Residential Youth Worker in Geelong

The purpose of the Residential Youth AOD Worker – Flexible Pool role is to work as part of a multidisciplinary team assisting vulnerable young people in need of support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a Residential Youth AOD Worker (Flexible pool staff), you will be required to work a 24-hour roster which includes day, evening and night shifts. This role is to be worked across all YSAS Residential sites (Fitzroy and Geelong withdrawal units and Birribi Rehabilitation Unit); it is not based at any particular site. The role requires application of clinical skills in the assessment and support of drug and/or alcohol withdrawal (including medication management) from substance use as well as a focus on primary health care for vulnerable young people.

Key Selection Criteria

• Experience and demonstrated understanding of working with young people with problematic alcohol and drug issues in a residential withdrawal setting and within the context of harm reduction.
• Experience in facilitating groups, and coordinating and participating in recreational activities with young people.
• Demonstrated understanding of care planning and review.
• Developed engagement and communication skills with young people from a range of backgrounds (including cultural awareness) and age groups.
• Maintaining a professional approach in all communication and engagement activities with service stakeholders.
• Ability to work across all YSAS Residential sites, often at short notice. Demonstrated understanding of the flexibility required to work shifts across multiple 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.

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 Lateef Adeleye, Program Manager Residential, on 0437541*** regarding Residential Youth Worker position, Recruitment Ref. Number – 054_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.