Community Connector

South East CommunityLinks (SECL) imagines a world where everyone is valued and systems operatefairly. We challenge the status quo to create a society where contributions arerecognised and celebrated especially for migrants refugees people experiencinghomelessness women and young people. We take action to deliver better socialand economic outcomes for our diverse communities and co-create opportunitieswhere individuals can unleash their full potential.

Join anaward-winning team creating safer more inclusive public spaces and helpingcommunities thrive.

SECL is expanding ournationally recognised Community Connector Program a first of its kindassertive outreach initiative delivered in partnership with Metro TrainsMelbourne and other partners. After winning the 2025 Australian Crime andViolence Prevention Awards (Gold Award) for our impact in Dandenong andFrankston we are now growing our presence to Frankston North and other stations.

We are recruiting formultiple Community Connectors to join our dedicated team of frontlineoutreach practitioners.

The program deliverson-the-ground place-based support at train stations engaging individualsexperiencing homelessness mental health challenges substance use familyviolence or social isolation and meeting them in environments where they feelsafe respected and comfortable.

This award-winningprogram reduces harm prevents incidents and strengthens community. Since itsinception in late 2023 it has engaged more than 7100 community membersprevented 280 harm related incidents and referred over 300 people to services.

KeyResponsibilities

• Conduct assertive & proactive outreach in and around station precincts to individuals experiencing homelessness social isolation mental health challenges AOD issues or other vulnerabilities.
• Respond to dynamic and rapidly changing environments.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals who may be disconnected from services or experiencing systemic barriers. Perform risk assessments and develop short-term support plans including referrals to housing health legal and social services.
• Strengthen collaborative relationship with key stakeholders including Metro Trains Melbourne Victoria Police Protective Service Officers and other community service providers.
• Advocate for clients within service systems and support them to navigate complex pathways.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation including daily activity logs incident reports and case notes.
• Provide comprehensive monthly insights into program performance and location-based trends highlighting emerging patterns risk and opportunities to strengthen service delivery.
• Rotate as required across multiple sites to maintain strong community presence support localised needs and reinforce cohesive service delivery.
• Consistently comply with SECLs operational frameworks safety plans and practice guidelines to ensure safe ethical and high-quality service delivery.
• Participate in team meetings supervision and professional development.
• Promote SECLs values and contribute to a culturally safe and inclusive work environment.

Key skills requiredto undertake the role

• You are calm under pressure solution-focused and committed to social justice
• Tertiary qualifications in Drug and Alcohol Social Work Youth Work Community Services Mental Health or related field.
• Minimum 3 years experience in assertive outreach crisis intervention or frontline community work.
• Demonstrated experience working with marginalised populations including people experiencing homelessness mental health issues substance use and family violence with empathy professionalism and resilience.
• Strong knowledge of local challenges as well as service systems and referral pathways.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to trauma-informed person-centred and culturally responsive practice.
• Physically capable of navigating varied environments standing or walking for extended periods and responding to dynamic situations in real time
• Maintain clear and professional boundaries to ensure personal and client safety exercising sound judgement to avoid exposing self or others to risk in high-pressure or unpredictable situations.

What is in it foryou

• Work for a respected values driven community organisation.
• Contribute to a program that is driving real community impact.
• Contribute to a team that strongly believes in advocacy and social change.
• Paid parental leave
• Additional leave during Christmas and Easter
• Salary packaging benefits
• Have fun with a passionate workforce that is diverse and inclusive

If you are passionateabout early intervention community safety and supporting vulnerable peoplewith dignity wed love to hear from you.

For a confidentialdiscussion about the role please contact Desiree Kisnorbo Head of People andPartnership at or.

As part of ourcommitment to child safety and to supporting vulnerable individuals allsuccessful candidates will be required to complete Safety Screening checksprior to commencing employment. This includes a national police record checkand a valid Working with Children Check

SECL embracesdiversity and equal opportunity. We know that getting this right underpins ourorganisations values of inclusion equality compassion dignity and team represents a variety of backgrounds perspectives and skills whichreflect the multicultural communities where we work. We strive to be aplace-based service where people of all ethnicities feel welcomed to workvolunteer or seek help.