Community Development Worker/Officer

Community Development aims to assist in the development of safe, active and healthy communities. Strengthening communities improves the social, economic and environmental health of the community. Community development involves working with local communities to plan for present and future needs, focusing
on people – particularly in disadvantaged communities. Community development work opportunities are usually found in Government or government-funded not-for-profit organisations.

Roles
Jobs in community development are varied. They cover a range of sectors and have a variety of titles, but will most commonly be called community worker/officer. Community development workers work with groups in the community to identify issues of need and facilitate these
groups to develop solutions to address these issues. Work in this field could involve assisting local groups applying for grant funding, developing resources, setting up projects within communities or researching needs of specific communities and community groups.  For example:

• Coordinating translating government materials into different languages
• Advocating for a new public transport route
• Establishing networks for isolated people in their community
• Working with young mums to establish a play group
• Working with community groups and local authorities to develop community services policies

These positions may often by part time or project based for a specific period of time, due to the nature of funding for these organisations. Many workers in this sector will work at more than one organisation in order to achieve the equivalent of full time work.

More information on types of work, duties, and salaries in community development work is available at MyFuture.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to facilitate groups
• Ability to engage and work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds
• Demonstrated skills in networking, liaison and the development and maintenance of strong links with relevant service providers and users
• Strong problem solving, decision making, planning and evaluation skills
• Understanding of the issues experienced by specific groups in the community for example older people, young people, women, multicultural groups etc
• Ability to provide outreach case management services to people with complex needs
• Knowledge base of the principles and practices within social and community service
• Time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure without supervision
• Report writing experience
• Passion for supporting the community

Possible Qualifications/ Experience Required

• Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related field
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Diploma in Community Services Work
• Counselling course (e.g. Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Counselling at Deakin University) or undergraduate units in counselling including HPY210 and HPY310
• Volunteer work with a community organisation
• Working with children check
• Police check
• First Aid certificate

Possible Employers
Employers in this area are typically not-for-profit organisations, community-based agencies or local government. Examples include large not-for-profits such as St Vincent de Paul, or smaller issue-specific groups, neighbourhood houses, community health centres,
advocacy groups, faith-based organisations and local councils. Employers include but are not limited to:

• Department of Human Services
• St Vincent de Paul
• Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service
• Mission Australia
• Wesley Mission Victoria

Community Support Worker (Mental Health)

Community Support workers provide support and assistance to members of the community in a range of areas, one of the largest of these being mental health. They provide high quality support services to assist people in their own homes, boarding houses/hostels, and within the community.  Their
focus is on empowering individuals to develop opportunities to further their own interests, personal and social skills, and to strengthen networks.

Roles
Community Support Workers work in a range of areas, one of the largest being mental health. Mental health conditions commonly worked with include depression, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders (such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Hoarding and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
to name but a few. There are a wide variety of roles that Community Support Workers undertake including:

• Assisting clients to develop and maintain sustainable and meaningful lifestyles
• Identifying and assisting clients to manage personal issues, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, and self-harm behaviours
• Helping clients to develop coping and living skills such as financial, home management, employment, education, nutrition, physical health, social, recreational, anger and stress management
• Working collaboratively with clients to identify, develop and implement individual service plans
• Being involved in the planning, facilitation and review of group work such as client meetings and social, recreational and personal development activities
• Liaising with other service providers including mental health professionals and education, employment, vocational, social and recreational agencies
• Keeping accurate and legible client files

Skills

• Knowledge and experience in human services delivery preferably in the mental health field
• A high level of interpersonal and communication skills, especially the ability to listen, engage and communicate clearly and empathically
• Ability to work within the parameters, values and guiding principles of a “Recovery” model of practice
• Capacity to cope personally, while working with people experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and other mental health difficulties
• Skills and experience in advocacy, collaboration, facilitation, evaluation and problem solving of complex issues as well as team skills to make a quality contribution

Possible Qualifications/Experience Required

• Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related field
• Certificate IV in Mental Health
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Diploma in Community Services Work
• Counselling course (e.g. Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Counselling at Deakin University) or undergraduate units in counselling including HPY210 and HPY310
• Experience working with people with intellectual disabilities and acquired brain injuries
• Experience in assisting people with histories of mental illness, complicated by factors such as trauma, substance abuse, other disabilities, homelessness, personality disorders and systemic disadvantage
• Volunteer work with a community organisation
• Police check

