Youth Mentor - Staying on Track Program (Woorabinda) 12 months contract

CQID is experiencing enormous organisational growth across all services and seeking suitable candidates for a range of positions.

CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Maryborough and Woorabinda.

A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being an Employer of Choice.

• Be part of our exciting new service Staying on Track

• Ongoing training support and career advancement opportunities

• Generous Employee Benefits - Access to salary packaging, Fitness Passport + More!

About the CQID Youth Team

The CQID Youth Team walks alongside young people and their families during some of the most challenging times in their lives, providing consistent, culturally safe, and compassionate support that recognises each young person's story, strengths, and potential. We work in partnership with families, carers, and community to strengthen connections, restore trust, and create pathways that keep young people safe, supported, and hopeful about their future. Through trauma-informed and relationship-based practice, our team supports young people to navigate the youth justice and child protection systems while empowering families to remain central in their child's journey toward stability, accountability, and positive change.

Purpose of the Position

The Staying on Track Youth mentor works directly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 10-17 in the Woorabinda and surrounding communities, providing consistent, culturally safe, and practical support to help them stay on track and build positive futures. Using a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach, the Youth Mentor forms strong, trusting relationships with young people who are navigating complex challenges such as youth justice or child safety involvement, disengagement from school, family breakdown, homelessness, and social and emotional wellbeing concerns.

This role is about showing up, listening, and walking alongside young people. The Youth Mentor supports young people in their everyday lives helping them understand expectations, make positive choices, build life skills, and reconnect with culture, family, and community. Through mentoring, role modelling, and advocacy, the Youth Mentor helps young people build confidence, resilience, and hope for the future.

Whether it's supporting a young person to attend school, meet court conditions, stay safe, connect with services, or simply being a steady and reliable presence, the Youth Mentor plays a critical role in helping young people break cycles, strengthen identity, and move toward stability and wellbeing.

Staying on Track - Youth Mentor Duties

• Build strong, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families.
• Provide one-on-one and outreach mentoring in home, schools, community and on Country.
• Walk alongside young people through intakes, assessments, goal setting, and case plans.
• Use trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches in your everyday work
• Support young people to understand and follow court orders, case plans, and Staying on Track expectations.
• Be a positive role model and consistent support person young people can rely on.
• Help young people re-engage with school, training, or employment.
• Support development of life skills such as communication, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
• Assist young people to manage risk, stay safe, and make positive choices.
• Support connection to culture, family, Elders, and community activities.
• Advocate for young people with Youth Justice, Child Safety, schools, and other services.
• Work closely with Youth Justice, Child Safety, Detention Centres, and community services.
• Complete basic case notes and share information with the case management team
• Identify risks, complete safety planning, and help keep young people and staff safe
• Work safely in line with risk management plans, two-worker models, and organisation policies.
• Provide flexible support, including after-hours work when needed.
• Take part in supervision, training, and team meetings.

Skills and Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or experience in Youth Justice, with willingness to complete further training. Lived experience, and cultural knowledge will be highly regarded.
• Experience supporting young people, coaching, role modelling and developing plans to achieve goals.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with clients, families, and stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel to Biloela and Moura regions for outreach support.
• Commitment to completing the required induction and training.
• Current Driver Licence.
• Provide current First Aid and CPR Certificate.

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check, Queensland Blue Card Wroking with Children Check and Licence Care Service Check.