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Community Outreach Project Officer: City of Casey

•     Temporary opportunity available for 6 months
•     Part time 15.2 hours per week

Here’s your chance to make your mark in this new position at Casey!

In this rewarding position, you will develop and deliver effective projects that will influence connections between people and communities to reduce isolation and enhance respect, resilience and social cohesion throughout the municipality.
With your excellent interpersonal skills you will use effective methods of communication to strengthen relationships between individuals and communities from faith/culturally diverse backgrounds and the broader community.
You will have a tertiary qualification in Social Sciences, Community Development or a related discipline along with significant relevant experience.
Position Description
Title: Community Outreach Project Officer
Classification: Band 5
Department: Community Strengthening
Division: Community Development
Reports to: Team Leader Community Inclusion
Enquiries: Emma Wilkinson, Team Leader Community Inclusion, 9705 5200
Closing Date: 9 July 2015

1. Position Purpose

• Develop and deliver effective community development outreach projects which build connections between people and communities to reduce isolation and enhance respect, resilience and social cohesion in the City of Casey.
• Deliver community activities and information to promote the benefits of faith/cultural diversity to the broader community in a positive activity based environment.

2. Key Responsibility Areas
Community Strengthening

• Use effective methods of outreach to identify and engage with individuals and communities from faith/culturally diverse backgrounds who could be at risk of social isolation.
• Build the capacity of mainstream organisations, community groups and individuals in participating in community activities, and support their confidence in connecting and engaging with culturally and religiously diverse communities.
• Liaise with various Council departments and external organisations to assist in strengthening connections across the community with diverse cultural and faith communities at the local level.

Project Management

• Encourage the involvement of local faith, multicultural communities and places of worship in planning and delivering community activities to increase awareness and acceptance of cultural and religious diversity.
• Develop a range of positive promotional and communications materials to create a positive visual presence of cultural and religious diversity.
• Assist in providing the evidence base to evaluate the effectiveness of the outcomes of the projects.

General

• Work as part of a team to ensure the provision of an effective, efficient and responsive and customer oriented inclusive service.
• Through leadership and example promote Casey’s trademark behaviours: Show Respect, Take Responsibility, Listen and Respond, Be Positive, Think Things Through.

3. Occupational Health & Safety Responsibilities

• Make sure that any hazards, incidents (including near misses) and injuries are reported immediately to your supervisor.
• Cooperate in relation to activities taken by the organisation to comply with OH&S legislation.
• Participate in relevant consultation, meetings, training and other health and safety activities.
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace and working in the community.

4. Accountability and Extent of Authority
The employee may supervise resources and/or provide advice to or regulate clients and/or give support to more senior employees.
The freedom to act is governed by clear objectives and/or budgets, frequent prior consultation with more senior staff and a regular reporting mechanism to ensure adherence to plans.
The incumbent is responsible for managing correspondence in relation to the position and is accountable for the quality, effectiveness, cost and timeliness of the work under their control.  

5. Judgement and Decision Making  
The work may involve solving problems, using procedures and guidelines and the application of professional or technical knowledge, or knowledge acquired through relevant experience.
Problems are occasionally of a complex or technical nature with solutions not related to previously encountered situations and sensitivity, creativity and originality is required.
Guidance support and advice would be available within the time required to make a choice.  

6. Management Skills
The employee requires skills in managing time, setting priorities and planning and organising one's own work to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way possible within the resources available and within a set timetable.   7.

7. Interpersonal Skills
The position requires the ability to build trust and rapport with individuals and communities from culturally and religiously diverse backgrounds who may be at risk of isolation.
Well-developed communication skills for working with a diverse range of stakeholders and a demonstrated ability to deliver presentations and respond to a variety of audiences and public groups.
Possess a high level of cultural competency and consultation/advocacy skills including the ability to build and maintain respectful and effective internal and external relationships with individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultural and faith groups, service providers and community organisations.
The position requires the ability to be flexible, show initiative and innovation in assisting with the development and monitoring of the effectiveness of programs.
The incumbent will be expected to represent Council in a positive, professional and impartial manner, in addition to having the capacity to handle conflict and deal with sensitive matters.
Employees in this Band will be expected to write reports in their field of expertise and/or to prepare external correspondence.  

