About the Role:

Play Matters Australia has an incredible opportunity for a Community Development Officer to join our team in Cairns.  The primary focus of the position is to build growth and retention in various programs.  This is a part time contract role starting 8 January 2024 for 28 hours per fortnight.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Identify opportunities for growth within the community sector within the region
• Apply community development strategies to support, sustain and grow community playgroups and programs
• Support volunteers within the region
• Continually evaluate the playgroup model and service delivery to ensure it is meeting the needs of the members and communities
• Promote programs through event and activity coordination
• Develop strong relationships with other organisations and stakeholders to collaborate and promote the activities of PMA

Essential Criteria:

• Qualifications and relevant experience in human services, community development and/or early childhood education or related fields
• Experience and/or knowledge supporting children and their families that have a child with a disability or developmental delays.
• Current C Class drivers licence

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working with First Nations families and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

About us: 

Play Matters Australia, a registered charity, collaborates with government, non-government, and community agencies to support families with young children. Our mission is to support children and families in building relationships, skills, and confidence through the power of play. We've been empowering parents and caregivers for nearly 50 years, offering programs that give children from birth to five the best start in life through play. We're dedicated to recognising parents and caregivers as a child's first teacher and provide government-funded, evidence-based early intervention programs nationwide. We are driven by our core values of collaboration, welcoming and inclusivity, accountability, contemporary practice, fun, and creativity.

Play Matters Australia is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Play Matters Australia acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate.  We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country. 

Diversity and inclusivity are important to Play Matters Australia and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this.  Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and physical ability. 

Play Matters Australia is Committed to Child Safety:

We have zero tolerance of child abuse. Our robust human resources, recruitment and vetting practices are strictly adhered to during the application and interviewing process. Applicants should be aware that we carry out working with children and reference checks to ensure that we are recruiting the right people.

What we offer:

• A flexible and fun work environment.
• A collaborative and supportive team.
• An opportunity to make a difference in the lives of everyday Australian families.
• Ongoing training, development, and mentoring opportunities.

How to Apply:

If you fit the criteria for this role, please send your resume and a cover letter to Paula Castle (pcastle@playmatters.org.au) outlining your suitability.   Applicants must be an Australian resident.