Mentoring Changes Lives

For over a hundred years, we’ve seen firsthand the powerful impact a mentor can have for vulnerable young people, families, and the community at large. Our program pairs young people, who have previous or current involvement in Child Protection, with screened and trained adult mentors. This strengths-based program helps young people with experiences of trauma, family violence, disadvantage and mental health issues; to set and achieve goals important to them with the help of a reliable adult mentor. Using a Positive Youth Development Model, our trained mentors spend 12 months with each young person to help build their resilience, skills, abilities and passions; and to help them reach their full potential.

Find out more: sparkways.org.au/mentoring

Are you ready to make a difference as the Youth Program Coordinator?

The role of the Youth Program Coordinator is to support mentors and mentees in the Western Region throughout their 12 months in the program, which includes assisting mentors, mentees and their families on the ground with coaching, supervision, match and review meetings, case management, assessments, support calls and goal setting. The role also requires group facilitation and management of training volunteer mentors throughout their 12 months in the program and supporting activity days that bring together all mentors and mentees to do a fun activity together e.g. mini golf, rock climbing, bowling, etc. Furthermore, the Coordinator role will assist in program evaluation and monitoring, and engaging with external stakeholders and building relationships with schools and community organisations.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about young people and getting the best outcomes for them. Someone who is empathetic, understanding, open, honest and articulate, that can work and collaborate as part of a team and work well on their own, and has a high level of self-awareness and awareness of others.

We value someone who can listen actively, confidently respond to people’s needs and is dependable and organised. Our team values someone who has a growth mindset, is willing to learn and be flexible, and who we can support to grow in their career path and in the role.

A position description is attached.

We want to meet you

• Do you have a record of achieving success providing support to young people in need and vulnerable families?
• Are you seeking a varied role to stretch your case management, supervision, youth work and volunteer management program skills?
• Do you get great feedback on your ability to engage with volunteers, young people, their families, service providers and colleagues?
• Are you positive, energetic, organised and great to work with?
• Ideal role if you are an experienced Social Worker, wanting to transition into a Youth Work specialisation
• Social Work or Youth Work graduates, with relevant placement experience, will be considered

We can offer you

• An established program with an experienced and supportive Team Leader
• The opportunity to belong to an organisation with strong values, ethics and commitment to children and young people
• A supportive workplace, committed colleagues and opportunities for professional development
• Attractive salary with eligibility for NFP salary packaging
• Flexible work location – clients and program partners in the Western suburbs, hub office in Flemington for regular meetings, and well supported remote work platforms
• Part-time position – 3.5 days per week - Monday to Thursday with availability to work on events that are held on the weekends
• This is a Parental Leave, maximum term position, for twelve months, with possible extension

How to Apply

Click Apply Now to submit your application.

• Attach your current resume
• Include a cover letter / email responding to the following questions:
  • Describe how your experience and skills will contribute to the work of the mentoring program
  • Tell us why you are interested in this position

Please apply early, we will be interviewing applicants as they apply - this position may be filled before the advertisement is closed.

Any questions?

Email /call Fletcher Curnow, Team Leader - Youth Services, for a confidential discussion about the position

• [email protected] using the subject line: Youth Program Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs
• 0408 369 033

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate

• Experience providing support to young people in need and vulnerable families
• Demonstrated proficiency in using a positive, youth centred, strengths-based approach in structured programs
• Demonstrated proficiency in assessment, referral and/or case work
• Experience with assessing, training, supervising, coaching & supporting volunteers
• Knowledge of other relevant sector networks, reforms, standards and legislation
• Demonstrated organisational and time management skills
• Very strong verbal ability: open, honest, articulate, actively listen and flexible approach to communication – written and verbal.
• Tertiary qualifications, completed or in progress, in youth work, social work, community development, psychology or related
• Ability to work flexible hours (weekends & evenings) from time to time

The Sparkways difference

Sparkways’ vision is to spark opportunity, belonging and growth. Founded in 1883 as the Try Society, Sparkways has a long and proud history, working to empower children and young people to reach their potential. Today Sparkways is a social purpose organisation, delivering access to early learning and care, and mentoring for the vulnerable and those at-risk.

Child safety and inclusiveness

Sparkways Early Learning are committed to child safety. The protection and wellbeing of children and young persons is reflected in our zero tolerance for child abuse. All staff and volunteers have a moral and legal responsibility to ensure that young people are safe whilst involved in our care and programs. All children have the right to safety and security and the protection from physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse and neglect.

Sparkways is a child safe and equal employment opportunity employer. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, from people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from people with a disability.