Lead Community. Create Opportunity. Make a Visible Difference.
Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre (CNLC) is a dynamic, values-driven Neighbourhood House and recognised community leader in Carlton and beyond.
For decades, CNLC has been at the heart of the local community — bringing people together, responding to emerging needs, advocating for equity, and delivering practical programs that improve everyday lives. We are trusted locally, well-connected across networks, and deeply embedded in the social fabric of Carlton.
Every week our centre is alive with adult education classes, food security initiatives, community lunches, environmental programs, volunteer activity, and local partnerships. Our site includes a beautiful community garden — complete with five very productive local chickens — that anchors much of our sustainability and food security work.
This is a place where ideas turn into action, partnerships become impact, and community development is visible and tangible.
About Us
CNLC operates as a Neighbourhood House, Learn Local provider, Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Registered charity, Community-managed incorporated association. Our mission is to work with the community to connect people, create opportunity, promote equity, and challenge disadvantage. Our values guide everything we do: Inclusive – Respectful – Social Justice – Integrity – Quality
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and confident Community Development Coordinator to lead and coordinate CNLC’s Community Development programs.
This is a 0.6 EFT position (22.8 hours per week over 3 days). An additional 0.2 EFT may be offered subject to external grant funding, with the potential to commence from 01 July.
Reporting to the CEO, you will provide operational leadership across key programs including:
* Alive & Active (HACC)
* Thursday Community Lunch and monthly Wednesday lunch at CAN
* Weekly Food Relief Market
* Food Security Lived Experience Group
* Community Garden program
* Volunteer coordination
* “Cool Places” summer project
* Support to auspiced community groups
You will supervise Community Development staff and contractors, coordinate events and engagement activities, and monitor program budgets to ensure effective and compliant delivery. See the Position Description for full role responsibilities.
This role combines leadership, hands-on coordination, community engagement, and strategic thinking. It is suited to someone who enjoys both people and systems, and who thrives in a busy, community-facing environment.
Why Work at CNLC?
* Be part of a respected and established community leader in Carlton
* Work alongside a collaborative, committed team
* Lead programs that directly support people experiencing disadvantage
* Genuine autonomy and trust in your role
* Strong culture of supervision, professional development and continuous improvement
* Opportunity to chair local networks and build influential partnerships
* Work in a centre with an active community garden and sustainability focus
Salary & Benefits
* Neighbourhood Houses and Adult Community Education Centres Agreement 2016, Schedule 3B, Class II Level 6
* $55.72 per hour + superannuation
* Ongoing position (subject to funding and performance)
* 3-month probation applies
Not-for-profit salary packaging available, including up to $15,900 per FBT year for everyday living expenses, increasing your take-home pay.
About You
You are an experienced community development practitioner who can confidently coordinate programs, supervise staff and volunteers, and build strong community relationships.
You bring:
* Demonstrated experience applying community development principles and practice in community-based settings
* Experience building community capacity, fostering participation and supporting community leadership
* Experience developing and maintaining effective partnerships and local networks
* Experience supervising staff and volunteers
* Experience coordinating community programs, initiatives and events
* Ability to manage operational priorities within approved budgets
* Strong interpersonal, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills
* Experience working alongside people experiencing structural disadvantage
* Strong organisational and administrative capability
* A clear commitment to social inclusion, equity and community-led approaches
Desirable:
* Qualification in Community Development or related field
* Experience in a Neighbourhood House setting
* First Aid qualification
* Driver’s Licence
Child Safety & Inclusion
CNLC is a Child Safe Organisation and is committed to equity, diversity and culturally safe practice. All staff are required to hold a current Working With Children Check and a satisfactory Police Check.
For enquiries, please contact Tony Milne, CEO, on 9347 2739.
If you want to work in a place where community development is real, visible, and valued — we would welcome your application.