About us headspace provides support to young people aged 12-25 experiencing mild to moderate or emerging mental health issues. The multidisciplinary team at headspace Wollongong work to improve health, social, vocational and educational outcomes for young people. Grand Pacific Health is the lead agency of headspace Wollongong. We are a not-for-profit, primary health care organisation providing locally-tailored, high quality physical and mental health services across NSW and the ACT. About the position The role of the headspace Work and Study Specialist is to implement the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Work and Study model. They will work with young people who experience barriers to employment and/or education to support them to achieve their vocational and/or education goals. This will involve assertive outreach work combined with excellent youth engagement skills to ensure young people are well supported and are linked to suitable employment opportunities.

The Work and Study Specialist will have extensive contact with employers, training providers, educational institutions, community service organisations and other health professionals.

Based at headspace Wollongong, the Work and Study Specialist will collaborate closely with the wider team and contribute to regular case review meetings to ensure integrated support. This is a full-time, fixed-term position until 30 June 2026, with the possibility for extension. Full-time positions have the opportunity to enjoy a Rostered Day Off each month.

We are looking for someone with:

• Qualifications and/or experience in employment services, vocational rehabilitation, youth work, career development or a related field.
• Passion and experience working closely with young people and an understanding of factors affecting young people across the region when accessing employment.
• Practical knowledge and understanding of issues experienced by people with mental ill health.
• Knowledge of the employment services sector, Centrelink and other state and federal employment initiatives that impact young people.

Why join GPH?

• Flexible work arrangements to find your best work life balance
• Continuous learning and development opportunities
• Increase your take home pay with salary packaging of up to $15,900 in living expenses and an additional benefit of up to $2,650 in meals and entertainment
• We make a positive difference to the lives of those we support!

Interested? Visit our website www.gph.org.au/employment to download Position Description and our Employee Benefits Information and click the 'apply' button to submit your application. Please ensure that your application addresses the selection criteria detailed in the position description and include this in your application or it may mean that your application does not progress to the next step in our recruitment process. For more information contact: Sammi Stiff, Work and Study Supervisor - [email protected] or 0458 176 226.
Applications close: 22nd July 2025

*Please note that short-listing of candidates will commence prior to the closure of this role, so please do not delay submitting your application. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from the LGBTQI community, young people from multicultural communities and people with a disability.