Youth Worker

Job type: Full time / From 28/01/2025 - 19/12/2025

Organisation: Schools (Government)

Salary: Salary not specified

Occupation: Education and Training

Reference: 1459944

Location Profile

Sunbury College is a vibrant, cohesive and inclusive school located 35km (about 30 minutes drive) from the CBD in Melbourne's north-west growth corridor. The college holds the values of respect, responsibility, resilience and endeavour as guiding principles. It has a focus on the academic growth, personal development and general wellbeing of each student. It is greatly valued by its local community of Sunbury and surrounds.

The student enrolment is currently 1050. The staff are in the main a mixture of mature, experienced teachers in the expert range along with a number of graduates providing the school with an energetic mix. Our staff are committed, professional and collaborative. They value continuous improvement and development.

A comprehensive curriculum is offered from years 7-12, including VET options, and the college is organised around three sub-schools (Years 7-8, 9-10, 11-12) and four houses. The college has well-established co-curricular programs with high interest and success in sport, the performing arts, student leadership and student engagement activities.

Sunbury College is set on eight hectares and has well-established facilities in the final stages of being modernised. Our new classrooms and science building are now fully established.

Our strategic directions going forward have a strong emphasis on pedagogical development and on student agency and voice in their learning. In the area of student pathways and transition, the college aims to provide a post compulsory program, counselling and advice that maximises the further education, training and employment options for all students. As part of its focus on student engagement and wellbeing, the college has undertaken to provide a supportive and productive learning environment supported by positive student and teacher relationships that promotes overall wellbeing and engaged, motivated learners with a strong sense of connection to the school community.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated understanding of youth work and evidence of knowledge of current practices.
2. Demonstrated experience engaging with youth that could have complex needs.
3. Demonstrated experience working within a multi-discipline team.
4. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills.
5. Demonstrated experience in group development, implementation and review.

Role

Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.

Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.

This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee’s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Responsibilities

Youth Worker roles and responsibilities

Sunbury College is ensuring that the school is prepared for its current and future needs. The College is aligned with evidenced based practices including School Wide Behaviour Support, Respectful Relationships curriculum, Safe School Coalition and eSmart.

The School has a strong focus on student voice, engagement, wellbeing and academic growth and achievement.

The role is one that works in the Student Support division of the school, with the main focus around whole school engagement, improved wellbeing and increased academic outcomes.

It is expected that you contribute to the improvement of student outcomes in the following areas:

• Connectedness to school
• Learning outcomes
• Engagement
• Resilience
• Learning Confidence

Description:

The role will require the following skills and practices:

Engagement

• Hands on and interactive
• Whole school engagement with students, staff, community, and other professionals
• Plan, develop and implement student group programs
• Use of evidence-based practices to engage students, staff and the community
• Attending and participating in extra curriculum activities, including camps, excursions, and school activities
• Active role in Sunbury Colleges re-engagement program- Game Changers.
• Be aligned to a Sub-school and work with the Sub-school to meet the wellbeing needs of students in a timely and professional manner
• Provision of one-on-one mentoring support for students
• Deliver group programs to meet the wellbeing needs of students.
• Make referrals as needed to appropriate professionals and services.
• Identify students at risk of educational disengagement and work with others to support.

Productivity

• Keep detailed notes and records of conversations with staff, students, parents/carers and other professionals
• Meet minimum key performance indicators as defined
• Work with and attend regular meetings with the team and other teams as required
• Provide Leadership with regular updates and participate in group supervision.

Achievement

• Evaluate the success of your programs through improved student outcomes

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

EEO AND OHS Commitment

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability.

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards.

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools.