About Common Ground Project

Common Ground Project is a regenerative community farm and social enterprise located in Freshwater Creek, Victoria on a mission to connect and empower the community.

As farmers and members of the local community, we recognise our role in changing the food system. We envision a more resilient and thriving regenerative farming and food ecosystem, where all people have access and are connected to land, food, culture and community.

We work to connect the local community to food and farming through these core business and charity areas:

• Regenerative Farming and Food Hub Markets - growing nutrient-rich food and working on regenerating our small pocket of land; connecting the local community to our regenerative produce and producers from around the region, and supporting new and emerging producers.
• Education Programs - school programs, internships and placements, community workshops, community volunteering, corporate volunteering, farm tours and collaborations with other organisations and businesses across our region;
• Training and Employment Programs - Our Staying Grounded program exists to support people facing disadvantage in the community.

Role Description & Opportunity

As we have received funding to support more roles in food and farming systems and continue our education, program and training offering, we are excited to welcome new members to our team! The Training Coordinator will oversee the placement, internship and work experience component of our Education Program offering, that will support students from the Greater Geelong region with meaningful, inclusive and safe participation in our food and farming organisation and wider network.

The Training Coordinator will be responsible for the planning, design, delivery and evaluation of the students and young people on a placement, work experience or internship, working closely with the rest of the Common Ground Project team to create inspiring and empowering projects and work-plans. The Training Coordinator will provide professional and informed development and support to these students, from their experience and qualifications in related areas of study and practice (see key selection criteria below).

The role will include maintaining and establishing new partnerships with organisations, service providers, Universities and schools across the Greater Geelong region that advises, collaborates with and supports the intention to create more opportunities for youth facing structural disadvantage and barriers to education and employment. As a member of the Education Program team, there will be an opportunity to work on the appropriate policies and monitoring and evaluation frameworks for this program and others. This role will be guided by the Programs Manager, but also work closely with a junior Program Facilitator. See below for a list of key responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the induction, work-plan and evaluation of placement, work experience and internship students through partnerships with recruitment organisations (already established partnerships: GRRLEN, GR8, Deakin University, GYE, Cultura, GenU, The Gordon/Geelong Tech School). This includes thorough knowledge of internal operations and goals across Common Ground Project to create meaningful training programs and work-plans and experiences for the students.
• Support the induction of all training, education and employment program participants (across young people, migrants and refugees and people with disabilities).
• Maintain and seek new partnerships that support ethical and inclusive education and training opportunities for young people and migrant women in the Greater Geelong region.
• Support the development of program department and organisational policies and procedures, including a Child Safe Policy and Trauma Informed Policy.
• Work with the Programs Manager to establish a monitoring & evaluation framework for the program and collect and report on/communicate the data.
• Monitor implementation of project plans and reporting outcomes to stakeholders, management and funders (where applicable).
• Delivering on programs (school program, corporate volunteering, farm tour) where applicable, with training from Programs Manager.
• Work closely with the Programs Manager and the Program Facilitator, as well as with the wider CGP team towards our mission and strategy across the project.

Key Selection Criteria

• Tertiary qualification in relevant fields: Community Development or Services, Social Work, Youth Work, Environments, Education, Psychology or Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (essential).
• Minimum 2 years experience of employment in a field related to the above area of study (desirable).
• Experience in training, facilitation or education (desirable).
• Knowledge of regenerative food and farming systems and the general sector (or Greater Geelong specific), and a drive to educate, inspire and empower future generations.
• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to build relationships with a diverse range of key partners, stakeholders, community groups and organisations, maintaining existing partnerships and seeking new opportunities that benefit Common Ground Project’s mission.
• Experience working with young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in cross-cultural settings and a demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity, access and community participation.
• Demonstrated proficiency using databases, software, data entry, Microsoft word/Excel skills. These include: Google Suite (multiple email accounts, calendar and Drive), Xero, Airtable, Canva, Linktree, Humanitix, Trello, Squarespace, Dext and Microsoft Word/Excel.
• Demonstrated capacity for resourcefulness and self-motivation and an ability to manage competing and complex work priorities, working autonomously within a small, agile team.
• Experience writing grant proposals and project management.
• Experience developing and reviewing policies and procedures.
• Experience in developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and applying them to programs.
• Farm or horticulture experience, including being physically able to work outdoors in various weather conditions (desirable but not required).
• Current Australian driver’s license, ability to drive manual, and a clean driving record.
• The right to work in Australia.
• Current Victorian Working With Children Check and National Police Check, or willingness to obtain.

A position description is attached.

Values, Culture & Conditions of Employment

We are an inclusive team and value diversity in all its forms. Women, LGBTQIA+ folks, anyone who identifies as Indigenous or any other racialised groups, those from ethnically diverse communities are welcome in our team. In your role, we hope you will express yourself, inspire others and contribute to the dynamism of the Common Ground Project culture.

You will be an ambassador for our culture, and we expect you to:

• Share and embody Common Ground Project’s vision for a more resilient, fair and thriving regenerative farming and food ecosystem;
• Inspire, lead by example, be passionate about your work;
• Take responsibility for your own work and continually look for ways to improve existing approaches;
• Commit to reflection and learning, including sharing failures and uncertainties;
• Ensure the well-being of staff, and take care of each other.
• The employee agrees to abide by all health and safety rules and requirements, policies and procedures of the employer that may be amended from time to time.
• Common Ground Project is an equal opportunity employer and a child safe organisation.

Any questions can be emailed to [email protected] using the subject line: Training Coordinator - Freshwater Creek enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If you do not meet all key selection criteria but have lived experience, we encourage you to apply.