Community Connector

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

MacKillop Family Services is looking for a Community Connector to join the Family Preservation and Reunification program, delivering in home support and helping families access housing, education and employment while building strong local partnerships across the Bendigo region. The part time fixed term role (30.4 hours per week) is based in Midura VIC, reports to the FPRR Practice Leader, and focuses on community connections, partnerships, capacity building, family engagement, service integration and culturally safe practice with Aboriginal and diverse communities. To succeed, bring substantial relevant experience, a solid understanding of FPRR or family services, excellent time management and collaborative skills, and be ready to work independently when needed. For best results tailor your application to the full Key Selection Criteria, address the PD, and include a current VIC Driver’s Licence, satisfactory criminal history, Working with Children and NDIS checks; highlight tangible examples of building referrals and networks and show your commitment to cultural safety. Shortlisting may commence immediately, so applying early is advised.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Join MacKillop and be part of a purpose-driven team keeping families safely together. The Family Preservation and Reunification (FPR) Response is an innovative, evidence-informed program that delivers intensive, in-home support to families - helping prevent children from entering or re-entering care.

In this role, you’ll connect families with community, education, housing and employment opportunities, while building strong local partnerships that create lasting change. Working collaboratively with FPR practitioners and reporting to the Senior Practitioner, you’ll empower families to strengthen their independence, deepen community connections, and improve long-term outcomes.

This is your opportunity to do meaningful work, every day - supporting children and families to thrive.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Community Connections - Build pathways linking families to housing, education, employment, and local services
• Partnerships & Networking - Develop strong relationships with services, community groups, and FPR providers
• Capacity Building - Strengthen provider knowledge of local services and referral options
• Family Engagement - Support families to connect with community activities, groups, and opportunities
• Service Integration - Improve referral pathways and collaboration across services
• Cultural Safety - Deliver inclusive, culturally safe practice with Aboriginal and diverse communities

This is a Part Time (30.4 hours per week) Fixed Term until June 30, 2027 based in Midura VIC within our Family Preservation & Reunification Program. The position reports to the FPRR Practice Leader.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Significant work experience in a relevant field which supports an understanding of community development, key child development issues relating to young parents and their families who have complex needs.
• Well-developed understanding of the FPRR and/or family services and the needs of the families engaged in the program.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines, targets, and key deliverables of the program.
• Ability to participate collaboratively and constructively within teams of peers, staff and other stakeholders, as well as initiative and effective personal judgement when working alone.

For a full listing please view the Position Description.

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application. 

You must have a:

• Valid and current VIC Driver’s Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check;
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed / client facing roles)

We value the unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural contributions of First Nations peoples. Your experience and insights are important to us, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply. 

For more information, please contact: Linda Lynch at [email protected]

WHAT WE OFFER:

• SCHADS LEVEL 5 – ($51.00 – $53.31 per hour) based on experience & qualifications. 
• More money in your pocket – up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Wellbeing that matters - Free, confidential support for mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, evidence supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.
• First Nations career pathways - Warrungarli Strategy supporting recruitment, retention and professional development
• Community & connection - Opportunity to join Ngindaay Guumaldanha, our Aboriginal Staff Network

OUR COMMITTMENT:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.