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POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: / Coordinator Youth and Middle Years
POSITION NO: / 702300 / CLASSIFICATION: / Band 8
DIVISION: / Community Wellbeing
BRANCH: / Family, Youth and Children’s Services
UNIT: / Youth and Middle Years
REPORTS TO: / Manager Family, Youth & Children’s Services
POLICE CHECK REQUIRED: / Yes / WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK REQUIRED: / Yes / PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL REQUIRED: / No

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

  • To lead a multi-disciplinary team to plan, implement and manage the delivery of programs and services to meet the needs of young people (12-25 years) and people in middle years (8-12 years) and their families within the Municipality, consistent with Council policy and objectives, funding agreements and relevant legislation.
  • To take a lead role in strategically influencing Council units, other local service providers, community agencies and the broader community to improve the health, wellbeing and life opportunities of children and young people aged 8-25within the City ofYarra.
  • To oversee the delivery of cost effective and innovative services that address identified gaps and priority areas and to ensure that a targeted and diverse range of opportunities are available to young people in accordance with the vision, values and behaviour of Council.
  • Develop and support an integrated, innovative and person centred approach to planning and service provision for young people, people in middle years and their families.
  • Provide strategic and operational input into the overall management of the Family, Youth and Children’s Services Branch by providing leadership and supporting the development and maintenance of positive culture, innovation and flexibility.
  • Work collaboratively across the Community Wellbeing Division to ensure organisational goals are met and new initiatives implemented to support planning delivery and evaluation of Youth and Middle Yearsservices.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

Yarra City Council is committed to efficiently and effectively servicing the community to the highest standards, protecting, enhancing and developing the City’s physical and social environment and building the population and business base. A major imperative of the Organisation is the introduction of a best value framework with an emphasis on customer service and continuous improvement.

The City of Yarra has a long and highly respected history in the provision and support of Family, Youth and Children’s Services. Yarra is an inner city municipality with an extremely diverse and sometimes polarised community. Community expectations and needs in regard to planning for Family, Youth and Children’s Services are varied and often complex relating to, economic, social and political and community considerations.

The Youth & Middle Years Services Unit forms part of the Family, Youth & Children’s Services Branch, and the Community WellbeingDivision and contributes directly to the achievement of organisational goals. As a senior member of the Branch management team the incumbent is required to pursue Branch, Divisional and corporate goals in the planning and development of a family, youth and children’s service system for Yarra. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to provide leadership within the Branch and develop sound working relationships with a range of internal and external parties.

The Family, Youth and Children’s Services Branch consists of the following units:

  • Youth and Middle Years Services: Planning and provision of a range of supporting, developmental and skill based services for young people in line with Council’s Youth Policy 2013 – 2016 and the planning and development of effective and innovative solutions to meet the growing needs of young people in the middle years (8-12 years) as outlined in the Middle Years Strategy 2014 – 2017.
  • Children’s Services (Long Day Care, Kindergarten, Central Registration, Occasional Care, Out of School Hours Care, Pre School Advisor and Quality Liaison)
  • Family Services (Family Support, , Maternal and Child Health and Enhanced Maternal and Child Health, Playgroups)
  • Service Planning and Development (Strategic planning, service enhancement, quality assurance processes, professional development & training, Policy development and resources and support services across the municipality)

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Position reports to:Manager Family, Youth and Children’s Services

Position Supervises:Youth and Middle Years team, Communities that Care program, and Youth Development Officer.

Internal Relationships:The incumbent liaises with management and staff at all levels within the organisation.
On a daily basis the incumbent will work closely with the Co-ordinators’ responsible for Service Planning and Development, Children’s Services and Family Services.

External Relationship:The incumbent is required to negotiate and maintain a professional relationship with a range of Federal, State, Regional and Local Government agencies, private sector bodies, peak youth, children’s and families organisations, unions, external service providers, suppliers, residents and ratepayers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Program Management

  • Develop partnerships with the wider community and Government sector to promote and sponsor Youth and Middle Years Services within the City of Yarra.
  • Lead service redevelopment, review and advocacy, in partnership with Council’s service providers and external providers, to ensure access to responsive respectful and effective Youth and Middle Years Services.
  • Ensure effective and efficient service delivery with a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
  • Establish management systems to monitor the performance of programs and services and provide detailed information and advice to funding bodies as required under reporting requirements
  • Prepare, monitor and actively manage budgets to ensure effective use of Council resources and to ensure appropriate financial management and reporting.
  • Establish and maintain advisory and consultative structures providing advice and support as required.
  • Promote the work and role of Youth and Middle Years Services within Council across the sector and to the Yarra community.

Planning and Policy Development

  • Achieve Council and Branch objectives through successful project initiation and management.
  • Ensure appropriate opportunities for community engagement in planning processes.
  • Initiate and maximise Government and private sector funding opportunities for the development and provision of Youth and Middle Years services and projects.
  • Work collaboratively with and lead projects and development opportunities with Branch and Divisional Coordinators to progress enhanced service policy and planning outcomes.

People Management

  • Lead and support staff in effective and accountable service planning and delivery according to identified project and program objectives.
  • Ensure consistent and accurate interpretation and application of council’s Human Resource Management policies and practices.
  • Promote the maintenance of safe work environments and practices in line with Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
  • Coordinate staff recruitment, selection and induction processes for the unit.
  • Ensure accountability measures are in place, including performance planning, performance management and review processes.
  • Initiate and manage job and work redesign opportunities to ensure job satisfaction and high levels of service effectiveness, efficiency and competitiveness.
  • Facilitate a dynamic work environment, which encourages a team approach to tasks and responsibilities.
  • Supervise team members as required.

