Deer Park Outdoors Program Assistant Team Leader

Division/Branch: Youthworks Outdoors

Location: Port Hacking, Royal National Park

Job Type: Permanent, Full time

Closing Date: As soon as the position is filled

Youthworks Outdoors leads the way in professional Christian Outdoor Education. Through the practice of temporary community, the passionate, enthusiastic, and highly skilled team use outdoor learning experiences to bring together bible-based discipleship and outdoor education in a unique and powerful way. The team is made up of a talented bunch of people who love Jesus, seek adventure in the outdoors and believe that not all lessons are best taught in the classroom. They are just as passionate about Christian ministry to young people as they are about adventurous experiences in God’s creation.

About the role

To aid the Deer Park Outdoors Program Team Leader with motivating and maintaining the spirit, vision and focus of the team. Assisting and supporting the Team Leader in all aspects of the Christian Outdoor Education environment, including but not limited to management of staff and program services such as safety, risk management and equipment maintenance.

Your responsibilities

Assistant Team Leading

• Support and assist the Team Leader in the day to day, including but not limited to addressing any staff or guest/participant questions and problems and finding solutions

• Support and assist the Team Leader in program delivery and team/task related meetings

• Support and assist the Team Leader in rostering, training, supervising, and performance monitoring of Youthworks Outdoors Program staff

• Provide clear direction to Youthworks Outdoors Program staff for day-to-day tasks required to run programs and maintain facilities

• Ensure policies, procedures, and risk management strategies are maintained and adhered to

• In consultation with the training team, plan and execute the training and development of team members

• Support, challenge and encourage the Youthworks Outdoors Program staff, depending on what the situation requires

• Provide feedback that is honest, open, and constructive

• Influence, inspire and support the Youthworks Outdoors Program staff through mentoring / coaching / instruction / leading by example

• Act as a resource for the Youthworks Outdoors Program staff

• Serve as a positive role model, guide, and supporter to the Youthworks Outdoors Program staff by modelling desirable behaviors

• Provide pastoral care and guidance to Youthworks Outdoors Program staff

• Promote a culture of continual improvement

Christian Ministry

• Develop and lead biblically sound and age-appropriate Christian talks

• Prepare, as required, appropriate materials and resources to facilitate biblically sound and age-appropriate talks

• Lead biblically sound and age-appropriate discussions, de-briefs, and teachable moments

• Provide for and allow for opportunities for biblically sound and age-appropriate salvation moments

• Contribute to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for participants

• Provide pastoral care and guidance to participants about values and ethical matters, within Youthworks guidelines

• Safeguard the integrity of the Gospel message as it is promoted and proclaimed on Youthworks Outdoors programs

Outdoor Education

• Lead and instruct a range of activities within the outdoor education program in a professional manner and with consideration to:

  • The aims and objectives and sequential nature of the program

  • Participants’ needs and physical capabilities

  • Resources available

  • The environment

• Prepare and deliver activity briefs, de-briefs, and teaching sessions

• Assist in the day to day running of Youthworks’ outdoor education programs

• Follow the safety and procedural protocols contained in Youthworks’ documentation

• Assist with the maintenance of outdoor equipment and facilities, and ongoing quality improvement of the outdoor education program, in conjunction with the team.

• Monitor and minimize risk through the implementation of Youthworks’ risk management procedures

• Comply with relevant legislative requirements, and codes of conduct established by regulatory authorities, systems and Youthworks.

• Conduct evening activities, overnight expeditions and weekend activities as required.

Additional Responsibilities

• Interact with participants / guests in a friendly and courteous manner and communicate accurate and consistent information as it relates to Youthworks’ policies and procedures.

• Maintain an overview of guest feedback and in conjunction with relevant staff implement strategies to increase guest satisfaction

• Provide input and feedback on Youthworks Outdoors program curriculum and system improvement measures that ensure excellence in service to participants

• Ensure that any irregularities in operations and systems are reported to relevant stakeholders as soon as possible

• Undertake other duties related to the role as directed by the Team Leader or the Head of Youthworks Outdoors

Employee responsibilities

·   Attend Youthworks conferences, events, and training

·   Adhere to Youthworks policies and procedures

·   Propose and undertake appropriate professional development

·   Keep abreast of industry knowledge, initiatives, and changes for continuous improvement in service delivery

·   Perform additional duties within skill set as required from time to time

·   Comply with Youthworks standards as well as industry regulations and safety standards

·   Contribute to the improvement of the policies and procedures

·   Ensure all relevant reporting occurs promptly, is enacted as needed and filed accordingly

·   Model Christian behavior in all aspects of the role

·   Work autonomously and effectively in a ministry environment where it is important that time is used efficiently, honestly, and resourcefully

·   Be an active team member participating in team meetings and devotions, and be an active member of the Youthworks community

·   Demonstrate continual commitment to Youthworks’ Mission

·   Work consistently with the values and ethos of Youthworks as a Christian employer

You will need to demonstrate

Essential

• Personal Christian faith and willingness to work within an Anglican organization

• An ability to apply Christian faith and principles in all areas of work responsibilities

• Experience exhibiting a personal and growing relationship with God

• An ability to develop positive relationships with young people

• Strong Bible knowledge and its application to young people

• Ability to infuse the Christian ethos into teaching practice

• Experience in preparing, presenting, and facilitating biblically sound talks and studies

• Experience working with children, teenagers, and diverse groups

• Commitment to work with Youthworks mission

• Verified and Cleared NSW Working With Children Check number for paid employment

• Current church-based safe ministry / safe church training programs endorsed by the National Council of Churches in Australia Safe Church Program

• Qualifications in Outdoor Education (Certificate IV level or higher). Specific activity qualifications in areas such as bushwalking, canoeing and roping.

• Qualifications (current) in First Aid and Water Rescue

• Qualifications (current) in Remote or Wilderness First Aid

• Qualifications in Theology or currently studying theology

• Current experience in leading best practice outdoor programs (at least 2.5years)

• Demonstrated experience in staff management

• A thorough understanding of, and rigorous approach to, risk assessment and management

• Commitment to personal ongoing learning

• Flexible, collaborative, proactive and innovative

• Demonstrated leadership ability

• Demonstrated resilience, strength and initiative needed to thrive in a leadership role

• Experience in a mentoring capacity

• Excellent personal presentation

• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask and to be flexible to reflect changes in priority 

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office applications

• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills with a focus on providing strong customer service  

• A systematic and focused approach to tasks with a strong attention to detail

• An ability to work with a wide range of staff to achieve effective outcomes

• A strong work ethos

What we would really like you to have

Desirable

• Medium Rigid License

• Mental Health First Aid certification

How to apply

Obtain the Position Description.

Submit in writing a cover letter and resume by clicking 'Apply Now' below.

Youthworks is committed to participating in the NSW Working with Children Checkprogram, and successful applicants must have a valid Working with Children Check ID number for paid employment before an offer of employment can be made. Persons who are ineligible need not apply.

General enquiries can be directed to Human Resources humanresources@youthworks.net. Please note, applications will not be accepted via this email address.

Only candidates with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position.

If your skills are a fit, you will be contacted by a member of our recruitment/HR team.

To note applications cannot be processed until a completed application form is submitted.