About Orygen

Orygen is Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and the largest translational research organisation dedicated to youth mental health in the world.

For over 30 years, Orygen has led groundbreaking early intervention and developed evidence-based models of care to improve the mental health outcomes of young people aged 12-25.

About the job

The Youth Peer Worker is responsible for the delivery of peer support to young people on Orygen Digital’s Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platforms. Youth Peer Workers are committed, passionate young people who have personal and lived experience of mental health challenges and/or mental health service use.

Reporting to the National Peer Work Manager, you will:

• Draw on your expertise and lived experience to welcome young people to MOST, and guide them through mental health challenges through one-on-one peer support and promote self-care practices.
• Promote your lived experience in a professional capacity to improve the MOST platform, develop authentic content for the social network.
• Provide basic tech support for young people joining MOST and contribute to UX aspects of the platform.
• Collaborate with clinical staff and youth engagement staff to ensure the safety and engagement of MOST clients, following safety protocols and ensuring confidentiality. Demonstrate basic risk assessment, distress tolerance and escalation skills, and ability to refer to emergency services and external services when required.

Note: this role requires the applicant to be within a specific age range for the duration of their employment within this role. This role falls under the special measures category in the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 to promote substantive equality for a group of people who have one (or more) protected attributes such as age. Orygen aims to address equality for young people who have faced or are facing mental ill health challenges.

Skills and experience

The following criteria must be met for consideration for this position:

• Aged between 18 and 30 years for the duration of your employment and have personal experience of challenges and recovery in mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug use, work and/or study required. Previous experience using your lived experience in a professional capacity is desirable.
• Personal experience of a period of recovery and receiving treatment/navigating health systems and support services within WA.
• High standard of computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook, demonstrated digital skills and use of online platforms and social media supporting young people or health promotion. Interest in innovation and digital tools for youth mental health.
• Ability to work effectively independently, demonstrating excellent time management skills, and with other young people and staff, problem-solving in collaboration.

Benefits

• Salary between $66,018 - $72,045 pro rata per annum commensurate with experience + 11.5% super + access to $15,00 NFP salary packaging + $2,600 meals and entertainment card.
• Enjoy a collaborative, inclusive environment that integrates research and clinical care
• Ability to purchase additional leave; access EAP; generous Parental Leave Scheme
• Support Orygen’s mission for youth mental health and contribute to positive social change.
• Make a real impact on young people in a dynamic, youth-centred environment.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to make a difference in youth mental health and be part of a collaborative, innovative team, apply now.
For the full position description, click here. 

This is a part time (0.6 – 0.8 FTE), ongoing contract.

Applications will close at 9am on the closing date, unless a suitable candidate is found sooner.

Before applying at Orygen, it’s important to understand that you may encounter sensitive information related to mental health as part of your work. Being aware of this and how it could affect you is essential in deciding if this is the right opportunity for you.
Orygen is committed to providing diverse, equitable and inclusive environments for Staff and anyone connected to Orygen. We strive to continue building a culturally safe workplace where our values underpin the way we work and our commitment to First Nations people of Australia, young people and their families, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ people and CALD communities. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people.
Orygen is a child-safe organisation and is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and well-being of all young people and embedding safeguarding practices into all our programs and services. All employment appointments are subject to holding a valid working with children check and successful police check.