Community Linking & Leisure Specialist

• Part-time opportunity (0.5 – 0.8 EFT negotiable) 

• Based at Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Kew 
• Grade 1 or Grade 2 (dependent on experience) 
• Support people to reconnect with life in the community after injury or illness 

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives. 

About the Community Integration & Leisure Services department

The Community Integration & Leisure Services team supports people with acquired disability to reconnect with their community, rebuild social networks, and develop meaningful lifestyles beyond hospital.  

We work closely with multidisciplinary teams across rehabilitation, contributing a unique lens focused on participation, identity and life beyond clinical recovery.  

About the role 

As a Community Linking & Leisure Specialist, you will be to support individuals to explore what matters to them and work to reconnect individuals with community life in ways that are meaningful and sustainable.  

A regular day will see you:   

• Assess interests, strengths and goals to guide individualised planning 

• Support access to social, recreational and community opportunities 

• Build confidence, independence and problem-solving skills 

• Develop connections with local organisations and supports 

• Work collaboratively with patients, families and the multidisciplinary team 
• Contribute to service improvement and new ideas 

This role is open to both: 

• Grade 1 professionals developing their practice under supervision 
• Grade 2 professionals bringing greater autonomy and experience  

This role draws on person-centred approaches to leisure and community participation. Applicants will be asked to reflect on this as part of the application process. 

About you 

To be successful in this role you’ll bring with you:

• Motivated by community inclusion, participation and social impact 

• Communications skills and the ability to build strong relationships 

• Initiative, curiosity and a willingness to learn 
• Able to work both independently and as part of a broader team 

We welcome applicants with backgrounds in: 

• Recreation therapy 

• Community development 
• Social sciences or related fields 

Experience in rehabilitation, disability or community-based work is valued—but not essential. 

If you’re early in your career, or bringing transferable skills, we encourage you to apply. 

Our benefits 

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including: 

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation. 
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program. 
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options. 
• Mentoring and career development opportunities. 

Work with us! 

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures. 

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working with Children Check. Austin Health is a child safe organisation, committed to upholding the rights, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people in line with Child Safe Standards. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Sal Dema, Manager Leisure Services at Salvatore.Dema@austin.org.au using the subject line: Community Linking & Leisure Specialist enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details. 

As part of your application, please address selection criteria listed in the PD and include a short response to the following:  “What does ‘leisure’ mean to you, and how does it shape your approach to supporting people?”