Download 20170502 Linker - Social Futures

Position Description
Linker – Ability Links
Branch/Program
Award
Reports to
Supervisory responsibilities
Duration
Probationary period
Hours
Based at
Position description created
Approved by
Review date
Ability Links – Inclusion
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award
(SCHADS) – Level 4
Program Manager – Ability Links
N/A
30 June 2018
6 months from date of appointment
48 hours per fortnight
Richmond Valley/Kyogle
May 2017
Executive Manager – People & Quality
April 2018
About Social Futures
Social Futures is a community, not-for-profit organisation that works to achieve social justice in regional
Australia by supporting collaboration, encouraging action and helping people to take control and live well.
We work with individuals and families, our communities and other services to create: positive change in
people’s lives; thriving communities where diversity is valued, people have capacity to support each other
and respond to issues that matter; and collaboration and evidence-based practice across agencies that
maximises our collective ability to create social change.
Purpose of the Position
Linkers are key to effective ALNSW program delivery as part of the NSW Government’s plan to reshape and
improve the way people with disability, their families and carers in NSW are supported by placing them at the
centre of decision making. Linkers will provide a locally based first point of contact, designed to improve
access and engagement in local community, mainstream services and disability services, where necessary.
Linkers will work with people with disability, their families and carers across the regions to help them plan for
the future, build on their strengths and skills and to develop networks in their own communities to do what
they want with their lives, outside the traditional disability service system.
Linkers also work with local communities to help them become more welcoming and inclusive of people with
disability. Ability Links differs from traditional case management with its emphasis on working alongside
people with a disability, rather than for them.
Linkers may be people who have extensive experience in community networking, organising and
enablement. They may be people who have extensive volunteering experience, or have experience in other
areas of human services including youth work, community development, community capacity building,
education, health, employment and other mainstream services.
Mandatory Requirements
☐ Current National Police Check
☐ Current NSW Working with Children Check
☐ Current NSW Drivers Licence
☐ Click here to enter text.
Essential Selection Criteria
Essential Selection Criteria
1.
Well-developed communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills, team work skills and the ability to
communicate sensitively and effectively with all people
2.
Well-developed emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation,
and social skills, and the capacity to maintain workplace wellbeing
3.
Extensive community networks in Far North Coast NSW
4.
Demonstrated flexibility, enthusiasm, creativity and problem solving capacities
5.
Experience in community development and community capacity building
6.
IT competency, including the use of Microsoft Office programs
7.
Well-developed understanding of social inclusion, the enabling factors and barriers to social inclusion
for people with disability, their families and carers
8.
Understanding of person centred practice and assets based community development
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Key Responsibilities
Focus Areas
Effective
communication







Apply person centred
approach to enhance
community
engagement
opportunities
Page 2 of 5



Provide accurate, relevant and timely information to individuals, families,
carers and communities
Engage with individuals, families and carers to identify their goals,
strengths and needs, and plan for the future
Assist individuals, families carers and communities to access information
through a variety of means
Actively support positive partnerships between individuals, families, carers,
local organisations and the broader community to build more inclusive,
welcoming and accessible communities
Participate in forums and information sharing activities as required
Actively promote the program and its innovative approach to social
inclusion
Practice intentional language, appreciative inquiry and curious questioning
coupled with highly effective listening skills
Work in a way which acknowledges hopes, fears and aspirations and
provides pathways to success
Facilitate an environment where a person can articulate their goals and
what they want and the strategies they can use to get there
Focus on effort and acknowledge all achievements, be they great or small
Social Futures Position Description © 2017
Key Responsibilities
Focus Areas








Flexibility, team work
skills, and creative
problem solving





Effective use of
administrative and IT
resources
Supervision and
professional
development and
professional
boundaries









