Community Service Worker – Permanent

Situated on the Gadigal Land of the Eora Nation (Kings Cross), Wayside is known for its inclusive, low-barrier support services, offering dignity, respect, and love to our diverse and vulnerable community. As a part of Wayside, you will help us achieve our mission to create a community of no ‘us and them’. As a Community Service Worker (CSW), you will be at the heart of our support services, serving as the first point of contact for Wayside’s visitors. Your main responsibility will be to provide a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for those who are seeking help, connection or community from Wayside. In your role, you will also offer practical assistance and crisis support, responding to urgent needs such as homelessness, mental health crises, and other emergencies.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, supporting and uplifting members of the Wayside community.

Key Details:

• Monday 1pm to 8pm, Tuesday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Daytime programs include the Community Care Program, which may involve accompanying visitors to external appointments or engaging in activities/support on-site

Key Responsibilities:

• Welcome and engage with visitors, assessing their immediate needs and manage visitor flow through the service
• Offer practical assistance, including access to showers, toiletries, emergency clothing, and meals
• Create and facilitate activities that foster visitor engagement and connection
• Maintain a safe and inclusive space, responding to behaviours of concern with appropriate intervention strategies
• Assess visitors in line with Wayside criteria to ensure suitability to access services.
• Provide information on Wayside’s programs and other available local services
• Provide crisis support and respond to immediate visitor issues
• Participate in inter-agency meetings when required and ensure Wayside offers a consistent, professional and supportive presence.
• Explore collaborative opportunities to expand relationships and collaborative work with local service providers
• Maintain a safe environment through monitoring visitor behaviour and managing incidents as they arise, including dealing with aggression, challenging behavioural issues, substance use, overdose, suicidal ideation, complex and co-occurring mental health presentations
• Record accurate and timely data and information and effectively use available systems; This includes internal systems to record program statistics, check-in, visitor flags, CIMS and other systems utilised in interagency meetings
• Ensure a safe and inclusive space is maintained by responding to behaviours of concern through appropriate management and de-escalation strategies

About you

• Relevant qualifications in Community Services Work, Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs or a related field, and/or significant experience supporting vulnerable populations
• Current First Aid and CPR or willingness to obtain
• Experience working with at-risk communities and an understanding of the challenges they face, including mental health, homelessness, trauma, substance abuse and more
• Knowledge of and experience working within trauma-informed care principles
• Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure environment, demonstrating initiative and flexibility
• A team player who values knowledge sharing and is committed to upholding Wayside’s culture and values
• Understanding of community-based model of care and commitment to the mission, vision and values of Wayside.

About Wayside

Wayside has provided unconditional love, care and support to the most marginalised people on and around the streets of Sydney since 1964. Our mission is to create a community with no ‘us and them’, and address underlying issues of inequality, wellbeing, and loneliness.

From our centres in Kings Cross and Bondi and through outreach teams, we offer a range of support services that place dignity, respect, and love at the heart of what we do.

What we offer

• Five week’s Annual Leave + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
• 3 additional days of Flex Leave
• $15,900 of your annual salary tax free through generous NFP salary packaging
• Access to external clinical supervision
• Paid Parental Leave – 10 weeks
• Paid Cultural and Ceremonial Leave
• Employee Assistance Program – Free, confidential counselling service

If you’re looking for a role where you can make an immediate and visible difference every day, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to be part of a team that directly impacts the lives of those in need.

To apply, submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you’re passionate about this opportunity. Join us at Wayside Chapel and help us create a more inclusive, supportive community for all.

For more information, please reach out to Blayze Thomas – Talent Acquisition [email protected] using the subject line: Community Service Worker – Permanent enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Wayside is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people.

We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Prior to an offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete the pre-employment checks including a Police check & Working with Children check.