If you have a physical disability or mental health condition and are hoping to find employment, community service jobs in Perth are ideal.
This is because you'll use your knowledge and lived experience to offer young people, the elderly, and other people with disabilities a helping hand.
In these roles, you will also have the opportunity to make your workplace aware of the employment-related challenges that you face, from attending interviews to sourcing appropriate transport. You can then help employers find appropriate solutions to tackle these barriers, and contribute to improving inclusivity in Perth.
In this article, we'll therefore discuss some of the top community service jobs that are available in Perth, and how Gracious Australia's NDIS approved disability services can help you find them.
Types of Community Service Jobs for People with Disabilities
Many Perth-based employers recognise that employing people with disabilities brings diversity, new skills, and creativity into their organisations.
As a result, there are a wide range of community-based roles that allow you to work closely with others in the local community, put your experiences to good use, and support you in reaching your career goals. Here are 6 of them:
Administrative Assistant
As an administrative assistant, you are likely to be responsible for processing reports, conducting research, and scheduling meetings. To be successful in this role, you must therefore demonstrate that you have strong organisational skills and great attention to detail.
Professional communication is also key, as you will be liaising with staff in other departments, customers, and perhaps even other businesses. If this is something that you struggle with in the workplace, you may benefit from mentoring services.
An NDIS mentor can be with you at every stage of the recruitment process, assisting you in writing resumes, preparing for interviews, and building the interpersonal skills required for an administrative role.
Youth Worker
The main job role of a youth worker is to provide support for children with more complex behavioural needs and their families. You will be helping to set children with disabilities and mental health conditions up for success, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the world.
The key tasks you'll be asked to perform will depend on the organisation. For instance, some more specific roles may require delivering trauma-informed therapeutic care, while others could involve guiding young people with school work, socialising, or helping them find employment after education.
Librarian
For those interested in literature, working as a librarian is an ideal public sector job opportunity. Not only will you assist in building book collections, but you'll also be based right at the heart of your local community.
Librarians are therefore responsible for maintaining a positive, friendly environment where all members feel welcome.
This could involve anything from providing professional reference and information services, to organising author visits, holiday programs, and community outreach events for children.
Customer Service Officer
Customer service officers respond to client inquiries, provide administrative support, and promote an organisation's key services to increase their utilisation.
This requires great communication skills, including the ability to interact with and support people from all walks of life.
It also tends to be a highly versatile job opportunity for those with a disability, as some jobs require face-to-face customer service, whereas others allow you to work over the phone from the comfort of your own home.
Community Engagement Officer
Community engagement officers organise fundraising initiatives and other fun events in and around Perth, to encourage community involvement in a company's projects and activities.
What's great about this job role is that it allows people with a disability to collaborate with a diverse range of people in an inclusive environment.
For example, you may be responsible for driving partnerships with key organisations, like youth services and City of Perth community groups. The role therefore gives you the chance to fully participate in your community, helping to achieve a better sense of belonging where you live.
Content Writer
If you're looking for a job opportunity allowing you to flex your creative muscles, then content writing is the ideal career path to get onto.
From food and drink to health and fitness, a wide range of industries need writers to produce blog posts, social media, and website content to help connect with their target audience.
As someone living with a disability or mental health condition, your knowledge and experience could make you the perfect candidate for disability support companies that are looking to produce accurate and engaging content for potential clients.
One of the other benefits of this role is the flexible working options. This is particularly ideal if you have a mobility-limiting disability, as it means that you can make your workplace your home.
Where Can I Find Work in Perth?
Although 92% of people with a disability in Western Australia are employed either part or full-time, employment rates are still well below those of people without a disability.
However, throughout both the private and public sector in Western Australia and Perth specifically, there are a number of organisations committed to increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
One such organisation is the Australian Red Cross, which makes workplace modifications to create a more positive, barrier-free recruitment process. To facilitate this, they have partnered with the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator, and are looking to fill various job roles in Perth, from first aid trainers to legal counsel.
Another non-profit organisation offering rewarding career paths for people with a disability is Rise, which provides a range of social support services around Perth. The company collaborates with a Steering Group consisting of people with disabilities, who advise Rise on the issues facing them when looking for work.
You can also find employment in your local area through the Government's Disability Employment Services.
This is a scheme that helps people with disabilities, mental health conditions, and psychosocial disorders find and maintain a job. It provides assistance that allows employers to support employees in the workplace, including applying relevant modifications like lifts, ramps, and screen readers.
Get Support Finding Employment
Here at Gracious Australia, we believe that having a disability shouldn't hold you back. That's why our employment support services are dedicated to helping every client pursue their passions and make an impact in the working world.
We can help with everything from finding inclusive workplaces that provide flexible working arrangements, to helping you build the skills and confidence needed to prepare yourself for employment.
Plus, if you require a little extra help, our daily living support services take away the stress of completing household chores, ensuring that you can fully focus on potential employment opportunities.
To discover exactly how our tailored support could help you achieve your career goals, speak to our friendly and expert team today.