Possible Employers
Employers in this area are typically not-for-profit organisations or community-based organisations. They might include specific mental health services, general health and community organisations or community groups and local councils. Specific examples are:

• Department of Human Services
• Mind Australia
• Reach Out
• St Vincent de Paul

Children and Families

Children and Family services help children, young people, families and those facing hardship or disadvantage. This includes support, information, advocacy, case management and activity based programs across a range of circumstances, such as:

• At risk situations (suffering from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, family violence, lack of housing, being a victim of a violent crime, a child with a developmental delay and dealing with a disability)
• Needing educational support
• Needing financial support
• Requiring parenting support
• Requiring early childhood support (including day care, residential care)

Roles
Family and child support roles might include:

• Liaising with relevant service providers to develop joint initiatives and integrated responses to issues affecting children and families
• Developing clear referral pathways and coordinating service delivery to families and children
• Developing support plans for children and families at risk
• Developing interventions for families who are at risk or require further support
• Counselling
• Undertaking mandatory reporting

Skills

• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to be empathic
• Ability to follow procedures and instructions and to apply the principles of ethical decision making
• Ability to work within a legal and ethical framework with issues of a highly confidential nature
• Ability to work in an inclusive manner with children and young people and to follow a participatory decision-making model
• Knowledge of a range of assessment and counselling skills and referral services

Possible Qualifications/ Experience Required

• Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related field
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Diploma in Community Services Work
• Counselling course (e.g. Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Counselling at Deakin University) or undergraduate units in counselling including HPY210 and HPY310
• Volunteer work with a community organisation
• Working with children check
• Police check
• First Aid certificate

Possible Employers
Employers could include community-based services, referral services, telephone or online counselling services, larger not-for-profits, community health services, and resource centres:

• Department of Human Services
• Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service
• MacKillop Family Services
• Kildonan Uniting Services
• Mission Australia
• Wesley Mission Victoria

Domestic/Family Violence

There are a range of services which assist those suffering from domestic/family violence – primarily women and children.  Services might include telephone counselling, referral to services such as emergency accommodation or crisis counselling, supporting women and children to remain at home
or find shelter temporarily, and advocacy for support services, the police and the criminal justice systems.

Roles
Domestic violence workers could undertake a range of tasks and activities including:

• Developing risk assessments, case support and safety plans where required
• Liaising with relevant agencies such as police and legal services
• Advocating to agencies and other providers on behalf of clients
• Counselling
• Reporting on case progress
• Undertaking mandatory reporting
• Facilitating work programs for children affected by domestic/family violence
• Running men’s behavioural programs
• Providing parenting support

Skills
Depending on the type of job, skills could include:

• Experience working with a degree of autonomy
• Well-developed communication skills to work with staff, clients, other agencies and the public
• Understanding and experience of the provision of crisis intervention and support along with awareness of appropriate crisis responses and supplier services
• Knowledge of a range of assessment and counselling skills and referral services
• An understanding of current legislation that relates to Family Violence laws
• Knowledge of issues stemming from family violence including homelessness & abuse
• Ability to assess and support women and children’s needs
• Ability to operate as part of a team

Possible Qualifications/Experience Required

• Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related field
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Diploma in Community Services Work
• Counselling course (e.g. Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Counselling at Deakin University) or undergraduate units in counselling including HPY210 and HPY310
• Volunteer work with a community organisation
• Working with children check
• Police check
• First Aid certificate

Possible Employers
Employers could include specific domestic or family violence community-based services, referral services, telephone or online counselling services, larger not-for-profits who support victims of domestic violence, community health services, and resource centres:

• Department of Human Services
• Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service
• MacKillop Family Services
• Kildonan Uniting Services
• Mission Australia
• Wesley Mission Victoria

Youth

Youth services and programs are widespread and varied across a range of sectors which include education, health, mental health, housing, family and children services, substance abuse, justice and sport and recreation, just to name a few. However, they all address the needs of youth, particularly those
who are vulnerable or at risk.

