Engagement Specialist – Employment Services (All Melbourne VIC)

Build Real Careers & Make a Tangible Difference – Join Our Employment Team

About Ability Works

Ability Works Australia is a leading social enterprise creating tailored employment pathways for people with disability and individuals experiencing barriers to employment. We provide training and support for both social enterprise and mainstream employment opportunities, so that individuals can feel purpose, pride and belonging through employment.

We partner with individuals to uncover their unique strengths and capabilities, then work directly with employers to create tailored roles that lead to sustainable, fulfilling employment. We’re breaking down barriers in recruitment and building inclusive workplaces where everyone can contribute and succeed.

About The Role

The Engagement Specialist supports people with disability to achieve sustainable, meaningful and inclusive employment outcomes through Inclusive Employment Australia and NDIS-funded Customised Employment services.

This is a person-centred and strengths-based role focused on understanding each client’s interests, skills, experience, aspirations and support needs. The Engagement Specialist uses this information to develop tailored employment pathways, build relationships with employers and industry, negotiate suitable roles and provide ongoing support to help clients succeed in employment.

Customised Employment focuses on creating individualised, community-based employment opportunities that align the strengths and interests of the client with the needs of an employer. This may include customised job design, representation and negotiation support, workplace assistance and support for self-employment where appropriate.

The role involves working with clients across various locations and collaborating with employers, families, support networks, IEA and NDIS providers, government agencies and other stakeholders.

Our Employment Services team work across multiple regions including Bayside, Calder, Maroondah, Monash, Peninsula, Plenty, Yarra and Westgate.

The Engagement Specialist will be required to attend client relevant AWA Hub sites in a variety of regions in addition to the AWA offices in Kew.

Key responsibilities in your role may include:

Client engagement and discovery

• Build respectful, trusting and professional relationships with clients and their support networks.
• Undertake person-centred discovery to understand each client’s interests, strengths, skills, experience, aspirations, preferred work environments and support requirements.
• Identify barriers and opportunities relating to employment, including transport, communication, workplace adjustments and social or environmental factors.
• Support clients to define their employment goals and make informed choices about their preferred employment pathway.
• Develop and regularly review individual employment plans and action plans.
• Promote client choice, control, self-determination, dignity and independence.

Employment development and job matching

• Identify and develop suitable employment opportunities aligned with the client’s strengths, interests and employment goals.
• Conduct labour-market research and build an understanding of local industry and employer requirements.
• Engage with employers to understand their workforce needs, workplace culture, operational requirements and potential opportunities.
• Use customised employment principles to identify or negotiate individualised job duties and roles.
• Support clients with job preparation, applications, interviews, work trials and employment commencement.
• Provide representation and negotiation support to facilitate mutually beneficial employment relationships.
• Explore self-employment, microenterprise and other alternative employment pathways where appropriate.

Employer and stakeholder engagement

• Build and maintain effective relationships with employers, industry representatives and community organisations.
• Promote the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce and advocate for the employment of people with disability.
• Provide employers with practical advice regarding workplace inclusion, reasonable adjustments, onboarding and ongoing support.
• Collaborate with NDIS providers, support coordinators, allied health professionals, families, advocates and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation positively at networking events, employer forums and community activities.

Workplace support and retention

• Support clients and employers during onboarding and the transition into employment.
• Identify and implement appropriate formal and informal workplace supports.
• Provide practical assistance to help clients learn duties, develop confidence and build workplace relationships.
• Monitor employment progress and respond proactively to emerging issues.
• Support employers and clients to resolve workplace challenges and manage changes to duties or support requirements.
• Maintain contact with clients and employers in accordance with program requirements and individual support plans.

Compliance, documentation and reporting

• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential client records in accordance with organisational, contractual, NDIS and legislative requirements.
• Complete case notes, employment plans, progress reports, outcome documentation and funding-related records.
• Monitor service delivery against client goals, program requirements and relevant performance measures.
• Comply with privacy, work health and safety, risk management, safeguarding and incident-reporting obligations.
• Identify and escalate risks, complaints, incidents, conflicts of interest and service concerns appropriately.
• Participate in audits, quality-improvement activities, supervision, training and team meetings.
• Work within the NDIS Practice Standards and relevant organisational policies and procedures.

About You

We’re looking for engaged, motivated professionals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. You bring genuine empathy, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to represent people’s interests in conversations with employers.

Essential Requirements:

• Current NDIS Worker Screening Employee Check or the ability to obtain one
• Current Working With Children Check -“Employee” or the ability to obtain one
• Current Victorian Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Evidence of the right to work in Australia.
• Demonstrated experience in employment services, disability services, community services, career development or a related field.
• Understanding of person-centred, strengths-based and inclusive employment practices.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop knowledge of, the NDIS and employment-related supports.
• Strong communication, active listening, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with people with diverse communication styles, abilities, backgrounds and support needs.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with employers and identify or create employment opportunities.
• Ability to manage sensitive information and maintain accurate professional documentation.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and work across multiple locations. A solutions-focused, accountable and collaborative approach.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, human rights and the employment of people with disability.

Desirable Experience and Skills:

• Relevant qualification in employment services, community services, disability, rehabilitation, career development, human resources or a related discipline.
• Experience delivering Inclusive Employment Australia, Disability Employment Services, School Leaver Employment Supports or NDIS-funded employment services.
• Experience supporting people with complex barriers to employment.
• Experience in job carving, job customisation, systematic instruction or workplace training.
• Knowledge of local labour markets, recruitment practices and employer engagement strategies.
• Lived experience of disability or experience working alongside people with disability.

What we offer?

• Work for a purpose-driven Social Enterprise where your people skills create real social impact.

• Build a rewarding career supporting development and inclusion.

• Be part of a values-based team committed to making a difference.

• Enjoy NFP salary-packaging benefits

• Be part of a growing, innovative program leading change in disability employment

Our Commitment to Diversity

Ability Works actively welcomes applications from:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

• People with disabilities

• Culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD)

• Mature-aged workers and career changers

• LGBTQIA+ individuals

• People with lived experience of disadvantage or employment barriers

We provide recruitment adjustments to ensure your full participation in the application process. Need support? Contact Kim at hr@abilityworks.com.au with the subject line “Engagement Specialist – Recruitment Support” or call 03 9853 7080.

Applications can be submitted by the link provided in this advertisement.