Job description
At a glance
- Make a real impact during a life-changing adventure in the Northern Territory
- Starting salary $90k + super + salary packaging + 5 weeks annual leave
- Free housing – no bills, no rent, fully-furnished, free wi-fi, shared 4WD ute
- Experience two-way cross-cultural learning
About the role
We’re looking for a community-minded, competent person to lead the day-to-day operations at the newly refurbished public swimming pool in Wadeye, a remote Aboriginal community 420km south-west of Darwin.
Your key goals will be:
- Open the pool consistently and safely, considering both physical and cultural safety
- Offer pathways for local people to gain training and sustainable employment
- Develop the community’s water safety skills and knowledge, as a protector against drowning
- Deliver health promotion and community engagement activities
Success in this role looks like the people of Wadeye feeling safe and proud to work, learn and gather at their pool.
Previous aquatics experience is desirable, but we can organise training and upskilling for you – most important is a values-driven, culturally respectful, self-reflective, community-led approach and attitude.
Conditions and benefits
- Full-time, 12-month contract
- Living and working in Wadeye, NT
- Salary starting from $90,000pa, plus super, plus generous salary packaging
- 5 weeks of annual leave
- Free fully-furnished accommodation, including utilities and Wi-Fi
- Access to a 4WD ute shared with one other staff member
Key responsibilities
Working in partnership with Traditional Owners, local government and local stakeholders, the coordinator will be responsible for:
- The safe operation of the popular community swimming pool, as per various national, state and YMCA guidelines
- Recruiting, training, employing and supporting a team of local people to staff the pool
- Delivering learn-to-swim and water safety education programs
- Delivering community engagement and health promotion activities
- Creating a culturally safe environment at the pool, where Aboriginal people feel safe and proud to work, learn and gather
- Liaising with the communications coordinator on content and stories for our social media and partner reporting
What you bring to the role
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Deeply respectful of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
- Able to build trusting and supportive relationships with people of all ages
- Experienced working or volunteering with children and young people or in community development
- Resilient and adaptable in changing and/or challenging situations
- Curious and open-minded, eager to learn in a cross-cultural setting
- Able to patiently guide and mentor teams to deliver outcomes
- Compassionate and caring for children, young people and communities
- Willing to follow instructions and respond constructively to feedback
Experience in the aquatics industry is desirable, but the Y will support the right person to obtain any necessary qualifications (e.g. pool lifeguard qualification) and provide ongoing training and coaching.
Successful applicants also need a valid Working With Children Clearance, National Crime Check, Driver’s Licence and Northern Land Council permit.
About the Remote Pools Project
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are up to 3.5 times more likely to drown than other Australians, particularly if they live in a remote area. Access to a safe place to swim, swimming lessons and water safety education are all key to preventing drowning, yet pools in remote communities have historically been open irregularly, or not at all.
The Remote Pools Project was founded in 2021 as an initiative of the YMCA of the Northern Territory. Our mission is to keep pools open in remote communities and maximise their health, economic and social potential.
Pools are the best classroom to learn swimming and lifesaving, reducing the risk of drowning. Yet they are so much more than a place to swim. Pools can improve hygiene and protect against infections; create ongoing training and employment opportunities; improve physical and mental health; increase school attendance; and become thriving community hubs.
Our vision is that in every remote community across Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel safe and proud to work, learn and gather at their local pool.
For more information about the Remote Pools Project, visit our website or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
About The Y Northern Territory
The Y Northern Territory is anot-for-profit, community organisation working for a better world, with and for young people. Proudly Territorian, we’ve been delivering grassroots programs across the Northern Territory for over 50 years.
We’re also part of a global YMCA network – the world’s largest youth movement, reaching almost 65 million people in 120 countries.
At the Y, we believe in the power of inspired young people. When children and young people have a strong foundation, the tools to grow and the right support, we know it can have a profound impact on the trajectory of their lives, and on the world around them.
That’s why we’re dedicated to walking alongside children and young people, from their early life to adulthood. Because when they thrive, we all thrive.
Safeguarding children and young people
At the Y, we are committed to empowering all Children and Young People to feel safe and be safe, at the Y, in their families and in their communities. As such, we ensure that all of our candidates are appropriately screened (including police checks) to make sure that the right people are in the right roles.
To learn more about our screening processes, click here to view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy: https://ymca.org.au/about-us/safeguarding-children-young-people/safeguardingresources
Interested?
Great! Please click ‘Apply Now’ to submit your application by the closing date!
- Address applications to Kurt Herzog, manager of the Remote Pools Project
- Include your CV (no more than 2 pages) and cover letter (no more than one page) addressing the section ‘What you bring to the role’
If you have questions about this role, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Pool Coordinator – Wadeye enquiry via EthicalJobs.