Vacancy Details

  • Based in Bannockburn, great location and an easy drive from Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne with free onsite parking
  • Permanent part time role (45:36 hrs per fortnight Mon, Wed and either Tue or Thurs)  

Golden Plains Shire Council provides a workplace where people matter, communities are connected, and the future is bright. We offer a diverse range of career pathways in meaningful roles with a sense of purpose where you can grow and thrive. 

To continue to deliver for our community, we are seeking a passionate and community-focused Youth Development Officer to join our dynamic Youth Team where you will engage, support and advocate for young people aged 12-25, delivering inclusive programs, events and initiatives that enhance mental health, wellbeing and social connection. 

This role will provide you the opportunity to:

  • Develop and deliver a range of inclusive youth events, activities, programs and projects that benefit the mental health and wellbeing of young people, including promoting social and community connection, pathways and skill development, advocacy and activism. 
  • Assess, develop and review youth services programs and events to meet the needs of the Golden Plains Shire community as part of an evidenced informed practice.
  • Promote and provide a positive, safe and engaging culture at various facilities across the Shire to ensure accessible and meaningful activities and opportunities are provided to all young people 
  • Collaboratively contribute to enhance the diversity and relevance of activities and events provided for young people, within a youth led practice.
  • Actively seek opportunities to improve the experience of young people and parents in events, activities and programs. 
  • Create an environment that promotes inclusion and demonstrates positive role modelling to young people and the broader community. 
  • Lead the delivery of a range of youth and community wellbeing events, activities and programs, both during normal working hours, evenings and weekends. Core deliverables include:
    • Delivery of a variety of youth and community focused programs to a diverse client base
    • Actively support Youth, Community Inclusion and Community Wellbeing projects 
    • Positively and proactively engage with young people and the general community to enhance the quality of their experience and overall wellbeing
    • Provision of exceptional customer service to support the delivery of Council’s Youth Development services.
    • Fluently leverage strategic social and digital media communication to engage with young people and stakeholders to build a continuous, safe and youth accessible presence in line with Youth Development Program branding.

Our ideal candidate will have:

  • A degree/diploma in Youth Work, Community Development, Education or a related discipline with relevant experience or a related discipline with relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing, facilitating and evaluating a wide range of programs and activities for young people.
  • Ability to establish and sustain positive rapport that motivates and empowers young people to actively participate in their community. 
  • Demonstrates a comprehensive and clear understanding of establishing and maintaining professional boundaries when working with young people to maintain safe and appropriate relationships.
  • Demonstrated experience implementing projects and achieving outcomes within budget and timeframes.
  • Highly developed written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, as well as strong online digital literacy.
  • Current valid Victorian Driver’s Licence and current Working with Children Check.
  • Availability required for: weekly after-hours work (7pm), school holiday programs, and occasional weekend work.

We care We thrive We grow

Our people are passionate, collaborative and deeply committed to both the community and the work they do. This commitment is felt from the moment you step through the doors, in every interaction and in the way we celebrate our collective achievements.

We care about our community and our people, provide flexibility and support so you can thrive and offer a diverse range of opportunities to support your personal and professional growth. We are dedicated to fostering this culture, because we know that our people are the key to the future growth and success of Golden Plains Shire.

With an Enterprise Agreement in place till 2028 we offer all employees:

  • Learning and development opportunities aligned to your role and aspirations, along with opportunities to work on a variety of projects and undertake secondments 
  • Flexible work arrangements to empower you to achieve better life/work balance
  • A modern, high-quality working environment with free onsite parking
  • An environment where health, safety and wellbeing are prioritised in all that we do
  • An active Social Club
  • Novated leases available to permanent full and part time staff 
  • Transfer of service and LSL (where applicable)
  • Generous leave entitlements including but not limited: 
    • Up to 16 weeks primary & up to 3 weeks secondary parental leave
    • Purchased leave
    • Ceremonial leave
    • Volunteer leave
    • Reproductive leave
    • Gender affirmation leave
    • Higher than NES Family violence leave

For further information about the role and the key selection criteria, please view the Position Description below or, for a confidential discussion, contact Helena Wilson, Team Leader Youth Development on 03 5220 7177.

We’d love to hear from you ASAP regarding this role!  To ensure we find the best candidates, applications for this role will be assessed as they are received, and the vacancy may close prior to any end date advertised.

APPLY NOW

Click on Apply to submit your application and following the prompts.  

Please address the key selection criteria (KSC) in your cover letter or use the KSC to guide your responses to the online questionnaire when submitting your application.

For further tips and tricks to help you shine during the recruitment process, visit our website.

We encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments or additional support you may require during the recruitment process, as well as how this role can be flexible for you. Please contact our People & Culture team at peopleandculture@gplains.vic.gov.au to discuss how we can best support you.

Applications close on SUNDAY 12 JULY 2026 at 11.59PM

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace that allows staff to bring their whole selves to all that they do.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing a safe workplace that embraces and values child safety, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the value and diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to the heritage of all Australians and our workplace.

We wholeheartedly believe that the decisions we make and the services we deliver benefit from having a workforce representative of the community we support - that the diversity of thought, experience, insights and background will ensure the needs of the broader community are considered in all we do. We encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.