Community Connector

The Role

An exciting opportunity exists for a motivated and experienced community services worker to join the Open Support team in a permanent part time capacity 1 day a week working in South Western Sydney. As a Community Connector within Community Connections program, you will provide social support and companionship to clients, with a focus on building social confidence and capacity for ongoing independent connection.

This will involve undertaking a range of face to face and virtual activities with clients such as one-to-one visits and outings, facilitating small group activities and accompanying clients to social events, until they are ready and able to participate independently. The Community Connector will work in collaboration with the client and other community resources and agencies to identify and enable access to suitable social opportunities that are in line with the client’s needs, capabilities and interests.

As the successful applicant, you will demonstrate your high-level interpersonal communication and active listening skills with clients who have diverse capabilities and backgrounds and be proactive in providing opportunities for connection. Your relationship building skills will ensure positive relationships with clients, colleagues and other service providers.  The role will also require you to be confident in facilitating small groups with vulnerable people.

Essential Criteria

• Qualifications in Social Work, Human Services (Welfare), Mental Health, Community Development or related discipline and/or equivalent professional experience

• Current NSW Drivers Licence & insured car

• Either current Children Check and NSW Police Check clearance or willingness to obtain

• Current First Aid Certificate and Mental Health First Aid Certificate or willingness to work toward same

• At least 2 years experience in working within a community service, aged care, mental health or disability services setting.

• An understanding of the impact of social isolation and loneliness on individuals and on the community more broadly.

• Ability to apply high level interpersonal communication and active listening skills with clients who have diverse capabilities and backgrounds.

• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with clients, their families and carers in an attentive, sensitive and non-judgemental way using the principles of unconditional positive regard and client centred practice.

• Experience in working with vulnerable people in a community setting and the ability to identify and manage risk to ensure the safety of self and others.

• The ability to organise and facilitate small group activities with clients.

• A demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and work independently and professionally within delegated responsibilities and with limited supervision

• Sound written communication skills, including the ability to maintain client case files both in written and electronic formats and proficiency in using technology including email, internet, Microsoft Office and online training applications.

• Experiencing in managing and de-escalating difficult situations

• The ability to manage service obligations including confidentiality, duty of care, mandatory reports, WHS, other relevant legislation and professional conduct standards.

Why work at St Vincent’s? 

• Join us on our mission to provide care to all, including the most at-risk people in our community 

• Discounted access to many gyms for you and your family with Fitness Passport 

• Access to discounted private health insurance with Medibank 

• Access to a government salary sacrifice program.  Make a proportion of your salary tax-free 

• Committed to financial support for educational development, scholarship programs, paid study leave