment matching approaches
• Promote culturally safe, inclusive and child-safe practice across all areas of service delivery
• Assist with program development, evaluation, quality improvement and data collection activities
• Support staff through mentoring, guidance and collaborative teamwork
• Build referral pathways and strengthen continuity of care across services and systems

After-hours work and regular travel within the region and to the ACT may be required.

This is a full-time, fixed term contract with part-time hours negotiable for the right applicant.

What We’re Looking For

You’re an engaging and proactive professional who is passionate about supporting young people and strengthening communities. You thrive in collaborative environments, value innovation and enjoy balancing leadership responsibilities with direct client work.

You’ll bring:

• Leadership experience or demonstrated leadership capability
• Experience working in the AOD sector or with people impacted by substance use
• Experience supporting young people with co-occurring needs
• Experience delivering and coordinating therapeutic or psychoeducation group programs
• Strong understanding of harm minimisation, evidence-based interventions and person-centred care
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and community engagement skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary and cross-sector environments
• Strong organisational skills with a proactive, hands-on approach
• Understanding of child safety principles and commitment to the National Child Safe Standards
• Ability to work effectively within cross-cultural environments

Desirable:

• Experience in community engagement, community development and/or working with schools
• Tertiary qualification (or currently studying) in Social Work, Counselling, Psychology, Nursing or another relevant field
• AOD qualification or willingness to obtain within the first year of employment

What We Offer

• A supportive, inclusive and values-driven workplace
• Opportunities to innovate and contribute to community-focused service delivery
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• Generous salary packaging benefits
• 17½% leave loading
• The opportunity to make a genuine impact in the lives of young people, families and communities

Requirements

All appointments are subject to:

• Working with Children Check Registration
• National Police Check
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Current First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Australian Citizenship or suitable rights to work in Australia

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Directions Health Services is committed to being a child safe organisation and creating culturally, physically and emotionally safe environments for children and young people in line with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and Child Safe Standards.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re passionate about supporting young people, building strong community connections and creating innovative pathways to care, we’d love to hear from you.

How to Apply

To submit your application please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

For further information about the position, please see the position description attached or contact our HR department at [email protected] using the subject line: Youth & Community Engagement Coordinator - Bega enquiry via EthicalJobs.

At Directions Health Services, diversity makes us stronger. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, abilities, and lived experiences including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

We also understand that women and other marginalised groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every criterion. If you’re passionate about what we do and believe you could make a difference, we encourage you to reach out, you might be exactly who we’re looking for.

A position description is attached.