Illawarra Community Hubs Project Officer – Wollongong

Do you want to work in one of Australia’s leading organisations providing treatment and rehabilitation to torture and trauma survivors; that’s quality focused, diverse & committed to making a difference in the livesof vulnerable people in communities?

Come & join us!

The Organisation

“STARTTS is a not-for-profit Affiliated Health Organisation focused on providing a broad range of services to refugees in NSW. The focus of STARTTS approach is on building capacity and empowering people and communities to take control over their own lives, using a strengths-based approach and building on individual, family, community and cultural strengths.”

The Role

Community Hubs are welcoming places based in schools where families from diverse backgrounds, particularly mothers with pre-school children, come to connect, share, and learn. Every Hub is different but works towards a common goal of building social cohesion in Australian communities through engaging culturally isolated families, building local connections and delivering formal and informal skills training.

Hubs focus on supporting families to connect opportunities in the early years space, aiming to improve child development and school readiness. Hubs focus on partnerships that encourage existing services to deliver their projects at the Hubs. Programming is tailored to each individual Hub after consulting with families and with the support of the national network.

The Illawarra Community Hubs Project Officer supports Hub Leaders and Hub schools in Illawarra to deliver a quality offering by providing the necessary organisation, support, guidance, connections, and opportunities needed for the Hubs to thrive. The Illawarra Community Hubs Project Officer acts as the conduit between the sites, to local services and opportunities, and the national team and network of hubs to support the delivery of an offering aligned with the outcomes-based framework for the national program.

• Position No: 1022-3
• Enquiries: Rachelle Coe on (02) 9646 6700
• Work Type: Part-time; 24 hours per week. Contract up to 30 June 2026 (Continuation subject to ongoing funding)
• Location:​ Wollongong
• Vaccination Requirement: Category A.
• Salary: Health Education Officer, or other relevant classification based on qualifications, experience and requirements of the role. A generous salary packaging scheme is also offered.

Skills and Qualifications Required

Essential:

1. Knowledge of the culture, history, and current issues of diverse communities in Illawarra.
2. Relevant qualifications (Social Work, Psychology, Social Sciences or other relevant) or extensive experience working with diverse communities.
3. Understanding of refugee issues, and the effects of torture on individuals, families and communities particularly families with young children.
4. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team within a multicultural environment.
5. Understanding and strong demonstrated experience of project management and community work.
6. Experience working with schools and thorough understanding of school communities and environment.
7. Demonstrated knowledge and skills in staff leadership and/or mentoring.
8. Excellent oral, written & interpersonal communication skills and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office.

Desirable Requirements:

1. Bi-lingual in a language relevant to local community.
2. Current NSW Driver’s License.

*This position is considered child-related employment and will require a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

*This role is a Category A role. It is mandatory for Category A workers to meet and maintain the vaccination criteria (as per the current NSW Health and STARTTS policies) including annual Influenza vaccinations. Two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine will be required to provide a record of your COVID-19 vaccination status. If successful you must provide evidence of vaccination.

Additionally, vaccination and/or assessment is required for Category A workers for the following transmissible diseases – measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and tuberculosis. If successful you must also provide evidence of vaccination and/or assessment.

Should you not be able to comply with vaccination requirements before your commencement date, the offer of employment may be withdrawn.

If you have a medical reason for why you cannot be vaccinated, a medical contraindication evidence will be required.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please ensure you address the selection criteria as thoroughly as possible. 

1. Click “Apply Now” and complete a STARTTS Application for Employment Form
2. Write a Statement Against the Selection Criteria outlining how you meet the selection criteria (see the guide “How to apply for a job at STARTTS”)
3. Submit an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
4. Provide copies of relevant Qualifications if applicable (overseas qualification must be assessed by an appropriate Australian body to be considered)
5. Statements of Service from previous relevant roles (if applicable, please ask us for a sample)
6. A cover letter is optional.
7. Email your application and supporting documents to the email address provided under “How to Apply”.

NB: Depending on the role, if appointed, you may need a current ‘NSW Working With Children Check’ clearance, follow this link for information on how to apply of your check: www.ocg.nsw.gov.au/working-children-check/applicant.

A position description is attached.