First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator (Identified)

About Orygen

Orygen is Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and the largest translational research organisation dedicated to youth mental health in the world.

For over 30 years, Orygen has led groundbreaking early intervention and developed evidence-based models of care to improve the mental health outcomes of young people aged 12-25.

About the job

As a First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator, you will provide culturally informed, strength-based support and mentoring to young people and families from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds requiring mental health support at headspace Werribee.

This is a newly developed leadership role within a brand-new program seeking to reduce stigma and identify and address barriers that may impact on young, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people’s engagement to access mental health care and act as a senior cultural leader within the team.

Reporting to the Clinical Services Manager you will:

• Provide culturally informed support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families, ensuring their voices are supported to guide their own care and engagement.
• Provide cultural expertise to assessments, care planning and wellbeing support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people, and ensure cultural considerations are included in clinical decisions.
• Co‑design and deliver First Nations programs, workshops and events, and support evaluation and continuous improvement for young people and their families.
• Provide leadership and operational support to First Nations team members, including wellbeing meetings, reporting and liaison with the Clinical Services Manager.
• Build strong relationships with ACCOs and local communities to strengthen pathways, referrals and awareness of headspace services.

This is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identified Position, classified under 'special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

Skills and experience

The following criteria must be met for consideration for this position:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background and demonstrated experience in working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people and their families. 
• Certificate IV in Aboriginal Health Care Practice, or other relevant post- secondary qualifications in Health, such as Certificate IV in Mental Health, Youth Work or Community Development. 
• Capacity to develop effective working relationships, collaborations and partnerships with a range of services within the broader community service system, particularly ACCOs. 
• Willingness to engage in the planning and provision of community engagement and capacity building activities. 
• Ability to utilize cultural expertise and lived experience to support young people through their mental health.

Benefits

• $92,274 - $99,291 pro rata commensurate with skills and experience (SCHADS 4) + 12% superannuation and $15,900 in NFP salary packaging + $2,600 meals and entertainment card & personal use car.
• Make a real impact on First Nations young people in a dynamic, youth-centred environment.
• Support Orygen's mission for youth mental health and contribute to positive social change.
• Be part of a team that values collaboration and innovative thinking, driving impactful results.
• Ability to purchase additional leave; access to EAP; generous Parental Leave Scheme.
• Benefit from a location that is easily accessible by public transport and offers amenities that support a healthy work-life balance.

How to apply

If you’re ready to make a difference in youth mental health and be part of a collaborative, innovative team, apply now.

For the full position description, visit HERE.

This is a part-time contract, 0.8FTE (4 days per week) until December 2027.

Applications will close at 3pm on the advertised closing date, unless a suitable candidate is found sooner.

Before applying at Orygen, it’s important to understand that you may encounter sensitive information related to mental health as part of your work. Being aware of this and how it could affect you is essential in deciding if this is the right opportunity for you.

Orygen is committed to providing diverse, equitable and inclusive environments for Staff and anyone connected to Orygen. We strive to continue building a culturally safe workplace where our values underpin the way we work and our commitment to First Nations people of Australia, young people and their families, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ people and CALD communities. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people. Orygen is a child-safe organisation and is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and well-being of all young people and embedding safeguarding practices into all our programs and services. All employment appointments are subject to holding a valid working with children check and successful police check.