Safety & Risk

  • Role model a safety and risk management culture, minimise risk and support safe work practices through ensuring adherence to legislative requirements and Council policies and procedures.
  • Initiate or support the development and training of appropriate safe work practices for all new processes or equipment.
  • Conduct on-site safety and risk training and inductions.
  • Identify hazards, assess, report and investigate incidents, train staff and where practicable, resolve any matters which may impact on the safety of Council employees, community members, or Council assets and equipment.
  • Ensure consultation with staff on OH&S issues as early as practicable, and include Safety and Risk in all team meeting agendas.

Sustainability

  • Role model and assist all employees to embrace the following Sustaining Yarra principles in their day to day work:
  • Protecting the Future
  • Protecting the Environment
  • Economic Viability
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Social Equity
  • Cultural Vitality
  • Community Development
  • Integrated Approach

Yarra Values

  • Role model behaviour which exhibits the following values which underpin our efforts to build a service based culture based on positive relationships with colleagues and the community. Include conversations about living the values in performance development reviews.
  • Teamwork
  • Integrity
  • Respect
  • Accountability
  • Innovation

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY

Accountability

The Coordinator Youth and Middle Years is directly accountable to the Manager Family, Youth and Children’s Services for strategic planning, policy and program development, people and resource management, financial management, specialist advice and information provision to the Manager, Corporate Director, CEO and Council on all relevant matters.

Extent of Authority

The incumbent has the autonomy to act on all day to day matters relating to the projects and activities relating to the position objectives, including direction of staff, authorisation of expenditure within budget parameters and Council delegations framework. The incumbent is required to liaise with the Manager Family, Youth and Children’s Services on an ongoing basis and report on decisions that may have a major impact on outcomes and/or the overall functioning of the Family, Youth and Children’s Services Branch.

JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING

The position is required to make decisions ranging from those associated with day to day matters, to more complex issues regarding policy development and implementation which require a high degree of analysis and innovation. Matters of a particularly sensitive nature should be brought to the attention of the Manager Family, Youth and Children’s Services or other relevant staff.

SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Specialist Skills and Knowledge

  • Extensive and diverse experience and knowledge of issues, policies, practices and processes associated with managing, planning and delivering a range of Youth and Middle Years services.
  • Sound knowledge of relevant networks and funding sources and the ability to develop partnerships.
  • Ability to manage the community consultation, service planning and management activities associated with service review and evaluation.
  • Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, formulation and implementation.
  • Strategic and community planning skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop service standards, performance measures and systems for effective service management.
  • Ability to identify, initiate and recommend improvements to Youth and Middle Years services.

Management Skills

  • Ability to plan, prioritise and organise work, both on an individual and team basis, within a set timetable and in an environment of change and conflicting demands.
  • Well-developed business skills including the ability to lead and manage a business unit effectively and efficiently to address Council objectives.
  • Well-developed leadership, people management and motivational skills.
  • Ability to contribute to the strategic directions of the Branch as part of the Leadership Team.
  • Knowledge of and the ability to apply relevant budgeting methods and procedures.
  • Ability to manage change in an environment of resource constraint.
  • Ability to solve problems through discussion, negotiation and teamwork.
  • Ability to undertake complex investigatory and complex analytical tasks.
  • Ability to represent Council at public meetings on matters pertinent to Family, Youth and Children’s Services.

Interpersonal Skills

  • Highly developed written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to lead, motivate and support staff to achieve organisational objectives.
  • Ability to gain co-operation and assistance from a range of people within and external to the organisation.
  • Evidence of leadership and motivational abilities in a complex, fast changing, competitive environment.
  • Well-developed problem solving skills.
  • Skills in negotiation, consultation and networking.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

  • Tertiary qualifications in Youth Services, the Social Sciences or related areas are essential. Relevant post-graduate qualifications would be highly regarded.
  • Experience in managing services to support young people and their families with a focus on early intervention, prevention and community development is essential.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading and developing staff to delivery high quality community services.
  • An understanding of the Youth Service system and related pathways for clients.
  • Experience in developing and maintaining internal and external partnerships to progress Councils agenda in responding to the needs of young people, people in middle years and their families.
  • Experience in facility planning and management.
  • Extensive and diverse experience in the Human Services area with demonstrated achievements in policy development, service planning and development of service standards, performance measures and community consultation.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Tertiary qualifications in Youth Services, the Social Sciences or related areas are essential. Relevant post-graduate qualifications would be highly regarded.
  • Demonstrated experience in providing leadership, support and direction to a multi-disciplinary team to deliver high quality community services.
  • Demonstrated experience and expertise in planning and managing complex programs and services for young people within a Local Government and/or community based environment with a capacity to deliver high quality outcomes within agreed timelines.
  • Ability to integrate practice, policy and strategic context through use of innovative and contemporary methods relevant to middle years and young people.
  • Strong project management experience with the ability to plan, resource, review, deliver and report on projects and services on time and within budget.
  • Interpersonal skills to understand, navigate and communicate with internal and external stakeholders,develop relationships and negotiate to deliver positive community outcomes.
  • High level written and verbal communication skills with the capacity to represent Yarra City Council as required, including the ability to produce comprehensive reports for a variety of audiences.
  • Experience in working in a change environment and exhibiting strong motivational and leadership skills.

Coordinator Youth and Middle YearsSeptember 2015