Raise community awareness, focus on community priorities and shared
stories
Establish connections with community and build positive and effective
relationships and networks
Facilitate participation in a range of activities
Adopt a flexible, innovative approach to community engagement
Work collaboratively with individuals, agencies and the broader community
to enhance and establish long term networks of engagement
Develop a sound understanding of the key issues in the local area to
inform planning
Participate in community driven education and development projects
Build and maintain a current working knowledge of local community
activities, groups and events
Focus on innovation and creativity to achieve desired outcomes
Contribute to team activities and actively participate in internal meetings
and workshops
Work in a manner which strengthens peer support networks and shared
learning opportunities
Maintain flexible work hours to effectively meet community engagement
opportunities
Flexible, innovative and lateral thinking to overcome barriers and adapt to
change
Maintain administrative records as required
Provide data as requested for reporting or evaluation purposes
Compose correspondence, letters of support as required
Use IT resources to research engagement opportunities
Actively participate in individual supervision
Identify professional development opportunities
Continuously improve performance and practice
Participate in professional development and training as requested or
identified by your supervisor
Maintain professional boundaries and healthy work life separation
Competencies, Skills and Attributes
Technical
1.
Current National Police Check
2.
Current Working with Children Check
3.
Current valid Driver Licence
Experience and Knowledge
4.
Understanding of the community services sector and disability legislation, regulations and best
practice standards.
5.
Understanding of the risk factors involved with working with people disability with the capacity to
identify and manage risks.
6.
Previous experience working with and planning and setting goals for people with disability, their
families and carers.
Social Futures Position Description © 2017
Page 3 of 5
7.
Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to diversity issues and recognises own triggers, biases,
beliefs and does not allow them to interfere with job performance.
Attributes and Values
8.
Enthusiastic, dynamic, self-motivated, proactive and responsive
9.
Highly professional and articulate with excellent interpersonal skills
10.
High level attention to detail, committed to quality outcomes
11.
Capacity to manage multiple priorities and projects
12.
Engages in reflective practice with a view to improve performance
13.
Demonstrates behaviours that treat others with respect, care and compassion
14.
Promotes cohesive team work and a collaborative work environments
15.
Solution-focused approach to problems and ability to think outside the box
16.
Proven history of following up commitments with action, ability to shift priorities, and work to
deadlines
17.
Capacity to work in alignment with organisational values
18.
Positive, contemporary attitude towards people living with disability
Compliance
19.
Understands and complies with company Code of Conduct, policies and procedures.
20.
Willingness and desire to comply with workplace health and safety policy and procedure to ensure
safety of self and others.
21.
Follows guidelines, policies and procedures when committing financial resources or processing
financial transactions.
22.
Understanding of legislation, regulations and best practice standards relevant to sector and service
delivery requirements.
Inherent Requirements of the Work Activities/Environment
The following table identifies the physical and psychological work environment characteristics that are
inherent requirements of the role. Where possible we will make reasonable adjustments to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their roles.
Element
Key Activity
Work
Environment
Manage demanding and changing workloads and competing
priorities.
Work in a team environment.
Work in different geographic locations.
Be exposed to all outdoor weather conditions.
Work office hours with the possibility of extended hours.
Work in an open plan office.
Work in buildings which may have multiple stories.
Reasonably high levels of mobile phone use.
Page 4 of 5
Frequency
Daily
Daily
Occasional
Rare
Occasional
Daily
Daily
Daily
Social Futures Position Description © 2017
Element
People Contact
Administrative
Tasks
Transport
Key Activity
Frequency
Sit at a computer or in meetings for extended periods.
Liaise with our staff.
Liaise with government, non-government, businesses, and other
community organisations.
Liaise with participants/customers.
Undertake intensive administrative tasks, which include computer
work, report writing, participating in meetings and concentrating for
long periods of time.
Use technology including photocopier, telephones including
mobiles, fax, overhead projectors, televisions, videos and electronic
whiteboards.
Drive vehicles possibly over long distances and in all traffic and
weather conditions.
Use public transport including trains, buses, trams and taxis.
Daily
Daily
Social Futures Position Description © 2017
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Occasional
Rare
Page 5 of 5