Employment Mentor Jobs

Who is WDEA Works?

WDEA Works is a not-for-profit organisation that has spent over 33 years dedicated to supporting those within our communities to find employment, training, and social connection opportunities.

WDEA Works Vision: Inclusive, thriving communities

Why Choose to Work with WDEA Works?

WDEA Works has been recognised as a Winner of The Australian Business Award for Employer of Choice in 2022. We promote a positive team culture, underpinned by the values of - respect, empathy integrity and innovation. We look for employees who have a genuine passion for those in need and can participate in our high-performing culture.

In Return For Your Valued Contribution, We Offer

• Me Days – 4 additional leave days per year
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Family-friendly organisational culture with true work-life balance
• Use of fleet cars - no need to use your own car or to pay tax on a company car
• Company-issued laptops and mobile phones
• Bonus leave over the Christmas holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Attractive salary packaging

WDEA Works Hamilton provides Disability Employment Services (DES), Workforce Australia’s Transition to Work, Employability Skills Training (EST), employment services, the NDIS service of School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), Training in First Aid and Early Childhood Education and Care as well as Social Enterprises and NDIS activities.

About the Role

This is a 12 Month Maternity Leave role. The role of an Employment Mentor (EM) is suited to someone who thrives off supporting and advocating for disadvantaged young people to achieve employment in the communities we live in, and with no two days being the same, the successful candidate will find this role both challenging and highly rewarding.

The EM's work environment is perfect for people who are people-centric and have proven success and knowledge in employment services, social work or youth work.

As an EM your role is to support, and guide disadvantaged young people through the Transition to Work program to develop practical skills needed to get a job in our community or connect with education or training. You will be provided with a comprehensive induction and training to help you in this role.

WDEA Works is community-focused not-for-profit organisation looking for multiple EM's in the following locations; Warrnambool, Colac, Hamilton and Portland. EM's will also be required to conduct servicing in outreach locations as required.

In An Average Week You Will

• Engage with and develop relationship with local businesses and organisations. Actively approach local employers to provide opportunities for participants growth and development.
• Develop Job Plans, arrange activities and training pathways for participants.
• Work toward achieving all placement and outcomes targets.
• Experience job satisfaction knowing your skills and knowledge have been utilised to mentor a young person to achieve their goals of employment.
• Provide post-placement support to employers and/or training providers and young people to ensure they thrive in the Transition to Work program.
• Work with young people to uncover their interests, passions, and capabilities. Help them build their confidence, advocate for them, and assist them to undertake additional training to become employment ready.

Desired Skills and Experience

Required

You will receive full training to help you gain all the knowledge and skills required to become an Employment Mentor, however, there are a few skills that great Employment Mentors possess

• They are resilient, things don’t always go to plan – when this happens, they can manage challenges and often see them as an opportunity to learn and grow.
• They have solid administration skills, computer literate and have a strong attention to detail.
• They’re innovative, think outside of the box and will engage with local employers, creating job opportunities which may not have otherwise existed that meet the needs of their participants.
• They are engaging and people-person, always first to advocate for and learn more about others and have a knack for making others feel comfortable in their presence.
• They have great customer service skills and have a motivating personality to inspire participants to see the benefits of employment and training for their future.
• They’re a team player. Yes, you’ve got your own targets, however, successful Employment Mentors look out for one another. They share ideas and understand that the end goal is to provide support for disadvantaged young people in our community to get a job.
• They are comfortable and confident in their ability to go out and meet with employers and training providers to advocate for young people.
• They understand performance framework – this role does have targets which are required to be met and hopefully exceeded.

In accordance with WDEA Works COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, this role requires staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19. As a condition of employment, successful candidates are required to provide acceptable evidence of their vaccination status.

The Feel-Good Parts

If you’ve read this far then you already know that WDEA Works is community-focused not-for-profit organisation, but what does that mean?

At WDEA Works, the profits the organisation generates go back into the communities we serve. We give back through the WDEA Works Foundation, donations and sponsorships, we genuinely believe in supporting our community. Since the beginning of the WDEA Works Foundation in 2004, we have given back over one million dollars to various groups.

WDEA Works is also a values-driven organisation, led by the following values:

Integrity - Our clients trust us. We owe them honesty and transparency. Every person who comes to WDEA Works deserves to be treated in a fair and objective way. We’re accountable for our actions and we follow through.

Respect - Each person we work with is worthy and should be seen in a unique context. Diversity shows us new ways to build on a person’s strength.

Empathy - Everyone experiences life differently. Relating to each other helps us understand someone else’s perspective so we can create solutions for individuals. We’re accountable for our actions and we follow through.

Innovation - How can we make someone’s life better? Using new ideas can solve challenges of all sizes and levels. A little innovation might have a big impact on a client.

WDEA Works supports an inclusive approach in the workplace, and we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people.

To obtain a Position Description, please click on the link on our careers page, or for more information, contact Tammie Hawke - Site Manager, on 0448 860 497.