Roles
Youth workers work in a range of community-based environments, and could involve:

• Counselling on youth helplines
• Delivering services to assist young people at risk of entering the youth justice system through assessing needs and assisting them to develop positive life goals and access other support and services
• Running youth peer support programs, delivering regular and mutual support in group settings, and aiming to facilitate change to maintain safe behaviours and healthier lifestyles
• Working with specific youth cohorts such as recently arrived or refugee youth to provide support in settling into life in Australia
• Running outreach programs for youth
• Facilitating recreational, leisure and other programs for young people in local communities to assist them to reach their full potential
• Running programs in juvenile detention to make a positive difference to the custodial experience for young detainees
• Client support and supervision in residential programs
• Running youth support and  mentoring programs

More information on types of work, duties, and salaries in youth work is available atMyFuture

Skills

• Experience in and knowledge of community development principles and practice
• Knowledge and/or experience in working with specific youth cohorts
• Experience in liaising and networking effectively with a range of stakeholders
• Experience in organising and facilitating forums, workshops and events
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• Knowledge of the range of issues facing young people
• Ability to work unsupervised at times, manage one’s own work schedule, to be flexible and use initiative to meet individual and program needs

Possible Qualifications/ Experience Required

• Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related field
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Diploma in Community Services Work
• Counselling course (e.g. Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Counselling at Deakin University) or undergraduate units in counselling including HPY210 and HPY310
• Volunteer work with a community organisation or school
• Working with children check
• Police check
• First Aid certificate

Possible Employers
Employers in this area are typically not-for-profit organisations or community-based organisations. They might include specific youth services, general health and community organisations which run youth programs, community groups and local councils. Specific
examples are:

• Department of Human Services
• Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service
• MacKillop Family Services
• Kildonan Uniting Services
• Mission Australia
• Wesley Mission Victoria
• YMCA
• YWCA

Drug and Alcohol

Alcohol and drug workers provide assessment, support and intervention to clients with alcohol and drug issues and implement health promotion and community intervention programs.

Roles
Alcohol and drug workers may perform the following tasks:

• Provide support while assisting to explore alternatives with clients who experience difficulties with alcohol and/or drugs
• Provide alcohol and/or other drug withdrawal services
• Work with clients who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Provide emergency response intervention
• Provide needle exchange services
• Assist putting health promotion, community intervention and education programs on drug and alcohol awareness in place
• Identify and help children and young people at risk of harm
• Provide information and support on health, wellbeing and parenting
• Provide emergency response to individuals at risk of self-harm or suicide
• Act as an advocate on behalf of clients
• Assist in evaluation and preparation of reports requesting funding for programs and new projects
• Arrange clients to be referred to other appropriate specialist professionals or support workers

Skills

• Strong interpersonal, advocacy and negotiation skills
• Ability to assess clients’ needs, and to design and implement treatment plans
• Creativity to address issues and challenges that are faced by clients
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of drug and alcohol use and inter-related social, family and individual issues

Possible Qualifications/ Experience Required

• Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related field
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Diploma in Community Services Work
• Certificate IV in Drugs and Alcohol
• Counselling course (e.g. Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Counselling at Deakin University) or undergraduate units in counselling including HPY210 and HPY310
• Volunteer work with a community organisation
• Working with children check
• Police check
• First Aid certificate

Possible Employers
Employers could include community-based services, referral services, telephone or on-line counselling services, larger not-for-profits, community health services, and private clinics:

• Department of Human Services
• Salvation Army
• St Vincent de Paul
• Uniting Care Australia

Disability

Support services for people with disabilities (both physical and intellectual) operate in a range of areas including employment, accommodation, life skills and respite. Disability support workers promote, facilitate and advocate for the rights and interests of people living with disabilities.

Roles
There are a range of roles available for working with people with disabilities. These include working with people with intellectual disabilities and acquired brain injuries or with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy or paraplegia/quadriplegia.  The following
lists the type of tasks that may be performed:

• Provide information, support and referral to clients
• Undertake client assessments and develop client care plans
• Maintain accurate case files and notes
• Deliver training and promote awareness, sensitivity and knowledge regarding a range of issues
• Liaise with a range of community groups and service providers
• Develop/coordinate a range of community education strategies to raise awareness for people with disabilities and their families

Skills
Depending on the type of disability and on the type of role, jobs in this field may require a range of skills:

• Skill in working with people with a wide range of disabilities
• Knowledge of issues relating to people with disabilities
• Awareness of programs and services within the community for those with disabilities
• Ability to work from an empowerment model
• Familiarity with policy and legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act
• An understanding of the home and community care system
• Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance and Occupational Health and Safety regulations
• Good team working skills including the ability to problem solve collaboratively
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Project management skills

Possible Qualifications/ Experience Required

• Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related field
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Diploma in Community Services Work
• Certificate III or IV in Disability
• Counselling course (e.g. Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Counselling at Deakin University)
• Volunteer work with a community organisation
• Working with children check
• Police check
• First Aid certificate

