• $29,125 + super + not for profit salary packaging benefits + very remote location benefits
• Fixed Term Contract to 31 December 2024 - with possibility of extension
• Part Time - just 2 days a week!
• Location: Meekatharra WA 6642
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia
When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we stand together with anyone who needs us, for as long as they need us. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity
The Community Engagement Officer will work with the Remote School Attendance Strategy (RSAS) program. This is a vital engagement-focused program that works with communities and schools to improve school attendance. RSAS team members are local people from the community. They may be mums, dads, caregivers, aunties, uncles, or grandparents who want to help children in the community get to school.

Based in Meekatharra, you will bring support young people, parents, families, local organisations, and agencies, as guided by the NIAA RSAS Attendance Activity Plan, to attend school regularly, on time, and for a full day of school. You will encourage families' involvement in schooling, recognising, and reinforcing families' aspirations, goals, and existing strengths, whilst offering practical support.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Perform daily, weekly, and periodic tasks, including but not limited to morning and afternoon bus runs, food preparation, help organise uniforms, homework, and holiday activities.
• Collect and return parents for the school lunch period.
• Talk with children and families about the importance of regular school attendance.
• Celebrate and deliver rewards and incentives to young people and their families with increased school attendance.
• Work with families where children are not attending school to find out why, and what can be done to help them.
• Working with the school to monitor attendance and follow up on student absences.
• Referrals to other Mission Australia services as required.
• Participate in a range of community meetings and events to share information to highlight the needs of families to increase school attendance.

Requirements for Success
With a background in the child, youth & family sector, you will be confident in working with young people within a remote community service or education setting. Other requirements include:

• You must have full driver licence with no restrictions.
• Skill to engage with local groups and organisations, particularly the Meekatharra Aboriginal Reference Group, agencies, local organisations, and the school.
• Ability to attract and work with all members of the community, including young people, parents, grandparents, carers, and other family members.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate, particularly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Sensitive response to people experiencing financial distress with available support.
• Provide information, advocacy, referrals, and support as required.
• Punctual, reliable, and able to role model effective and professional work practices.
• Ability to deliver service outcomes on time and compliant with funding requirements.
• Relevant degree with at least one years' experience, Associated Diploma with relevant experience or less formal qualifications with substantial years of relevant experiences

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Our Culture
Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.
We prioritize the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you're skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.
If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [email protected] or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.
Find out more about a career with Mission Australia.

Your Benefits
To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work - every day you know you're making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support.
• Volunteering opportunities
• Extra leave available including an additional public holiday, additional annual leave day on your work anniversary and the opportunity to purchase further annual leave.
• Very Remote Location Benefits include:
  • Additional $1,000 each year to assist with cost of living in a remote area
  • 5 weeks Annual leave
  • Access to up to 5 additional days Personal/Carers leave each year (non-accruing)

How To Apply
To be considered for this opportunity, click 'apply' and send your application today!
As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Apply quickly to be considered for this exciting and diverse role.

Applications for this role are shortlisted as received and we are interviewing through the advertising period.