We are looking for a passionate Youth Support Team Leader to lead a small team. Our team of Youth Support Officers work directly with young people, helping them build resilience, identity, and connection.
What your role will involve
1. Program Delivery Leadership
- Lead and actively participate in the delivery of all program components, including residential camps, wilderness-based experiences, mentoring sessions, and community-based activities.
- Ensure all activities reflect trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate practice.
- Coordinate schedules, logistics, and task delegation across the team to ensure consistency and quality.
2. Team Supervision and Support
- Provide day-to-day supervision and hands-on support to Youth Support Officers.
- Monitor team dynamics, staff wellbeing, and professional conduct during live-in and mentoring components.
- Lead daily briefings, debriefs, and reflective sessions to ensure shared understanding and continual learning.
3. Participant Engagement and Safety
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with young people through role modelling, mentoring, and challenge-based engagement.
- Oversee the implementation of risk and safety plans, including supervision strategies and responses to behavioural escalation.
- Maintain an emotionally and physically safe environment throughout all program phases.
4. Collaboration and Coordination
- Work in close partnership with Intake and Support Officers and the First Nations Advisor to understand each young person’s needs, risks, and goals.
- Share insights and updates with the Program Manager and other staff to ensure continuity and coordinated care.
- Support integration of feedback, participant input, and cultural knowledge into program delivery.
5. Quality and Program Fidelity
- Ensure delivery is aligned with the Isurava Program model, including the Spirit of Kokoda and Positive Youth Development principles.
- Monitor consistency across program locations and phases, and escalate issues of concern to the Program Manager.
- Support evaluation processes through record-keeping, incident reporting, and contributing to participant outcome tracking.
Qualifications & Experience Required
- Minimum Diploma-level qualification in Youth Work, Community Services, Social Work, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff in youth programs, ideally within a residential, mentoring, or adventure-based setting.
- Training in trauma-informed practice, youth mental health, and remote or wilderness first aid (or willingness to obtain prior to commencement).
- Proven ability to engage at-risk young people and manage group dynamics in high-challenge environments.
- Strong interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to coordinate safe, consistent delivery.
- Current Driver’s Licence and Working with Children Check (or ability to obtain).Current Driver’s Licence and Working with Children Check (or ability to obtain).
- Availability to work flexible hours, including overnight residentials and weekends, as required by the program.
Desirable
- Certificate IV or higher in Outdoor Recreation, Experiential Learning, or equivalent.
- Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in culturally safe ways.
Why join us?
- Work in a values-driven organisation that has been empowering young Australians for over 20 years.
- Be part of a supportive, collaborative team where your contribution truly matters.
- Deliver meaningful work in diverse settings – from residential camps to community mentoring.
- Gain opportunities for professional development in youth work and outdoor education. Work directly with young people, helping them build resilience, identity, and connection.
Full time | Location: Arundel, Gold Coast, with some travel required.
SEND YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO OUR TEAM TO APPLY VIA EMAIL: isurava@kokodayouthfoundation.com
