Are you looking for job with meaning; one that connects your personal values with an organisation that supports the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community? Do you want to be rewarded with a competitive salary and benefits package; and receive training and ongoing development?

Our Townsville Family and Child Connect team has a permanent full-time vacancy for a motivated and passionate professional to join them.

Do you want to make a difference?

Mercy Community is a not-for-profit organisation, focused on the provision of innovative and responsive services in the areas of child protection, multicultural community support, family mental health, community and residential based aged care and disability support services. We are a strongly committed team that works hard and truly lives our values – Mercy, Acceptance, Excellence, Dignity, Empowerment and Integrity.

Family and Child Connect (FaCC) is a Queensland Government funded initiative aimed at ensuring vulnerable families and children have access to high-quality services at the right time to help them to maintain the family unit. Children and young people are at the centre of this system, with supported and supportive parents, families and communities.

The role:

This role is a part of an exciting program and is responsible for providing quality service delivery to children, young people, families and the community within the Family and Child Connect (FaCC) service within the Townsville Region and surrounding areas, through assessment and recommendation of culturally appropriate responses.

To perform this role, it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander person and is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld).

To be eligible for this position you will require (Key Selection Criteria):

• Tertiary qualifications in Child Protection, Human Services, Social Work and/or Psychology.
• Previous experience in a similar role.
• Previous experience working effectively across a range of service providers, both government and non-government, to negotiate high quality service provision to families who have complex issues.
• Proven ability to engage and build rapport and trust quickly, listen effectively and manage behavioural responses including conflict, professionally; this includes a demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively.
• Demonstrated problem-solving approach with a focus on moving toward shared resolutions in relation to key issues affecting the individual or family.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and gather, assess, and relay pertinent information to relevant stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Demonstrated intermediate ability to use computer IT systems including MS Word and Excel.
• Queensland Provisional Green or above Driver Licence.
• Positive notice in the Working with Children Check (Blue Card) or ability to obtain and any other legislatively required personal history screening as required.
• Evidence of current vaccination against whooping cough or willingness to obtain prior to commencement, unless applicable exemption provided as per the relevant Mercy Community procedure.
• An Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander person of standing in the community willing to provide a reference.

It is beneficial for candidates to have:

• Experience in working with strengths-based practice/theory with complex families.
• Safety and Risk assessment skills.
• Sound understanding and knowledge of the Queensland child protection system.

As a Mercy Community employee, we’ll offer you:

• The chance to make a genuine difference in people’s lives
• The opportunity to increase your take-home pay by salary sacrificing
• Continued professional development opportunities
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (confidential counselling service)
• Career pathways for those wishing to grow within the company
• Friendly and supportive workplace

This position offers a competitive remuneration package of $39.94 – $41.74 gross per hour in line with level 5 of our Enterprise Agreement (dependant on experience) and other benefits in line with our Agreement.

We encourage and welcome candidates from all cultural backgrounds and recommend that you view our website and Employee Value Proposition.