8. Specialists Skills and Knowledge
Skills will be required to build the capacity of individuals to effectively respond to the challenges faced by communities and work in collaboration to promote the benefits of cultural and religious diversity and reduce discrimination.
The incumbent must have highly developed skills in creating inclusive and safe environments and have the ability to communicate clearly, with tact, cultural and religious sensitivity and diplomacy.
The incumbent requires an understanding of the role and function of a Community Development specialist to whom they provide support, an understanding of the long term goals of the Community Strengthening department, and an appreciation of the goals of the wider organisation in creating a safe, socially cohesive and inclusive community as part of
Councils vision to be a city of choice to live work and raise a family.
Computer literacy including, but not limited to, word processing and spreadsheet production is required.  

9. Inherent  Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate clearly both face to face and by telephone.
• The role may involve periods where the incumbent is working in community facilities and settings.
• The incumbent must be able to travel to Council buildings and other community venues throughout the municipality, including areas where access to public transport is difficult or non-existent.

10. Qualifications and Experience

• A tertiary qualification in Social Sciences, Community Development or a related discipline and significant experience in a similar field.
• Extensive experience in using effective methods of assertive outreach to identify and engage with members of faith and multicultural communities who could be at risk of social isolation.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering effective community development and social media projects which enhance social cohesion and the inclusion of culturally and religiously diverse individuals and groups.
• Extensive experience in creating positive connections and attitudes between people who have different cultural or religious backgrounds to their own.
• Current Australian Driver’s Licence.

11. Key Selection Criteria

• Relevant qualifications and experience.
• In depth understanding and sensitivity to the needs of culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse communities in Casey.

12. Conditions of Employment

• Conditions of employment are as per the City of Casey Enterprise Agreement, Casey’s policies and procedures and the letter of offer.
• Hours - The position is part time worked 15.2 hours per week. This position will include rostered weekend and evening work.
• Tenure – This is a limited tenure role for six months. The position is not permanent and there is no guarantee of ongoing employment.
• Health Declaration - The preferred applicant is required to complete a Health Declaration form and return it to the Occupational Health and Safety Co-ordinator (Human Resources Department) prior to commencement.
• Criminal Records Check - This position is subject to the successful applicant having a satisfactory Police Check prior to commencement at Council’s expense and then as regularly as the position requires as per Council Policy.
• Driving Licence – The incumbent must hold a Current Driver's Licence which allows them to drive within Victoria.
• Transport – Employees are expected to use Council-owned vehicles whenever practical and reasonable to do so, for work-related travel. In the event that an employee uses a privately-owned vehicle for work-related travel, Council recommends that the vehicle be comprehensively insured and the insurance company notified that the vehicle is being used for work-related travel. If an employee using a privately owned, comprehensively insured vehicle for work-related travel is involved in an accident they may be eligible for reimbursement of the insurance excess. Vehicles not comprehensively insured will not be eligible for reimbursement.
• Recreation Leave - Annual leave must be taken at times that are mutually agreeable to both employee and employer, within 12 months of it falling due.
• Sick Leave - A medical certificate may be required for any absence and must be provided for sick leave exceeding three working days or absence on the working day before or after a rostered day off, annual leave or public holiday.
• Multiskilling - The employee may be directed to carry out any duties within the limit of their skills, competence and training, provided that such duties do not promote a narrowing of their skill base.
• Risk Management – Employees must understand and comply with risk management policy and procedures.
• Employment Status - Prior to commencement of duties the successful applicant must provide proof of permission to work in Australia.
• Probation Period - In accordance with Federal Government legislation, a six month Probation Period applies.

13. How to Apply

• Applicants must address the Key Selection Criteria.
• Applications to be addressed to Manager Human Resources, City of Casey.  Applications to be submitted through the Casey website at www.casey.vic.gov.au (preferred), or email to applications@casey.vic.gov.au in Word format; or by mail to P.O. Box 1000, Narre Warren, 3805.
• Applications are dealt with in the strictest confidence. Details contained in your application will not be conveyed to any person not directly connected with processing your application without your express permission.
• Following the nominated close date we allow up to three weeks to prepare a short-list of candidates for interview.  Short-listed candidates will be contacted by telephone. The remaining candidates will not be contacted. If you do not hear from us within three weeks unfortunately this will mean your application has been unsuccessful.