After-Hours Engagement Worker

Why join Launch Housing

Launch Housing is an independent Melbourne based community organisation passionately committed to ending homelessness. From providing high quality housing and an innovative range of support, education and employment services, we bring solutions to homelessness under one roof for thousands at risk of, or experiencing the crisis and trauma of homelessness. With over 400 staff working across 16 locations in metropolitan Melbourne, we combine direct action with advocacy, research and innovation to drive widespread change.

Our people are the backbone of our organisation and supporting their wellbeing and professional development is critical to our ability to help our clients and the community. We value lived experience and diversity in our staff, and provide high-quality training & supervision, wellbeing days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and much much more to ensure your career with us is fulfilling.

Don’t just walk past homelessness. Join the solution.

Our permanent and fixed-term employee benefits include:
• Contributing to useful and rewarding work and giving something back to the community
• Wellbeing days, ceremonial leave, carers leave and study leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Purchased leave
• 17.5% leave loading
• 8 weeks’ gender neutral paid parental leave after 12 months of service for both the primary and secondary carer
• Training and career growth opportunities across Launch Housing
• A portion of your income can be tax-free by salary packaging your personal expenses
• Additional tax-free salary packaging on dining and accommodation expenses
• Positive, supportive and progressive work environment

About the opportunity:
The Better Health and Housing Program (BHHP) supports individuals with health issues who are experiencing chronic homelessness. For the majority of residents using the BHHP, the duration of stay is six months. The BHHP allows residents to stabilise their health and be part of a vibrant and supportive community with a focus on enhancing living skills, social connection and participation. The program will support participants to improve their health and wellbeing, whilst working towards long-term accommodation. The BHHP runs in partnership with St Vincent Hospital Melbourne and Brotherhood of St Laurence.

This position is based at Launch Housing Sumner House facility in Fitzroy. The position will be primarily responsible for the smooth operation of the Front of House area and undertake a range of administrative tasks and other activities as directed.

The key objectives of the After-Hours Engagement Worker are to provide support to residents, maintain the security of the building and to maintain the house dynamics to ensure an effective, safe and well-functioning facility. The role will be required to form excellent rapport and maintain relationships with both residents and the people who are supporting them. As an After-Hours Engagement Worker, you will have the ability to juggle competing demands in a crisis setting, working with people with significant issues requiring support - such as homelessness, health conditions, AOD, mental health, trauma and disability. You will also support the effective running of the accommodation service by maintaining the security of the site and responding to critical incidents.

This is a permanent part-time (51 hours a fortnight) role based at Sumner House Fitzroy.

This role will be contracted to active overnight shifts (11:30pm-8:30am). There may also be the opportunity to cover additional shifts ad hoc across the other times if other staff are on leave. These ad hoc shifts may be available across the morning and afternoon, however they are not guaranteed.

What you'll be doing::
• Engaging with residents onsite in an informal capacity, working from a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and client focused framework.
• Provide a comprehensive client-centred service to residents including referrals, safety planning, responsive support and advocacy in accordance with case plans.
• Monitor and manage the dynamics of the site with the aim of providing an environment which is safe, peaceful and enjoyable for all.
• Follow all handover procedures.
• Respond to critical incidents and breaches of site rules.
• Liaising with the St Vincent’s Hospital team to support resident's after-hours.
• Participate as a member of the site team in the overall development, evaluation and improvement of the service to enable the provision of effective and efficient service delivery to clients, including attending relevant training and staff meetings and annual performance reviews.

What we're looking for (key selection criteria): :
• An understanding of homelessness and the issues affecting people experiencing homelessness.
• A positive approach to teamwork as well as the ability work autonomously.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with clients and external services to achieve quality client outcomes.
• Direct experience in the delivery of crisis and support services.
• Comfort sitting with ambiguity.
• Experience in responding to critical incidents and emergency procedures including defusing client behaviour.
• Availability to work a variety of after-hours shifts including nights and weekends.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of Launch Housing and our mission to end homelessness
• Have a relevant tertiary qualification (desirable).

Working in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team that uses innovative housing practices, this exciting and challenging position offers applicants the opportunity to build their skills and empower the lives of people experiencing homelessness.

Applications close on the 8 of February 2026. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about the opportunity.

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity, please click on "Apply for this job" button. Please submit a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and your CV.

For a copy of the position description please contact us at [email protected].

Launch Housing offers a wide range of career opportunities and employs a diverse range of talent. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to apply! We acknowledge, respect and celebrate Aboriginal cultures, languages, connections to Country and heritage, customs and practices. We're committed to support Aboriginal peoples to obtain genuine and fulfilling career with us!

Launch Housing is a dog-friendly organisation, which allows dog owners to bring them in some of our sites, please contact the relevant Hiring Manager if you have any questions or concerns prior to your interview.

If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know at [email protected].

Launch Housing is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance to child abuse. Our hiring process involves rigorous screening of applicants. All of our people including students, contractors and volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check and satisfactory criminal history record check.

Launch Housing is an Equal Opportunity employer and supports accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex or queer. We acknowledge Lived Experience as a unique expertise and encourage people with a Lived Experience of Homelessness to apply. All applicants must have the right to work in Australia.

Launch Housing is working to become more trauma informed and as a leading employer in the homelessness sector, it is important to let you know that you will hear stories of distress, hardship, trauma, or violence when working with us. We encourage you to reflect on how this may impact you when considering applying for the role.