Possible Employers
Employers in this area are typically not-for-profit organisations, community-based agencies or local government. Examples include large not-for-profits such as St Vincent De Paul or smaller issue-specific groups. Examples include:

• Department of Human Services
• St Vincent de Paul
• MacKillop Family Services
• Scope
• Yooralla

Education and Training (Trainer/Facilitator)

Working in schools as a teacher or psychologist requires formal qualifications and registration in these areas. If you are interested in working with children or adolescents there are other areas you may like to look into including childcare or assisting students with special needs in the classroom.
Both of these require additional training such as the Certificate III in Children’s Services or the Certificate III in Education Support. (See also Youth Work).

Working as a trainer or facilitator is another option. Trainers and Facilitators design and deliver programs as well as assess learning outcomes. There are a vast range of settings in which they may work. (See also the section on Human Resources).

Roles
Trainers and facilitators work in a number of areas across the community and other sectors. It may be worth noting however, that organisations seeking trainers often require that they have significant (many years) experience in the specialist area or industry in which they
are training others. Duties could include:

• Overseeing, managing and co-ordinating all training activities within the organisation
• Developing, delivering and evaluating competency-based training programs
• Ascertaining training needs and responding to requests for appropriate training modules
• Overseeing resource writing and compliance of promotional material & training resources
• Building strong relationships with managers and students to facilitate quality learning outcomes
• Contributing to the development of curriculum/training competency frameworks
• Maintaining a high level of knowledge in relation to clinical education best practices and research

Skills

• Undergraduate qualifications in a range of disciplines including psychology
• Computer skills, particularly in the development of presentations and training programs
• Ability to manage and work with diverse stakeholders to achieve planned training outcomes
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to network and build strong relationships
• Experience and understanding of organisational requirements in the provision of training in government, community and corporate settings

Possible Qualifications/ Experience Required

• Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment or related training qualifications
• Training/facilitator experience
• Experience facilitating groups
• Sales and/or business development experience
• Experience in managing clinical skills training programs and training teams

Possible Employers
There are a huge range of employers in this area which include private, government and community organisations. Although some of the roles are ongoing, often people who work in this area find that many positions are contracted for a set period of time and so
the opportunities for self-employment or sub-contracting are numerous. A simple search engine search or visit to an employment website will generate employer names and jobs in the area in which you are interested.

Aged Care

Aged Care is a large sector which continues to grow. Individuals who work in this area are often involved in providing a range of services which aim to support elderly members of the community to live in a variety of settings including their own homes, retirement villages, hostels, nursing homes or
crisis housing. They frequently deal with aging related issues such as disability, illness, Alzheimer’s disease, depression/isolation and others.

Roles
Individuals working in this area work in a range of settings and undertake a range of tasks and activities, including:

• Case Management
• Planning, coordinating and implementing agreed plans for individuals and their carers
• Providing support, guidance and advice to individuals, their carers, other family members and other nominated representatives
• Liaising with appropriate agencies to ensure coordinated implementation of services to individuals
• Identifying and reporting on service gaps and lack of access by particular minority groups where relevant
• Liaising as appropriate with Aged Care Assessment Services, the Department of Health & Ageing and other key people
• Where necessary, conducting joint home visits and assessments with nominated staff
• Completing all documentation regarding assessment, plans and service provision for clients
• Maintaining up-to-date data and records and complying with all relevant policies and procedures

Skills                              

• Understanding and commitment to person centred practises
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse groups
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with a high degree of initiative
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Well-developed skills in the use of computer software: Word, Excel, Internet and email

Possible Qualifications/ Experience Required

• Undergraduate qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related field
• Certificate IV in Community Services Work or Diploma in Community Services Work
• Certificate III/IV in Aged Care
• Counselling course (e.g. Graduate Certificate/Diploma of Counselling at Deakin University) or undergraduate units in counselling including HPY210 and HPY310
• Volunteer work with a community organisation
• Police check
• First Aid certificate and CPR

Possible Employers
Employers in this area are typically not-for-profit organisations, community-based agencies or local government. Examples include large not-for-profits such as St Vincent de Paul or smaller issue-specific groups. A wide variety of jobs can be found through the
Aged Care Jobs website as well as the Department of Human Services:

• Aged Care Jobs
• Department of Human Services