Position Description
Position title:DIDP Mentor and academic support
Position number:Supernumery
Classification:AcA.2
Course:Defence Indigenous Development Program
Division:Further Education
Directorate:Enterprise and Employment Pathways
Location:Batchelor
Tenure:1 March 2016 to 9 December 2016
Supervisor:Lead Mentor
Positions Supervised:Nil
Special Features of Position:40 hours per week on rotating roster
Position Overview
The DIDP is a team effort by military staff, academic lecturers and mentors to help prepare students for enlistment into the ADF or to help students further their career in a Regional Force Surveillance Unit. The mentors predominantly take the lead in the following aspects of the course.
Life skills for work
Afternoon and weekend activities – largely these are refreshing sessions to make the pace of the course possible as well as increasing teamwork
Mentoring case work, guidance, advocacy, pastoral care
Assisting in preparation for ADF selection – resumes, job interviews
However mentors are expected to work as part of the team and assist other aspects of the course, for example academic work, or health and fitness goals.
The selected team will be a mix of male and female (our students tend to be more males than females).
The candidate will be willing and able to work on some weekends and a night shift on a rotating roster. Ie. Family circumstances must be such that the candidate can work at times during the day, during the afternoon/ evening, and on weekends.
Detailed Statement of Duties
1. Provide leadership, mentoring and a culturally supportive learning environment for Indigenous people throughout the pre- employment training program
2. Provide a high standard of advice and information to students on matters relating to preparation for employment and life skill development (including motivation, conflict resolution, advancement of skills and training, family and cultural issues).
3. Effectively manage conflict among students during the program and mediate any issues that arise between students
4. Provide support and mentoring to students (in conjunction with Defence Department) related to health, financial and family issues.
5. Assist with on-going Training needs of the Indigenous students (homework)
6. Design and deliver (in conjunction with the academic staff and Defence personnel ) 5 mentor led activity weekends
7. Design and deliver (in conjunction with the academic staff and Defence personnel ) life skill development educational sessions
8. Prepare reports and maintain appropriate student records and databases as required.
9. Attend and contribute to weekly team meetings with Defence and academic staff
10. Attend induction and mentor training workshops prior to engagement with the students and throughout the program as required
11. Transport students to and from appointments/activities and assist them at appointments/activities and ensure important information regarding appointments is passed on to ADF.
12. Plan and conduct afternoon recreational activities for students.
Essential selection criteria
1. Preference given for Indigenous Australians to enable them to fulfil the role of Indigenous Role Model, but otherwise evidence of understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and ability to work closely with indigenous Australians.
2. Qualifications and experience in Mentoring and particularly mentoring Indigenous Australians. (Certificate IV in Mentoring preferred)
3. First Aid qualified.
4. LR Licence and experience driving a 22 seater bus.
5. Demonstrate ability to be a positive role model, encourage others, provide advice and emotionally support students.
6. Experience keeping confidentiality and dealing with sensitive matter in a suitable and professional manner.
7. Teamwork – the ideal candidate will be working closely with a small team of mentors, lectures and ADF staff with the aim of helping students. The candidate need to be willing to and be open to fitting into that team and capable of communicating effectively with that team. The environment may sometimes be stressful and tiring. Evidence of recent teamwork such as reference letters or reports should accompany the application, and show a high level of ability to be a positive member of a team in sometimes difficult or stressful circumstances.
8. Experience with or knowledge of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), particularly NORFORCE and the Defence Force Recruiting process will be highly beneficial. Candidates would ideally be able to show knowledge of the ADF recruiting procedure and life in the ADF, as one of their main roles is to help prepare students for that recruiting procedure and life.
9. Demonstrated ability and experience acting as a tour guide/ tour leader is beneficial as at times the mentor will be performing a very similar role.
10. Demonstrate ability to plan and conduct activities, such as camping or recreation activities. To include the ability to communicate that plan, conduct a risk assessment and successfully supervise the conduct of activities.
11. Demonstrate ability to coach and deliver training to students in “life skills” such as money management, diet, health and fitness, developing aims, relaxation and coping with stress, resume writing, interview skills, responsible use of alcohol, personal administration and studying skills. Each mentor does not need to be able to train students in each area, but the mentor team when selected should be able to cover all these areas.
12. Demonstrate ability to help students with government agencies, family issues, personal administration, homesick, stress…
13. Experience in working in an Indigenous Employment Program.
14. Ability to communicate effectively, respectfully and sensitively with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
15. Well-developed understanding of Aboriginal culture, customs and working with this diverse group.
16. Ability to be a self-starter and work efficiently and accurately with limited supervision.
17. Qualifications and/or experience in community development, cultural or mentor training and program management (desirable).
18. Willingness to work a rotational roster including weekends, evenings and day shifts.
Desirable selection competencies:
1. Certificate IV in training and Assessing – in order of preference: full certificate, components of, willingness to obtain.
2. Bronze Medallion
3. Batchelor resident or someone living in vicinity, as the hours worked and the location of the work best suits someone close to Batchelor NT.
4. A knowledge of the Northern Territory, services and facilities available and possible recreation sites.
5. Working with children (Ochre) Card – as it may be beneficial regarding community engagement activities
NOTE: Copies of qualifications and evidence of experience MUST be submitted.