Join our team - Career opportunities Streetwork

Thank you for your interest in working with Streetwork, where our people are at the heart of everything we do.

Job Posted - 17 July 2026

Streetwork is a for-purpose, community-based organisation focusing on prevention and early intervention strategies for at-risk youth. It aims to help 'at-risk’ young people aged between 12 - and 18 affected by crime, violence, destructive relationships, social isolation, homelessness, school disengagement, poor employment opportunities and substance misuse to turn their lives around. Streetwork recognises that the root causes of disadvantage and some behaviours are individually unique. Creating strong, trusting connections makes long-term improvement possible, as young people feel safe to drop their defences and embrace feedback and encouragement for their future. Building rapport with young people is the key to success. Strengthening this approach creates a young person's capability and opportunity to fulfil their potential, thus working to address social needs systematically.  Streetwork staff and volunteers always see youth as full of potential. 

About the Role

The Operations Manager (part-time) is responsible for keeping Streetwork running smoothly day to day, so frontline youth work services can happen safely, consistently, and effectively. You will lead and support a small team to deliver high-quality services and engagement activities to vulnerable young people while also strengthen organisational systems, including safeguarding, compliance, finance processes, risk, IT, and asset management, so staff can focus on delivering services to vulnerable young people.

Role Accountabilities include:

  • Keep Streetwork’s service delivery operations running reliably so programs deliver safely and consistently.

  • Lead your direct reports with clarity, calm support, and accountability.

  • Maintain strong governance, compliance, and safeguarding practices across the organisation.

  • Deliver Board strategic projects on time, or with clearly managed adjustments, with transparent reporting and risk management approach.

  • Improve systems and processes so the team spends less time stuck in administration and more time supporting young people in the community to turn their lives around.

  • Communicate clearly with staff, the CEO, and the Board, especially when priorities shift or risks emerge.

To be considered for this position, it is important that you have the following key requirements:

Sector Experience

  • Demonstrated experience leading operations in a for-purpose, youth, community service, or similar environment (essential).

  • At least 4 years’ experience supporting vulnerable young people with complex needs in a casework setting (essential).

  • Experience working with young people impacted by youth justice and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) (essential).

  • Strong project management capability, including coordinating stakeholders and reporting progress to governance groups (essential).

  • Experience working with a range of specialist youth support services and agencies and building strong partnerships.

Leadership Experience

  • Proven people leadership experience, including supervising and supporting staff performance and wellbeing (essential).

  • Strong knowledge of compliance, risk management, and systems discipline in a youth-facing environment.

  • A clear safeguarding and child-safe mindset, and experience implementing screening and safe practice processes (essential).

  • High digital literacy (Microsoft 365, spreadsheets, shared drives, CRM, case management tools) and financial literacy (essential).

  • Awareness of things young people connect with, like music, pop culture, graffiti art, current trends, etc.

  • Personal integrity, professionalism, and alignment with Streetwork’s values

  • A current full unrestricted driver’s licence (essential).

  • Successful completion of relevant national screening process - Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check (essential).

Personal

  • Passion for social impact and empathy for young people:  A strong commitment to Streetwork’s mission of supporting vulnerable young people in our community to turn their lives around.  Has an understanding and empathetic appreciation of the issues impacting high-risk, vulnerable young people. 

  • Positive attitude:  A positive, practical “give it a go” attitude, while keeping work engaging and youth-friendly, with an ability to think critically and find innovative solutions to roadblocks, both individually and as part of a group.

  • Collaborative and flexible:  Enjoys working as part of a small team - listens, learns, collaborates and, where relevant, compromises for the good of the organisation's overall goals. 

  • Integrity:  Do the right thing at all times for our young people and our team

  • Organised and accountable:  Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a part-time role, with strong attention to detail.  Plan and measure progress and performance against agreed targets and outcomes

  • Self-motivated:  A proactive, goal-oriented approach to work with the ability to work independently and as part of a small team. 

  • Emotional intelligence:  Self-aware and able to effectively manage emotions in self and others with an ability to motivate individuals and groups.  Confident in own abilities and compassionate and responsive to changing circumstances.

  • Relationship oriented:  Demonstrated ability to confidently build, manage, and grow mutually beneficial relationships with external stakeholders and partners.

Qualifications

  • Tertiary and other qualifications in a relevant discipline (Youth Work, Social Work, Community Services).

Highly Desirable

It’s a bonus if you have experience:

  • Supporting Board and subcommittee processes (eg Board papers, action registers, governance rhythms).

  • Leading organisation-wide systems improvements (e.g CRM implementation, finance workflow tools, WHS systems).

  • Working in a youth organisation with complex stakeholder environments (eg funders, partners, youth justice, education, health).

  • Additional qualifications in business, operations, project management, community services, or project management certification.

Commitment

Streetwork has a strong commitment to Child Protection, Professional and Ethical Conduct and Equal Employment Opportunities.

The successful applicant will be subject to a National Criminal Record Check and hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).

A detailed description of the position is available at www.streetwork.org.au. 

How to Apply