Title:First Time Parent Group Facilitator

Classification:Band 5

Department:Child Youth and Families

Division:Community Life

Reports to:MCH Team Leader Allied Programs

Enquiries:Catherine Mackinnon, MCH Team Leader Allied Programs, 9705 5200

  1. Position Purpose

»Facilitate first time parent support groups for families enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health Service

»Link parents with appropriate community support networks, liaise with agencies as appropriate and promote sharing of resources, general co-operation and networking.

  1. Key Responsibility Areas

»Using community development principles encourage the continuation of support groups on completion of the program including linking with playgroups operating within the vicinity.

»Actively identify opportunities to conduct new parent support groups for specific client groups such as culturally and linguistically diverse parents or people with disabilities.

»Ensure project objectives are met by anticipating and managing potential and emerging issues.

»Support the implementation of community building activities to foster a sense of community belonging and participating amongst new parents.

»Influence events, promote ideas and keep abreast of current research, thinking and products.

»Through leadership and example promote Casey’s trademark behaviours: show respect, take responsibility, listen and respond, be positive, think things through.

  1. Occupational Health & Safety Responsibilities

»Take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others in the workplace.

»Ensure hazards, incidents, near misses and injuries are reported immediately.

»Support activities taken by the organisation to comply with OH&S legislation.

»Ensure only authorised, adequately trained staff undertake assigned tasks.

  1. Accountability and Extent of Authority

»Supervise resources, other employees and/or provide advice to or regulate clients; and/or give support to more senior employees.

»If prime responsibility is resource supervision freedom to act is governed by clear objectives and/or budgets, frequentprior consultation with more senior staff and a regular reporting mechanism to ensure adherence to plans.

»If prime responsibility is to provide specialist information to clients or to regulate clients, freedom to act is subject to close supervision or to clear guidelines. Effect of decisions and actions taken on individual clients may be significant but the decisions and actions are always subject to appeal or review by more senior employees.

»If prime responsibility is to provide direct support and assistance to more senior employees, freedom to act is not limited simply by standards and procedures and the quality of decisions and actions taken will often have an impact upon the performance of the employees being supported.

  1. Judgement and Decision Making

»Objectives of the work are usually well defined but the particular method, technology process or equipment to be used must be selected from a range of available alternatives.

»The work may involve problem-solving, using procedures and guidelines and applying professional or technical knowledge, or knowledge acquired through experience.

»Problems are occasionally of a complex or technical nature with solutions not related to previously encountered situations. The employee must analyse issues from different perspectives, draw conclusions from the information available and Identify and propose practical solutions to problems.

»Guidance and advice would usually be available within the time required to make a choice.

  1. Management Skills

»Skills in managing time, setting priorities and planning and organising work to achieve objectives in the most efficient way possible, within the resources available and within a set timetable.

»Ability to adapt behaviour to new situations, be resilient and maintain stable performance when under pressure or opposition.

»Where supervision is part of the job, understand and be able to implement personnel practices including those related to equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety and training and development.

  1. Interpersonal Skills

»Gain co-operation and assistance from clients, the public and other employees and, where appropriate, supervise other employees.

»Establish and maintain relationships with people at all levels, listen to others, confirm understanding and recognise the importance of seeing things from others’ point of view.

»Ability to write reports and/or prepare external correspondence.

  1. Specialist Skills and Knowledge

»Supervisors require understanding of the relevant technology, procedures and processes used within their operating unit.

»Specialists and employees involved in interpreting regulations require understanding of the underlying principles involved as distinct from the practices.

»Support employees require understanding of the role and function of the senior employees to whom they provide support, understanding of the long term goals of the unit in which they work, and appreciation of the goals of the wider organisation.

»All employees in this Band require:

  • Understanding of the function of their position within its organisational context, including relevant policies, regulations and precedents.
  • Ability to use the advanced features of the available digital tools relevant to the role.
  1. Inherent Physical Requirements

»In order to perform the required duties, the incumbent must successfully complete a pre-employment functional assessment.

»Use a computer

»Drive a vehicle

»Prepare for and participate in activities with babies and children.

»Moving light furniture and sitting/kneeling on the floor for up to an hour at a time and being able to rise without difficulty.

»Lift and assemble display boards and other promotional material at events.

  1. Qualifications and Experience

»Completion of secondary education plus:

  • a degree or diploma with little relevant work experience; or
  • lesser qualifications with relevant work skills; or
  • relevant experience and work skills commensurate with the requirements of the position.

»Driver’s Licence which is valid to drive within Victoria.

  1. Conditions of Employment

»Conditions of employment are as per the City of Casey Enterprise Agreement, Casey’s policies and procedures and the letter of offer.

»Hours – The position is part time worked 30 hours per week.

»Health Declaration - The preferred applicant is required to complete a Health Declaration form and return it to the Occupational Health and Safety Co-ordinator prior to commencement.

»Criminal Records Check - This position is subject to the successful applicant having a satisfactory Police Check prior to commencement at Council’s expense and then as regularly as the position requires as per Council Policy.

»Working with Children Check – This position is subject to the successful applicant having a satisfactory Working with Children Check prior to commencement, and then as regularly as per legislative requirements.

»Transport – Employees must use Council vehicles for work-related travel whenever practical to do so. If employees use privately-owned vehicles for work-related travel Council recommends the vehicle be comprehensively insured and the insurance company notified that the vehicle is being used for work-related travel. If an employee using a privately owned, comprehensively insured vehicle for work-related travel is involved in an accident they may be eligible for reimbursement of the insurance excess. Vehicles not comprehensively insured will not be eligible for reimbursement.

»Sick Leave - A medical certificate may be required for any absence and must be provided for sick leave exceeding three working days or absence on the working day before or after a rostered day off, annual leave or public holiday.

»Multiskilling - Employees may be directed to carry out any duties consistent with theirskills, competence and training provided the duties do not result in de-skilling them.

»Risk Management – Employees must comply with risk management policy and procedures.

»Employment Status - The successful applicant must provide proof of permission to work in Australiaprior to commencement.

»Probation Period - A six month Probation Period applies to this position. This period will be extended in line with any period of unpaid or unauthorised leave.

  1. How to Apply

»Applications to be submitted through the Casey website at (preferred), or email to in Word format.

»Applications are dealt with in the strictest confidence. Details contained in your application will not be conveyed to any person not directly connected with processing your application without your express permission.

»Following the nominated close date, short-listed candidates will be contacted by telephone. The remaining candidates will be notified via email if their application has been unsuccessful.