Streetwise Youth Officer

As a Streetwise Youth Officer, you will work closely with other youth stakeholders under the guidance of the Youth Team Lead. This role focuses on supporting young people in Carnarvon through a flexible, two-faceted approach to youth engagement and service delivery.

A core component of the role involves outreach and engagement with street-present young people, particularly those at risk and spending time in the CBD and public spaces. You will work alongside the Community Connectors (Night Patrol) program to build positive relationships, support young people to reconnect with school or services, and, where appropriate, link them to safe places that promote wellbeing and development.

The role also supports youth program and activity delivery, including after-school programs, school holiday activities, and youth-focused events. You may be required to assist with broader community or Shire-led events where youth engagement is a key focus. Through consistent, positive engagement across both settings, you will help build trust, encourage participation, and promote opportunities for young people to feel safe, supported, and connected.

Key role outcomes:

• Demonstrate successful leadership through the application of the Shire's core values by promoting a work culture of sustainability, quality improvement, efficiency, and excellent customer service that corresponds to our Code of Conduct and Customer Service Charter.
• A commitment to a safe work environment and WHS legislation, policy, and processes.
• Ensure compliance with the Local Government Act (WA) 1995 and any relevant legislation.
• Continuous engagement with young people building effective relationships to ensure positive growth.
• Enhanced community safety, reflected through reduced youth-related incidents, loitering or antisocial behaviour in CBD hotspots.
• Increased safety and wellbeing of young people through de-escalation and linking them with the appropriate support.
• Strengthened youth engagement and positive use of time through flexible support for after-school, school holiday and youth-focused programs as required.
• Undertake other duties as directed.

Work, Health & Safety Responsibilities:

• To take reasonable care for their own safety and health and to avoid harming the safety and health of other people through any act or omission at Shire workplaces.
• Proactively comply with all Shire WHS Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines, Practice, duties and other relevant conditions.
• As far as reasonably possible comply with instructions given by their employer or an authorised person in the interests of safety and health and in accordance with the WHS Act.
• Must report to their manager, supervisor, WHS Representative, PC&S and/or other relevant contact person work related injuries, near misses and any hazards at the workplace that they cannot correct themselves.
• Must use, store and maintain personal protective equipment as properly instructed, and not damage or misuse any equipment or facilities provided in the interests of safety and health.
• Participate in and where possible provide leadership for a continuous improvement culture of safety where best practice initiatives are entrenched in daily business activities.

Skills and Experience Required:

• Highly developed ability to uphold a values-based approach in the workplace.
• Highly effective communication skills, including the ability to de-escalate situations.
• Sound ability to apply discretion and confidentiality consistently.
• Demonstrated experience working with young people, especially those at risk, disengaged or street-present.
• An understanding of youth development, trauma-informed practice and behaviour management strategies.
• Ability to build rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of local youth issues, social factors and community services relevant to the Carnarvon region.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in dynamic or high-pressure situations.
• Flexibility to work rostered hours according to operational requirements, including some weekend work.

Pre-employment screening required for this role:

• National Police Clearance - Less than 6 months old
• Pre-employment Medical Screening
• Alcohol and Other Drug screening

A copy of the position description can be obtained by following this link: RJED Streetwise Youth Officer.

For further information about the role please telephone People and Culture Services on (08) 9941 0000 or email hr@carnarvon.wa.gov.au.