Community Development Officer

• SCHADS Award Level 4 + salary packaging
• Kallangur
• Permanent Part Time

Encircle has been supporting people in the Moreton Bay and Brisbane North regions for 35 years, creating a culture where everyone can be their best, in an environment that values inclusion, diversity, and flexibility. At Encircle, everyone is welcome, everyone belongs.

Our team is passionate, and we are making a difference. We are driven to support our community through their toughest challenges, helping them reach their goals. We work with energy, curiosity, professionalism and optimism.

About the Team

The Neighbourhoods Team work across three Neighbourhood Centres located in Pine Rivers, Redcliffe and Kallangur and support Encircles’ vision for communities to be connected resilient and thriving.

A large proportion of community members engage with us initially through our doors or over the phone, seeking support for their immediate needs which may include a hot meal or drink, a food parcel, access to laundry facilities, therapeutic and financial counselling, early intervention assistance to avoid homelessness, or to join one of the community groups that call our Centres home.

The Neighbourhood Centres are supported by a team of very passionate, qualified, and skilled people which include the Community Development team, Reception and Volunteer teams.

About this Role

This is a permanent, part time position, 35 hours per week: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm, based at Kallangur.

The Community Development Officer will contribute to the establishment of operational objectives for the Community Development team, utilising knowledge and skills which have been gained through qualifications and/or previous experience in Community Services, Community Development or other relevant area.

To be successful in this role you will be able to manage and plan own daily work schedules, Community Development activities and initiatives as well assisting in the supervision of students and volunteers in accordance with operational plans and objectives across Encircles operational areas.

• In this role you will gain an understanding of the existing guidelines and work procedures relating to community development with assistance, guidance, and mentoring available from senior team members.

Working cooperatively with the Community Development team, other Encircle staff, community groups and Key stakeholders to implement and evaluate community development initiatives that build connected and inclusive communities and respond to emerging community needs.

To view the full position description for this role, click here.

Duties:

• Actively contribute to the development of Community Development operational plans and setting outcomes and refine practices utilising judgment, Community Development knowledge and skills.
• Implement, manage and facilitate community activities in accordance with operational plans.
• Support the establishment of community development principles and practice as part of Encircle’s organisational culture. Develop and maintain productive and mutually beneficial working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including community individuals and civil society organisations and groups, schools and all levels of government.
• Support individuals and families that present with complex and/or high needs and assist them to access appropriate assistance, including through referral pathways and/or brief interventions.
• Support the continuous development and improvement of program design and program implementation responding to the identified needs and aspirations of communities.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports, proposals and submissions.
• Participate in the interagency groups, networks, committees and specific working groups which address issues and goals identified in the community.
• Positively contribute to the successful operation of the Community Development Team, including working on projects with other team members.
• Comply with all program and legislative requirements and standards relating to information sharing; privacy and confidentiality; and case recording.
• Support the Recruitment, onboarding, training, development, management and retention of Encircle in line with organizational procedures. Maintain volunteer information and probity including monitoring blue card, police checks, etc.
• Undertake other activities related to Community Development in line with approved operational plans.

Capabilities to be successful in this role

• To work under general supervision.
• Good verbal communication skills including effective listening, clear interpretation and presentation skills including public speaking.
• Ability to work in partnership with individuals and groups in the community.
• Development and presentation of statistical information including drafting reports, preparing internal and external correspondence.
• Energetic, self-motivated with lateral and forward thinking skills.
• Intermediate Computer literacy with experience using the Microsoft Office Suite of Products with the ability to prepare written reports and other correspondence and meet reporting and organisational database requirements.

Key Selection Criteria

To be successful in this role you will be able to:

1. Theoretical understanding of community development approaches, systems and practice and strength-based frameworks for working with communities.
2. Demonstrated experience delivering strength-based community development programs, activities and events with communities.
3. Proven expertise in the design, delivery and management of community development programs that address complex social needs in a diverse community.
4. Demonstrated experience supervising, supporting, mentoring, advising and guiding colleagues and volunteers.
5. Highly developed ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people, build positive relationships and work in collaboration with a range of stakeholders.
6. Effective interpersonal and communication skills, proven ability to negotiate and influence positive community outcomes.
7. High level of communication and computer skills that includes database management, collection of statistical data, preparation of reports, social media and familiarity with MS Office suite.
8. Demonstrated understanding of contemporary challenges, needs, issues and sensibilities of all people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), LGBTIQA+ backgrounds and other vulnerable population groups and the ability to respond by utilising a community development approach.

Required Qualifications and Experience 

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Services, Community Devlopment or related field will be high regarded.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a similar role.

For further information please contact . All enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence.

Encircle is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a CALD background and people living with a disability.

To apply for this position, you should include a cover letter introducing yourself, clearly identifying the position you are applying for, with clear responses to each of the key Selection Criteria points outlined above and provide your qualifications and experience.  A copy of your Resume should also be included with your application.

If you feel you have the right qualifications, and experience and would like to work in the Community Services space, please apply by submitting your application here via seek.com.au.

Please note that we will not be accepting applications via employment agencies.

Applications for this role will be assessed when received and suitable candidates contacted for interviews. Therefore, you are encouraged to submit your applications promptly in order to be considered for this exciting role.