Youth Worker - Youth Participation

Job title: Youth Worker - Youth Participation

Job Summary

• Youth Support + Advocacy Service

Applications close: 2:00 AM EDT, 8th Oct 2026

Job posted on: 24th Sep 2026

Melbourne

Part Time, Contract

Mental Health and Counselling, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Youth

Not For Profit (NFP)

Job description

• Fixed Term
• Part-Time (38 hours per fortnight)
• Remuneration SCHCADS level 4 dependent on qualifications and experience + superannuation
• 5 Weeks Annual Leave
• Up to $15,900 for living expenses + up to $2,600 towards meals and entertainment can be tax-free through NFP Salary Packaging

About us

Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS) is one of Australia’s largest and most comprehensive, youth specific community service organisation that enables young people experiencing serious disadvantage to access the resources and support they require to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

YSAS is a Child Safe organisation. We actively promote the safety and wellbeing of young people, and are committed to protecting young people from harm or abuse who come into contact with and/or access our service.

At YSAS we are committed to people of a diversity of backgrounds and identities being included, represented, and having the opportunity to participate equally in the life of our organisation and the communities in which we provide our services. We strive to create the conditions where people feel safe, enfranchised and valued. We value lived-living experience wisdom, insight, and knowledge.

About the position

The Youth Partnership Officer role supports YSAS approach to youth participation, partnership and leadership. The purpose of the role is to:

• co-create and embed YSAS approach to youth partnership and leadership into practice.
• co-create and implement a program of knowledge building to strengthen staff understanding of Youth Participation at YSAS leading to establishment of systematic and inclusive program-based participation opportunities.
• strengthen organisational awareness of, support for and creation of pathways for youth participation in partnership and leadership opportunities.

Key selection Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of, passion for, working in partnership with young people experiencing challenges relating to alcohol and other drug use and mental health
• Highly developed ability to engage, lead, inspire and be inspired by young people from a range of backgrounds and identities
• Ability to work independently and co-operatively in a multi-faceted state-wide organisation that works towards a shared purpose, and contributes to a respectful and supportive team environment
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills to meaningfully connect with young people and staff of various positions
• Experience in supporting the application of organisational policy and guidelines to strengthen youth participation and staff practice.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to work with flexibility to support initiatives (like annual Ideas Days) that might occur outside regular working times and at YSAS sites

What our young people request from our workers

Young people across YSAS have spoken out and given feedback about the qualities that best describe a good YSAS worker:

• “A good worker takes the time to understand your interests and doesn’t treat everyone the same.”
• “Young people believe that a good YSAS worker is empathetic and good at actively listening in a non-judgmental way, is relatable, down-to-earth and able to build trust and rapport in a consistent manner”.
• “It takes time to trust someone, but it’s worth it when you know they’ve got your back”.
• Young people have also raised that genuine human connection is an important quality, “being authentically human”, while having a holistic, flexible, and adaptable approach that considers the entire context of a young person’s life and their intersectionalities.
• “It’s about making sure workers don’t just tick boxes but genuinely want to see us thrive”

Regardless of where they are based or what position a worker has, everything we do at YSAS is about young people and their families.

For full details of the position and more about YSAS benefits please visit our employment website ysas.org.au/employment.

Why work with us?

• YSAS has a true commitment to flexible working, ensuring that individual, team and client needs are met
• YSAS offers additional leave entitlements such as gender affirmation, ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, fertility leave, blood donors leave, a generous Parental Leave Scheme and the ability to purchase additional leave.
• Access to learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Please Note

• As part of our Employment screening process you will be required to undertake a National Criminal History check and have a current Working with Children Check.
• You must have Australian work rights to apply for this position.

Further Enquiries

For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact Lucy Ruchel, Youth Participation and Privacy Manager, on regarding the Youth Worker (Youth Participation), Recruitment Ref. Number – 068_2026.

• YSAS is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
• YSAS has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation.

A position description is attached.

Supporting Materials

• Attachment iconYouth Participation Officer PD Final.pdf

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