Catalina Vergara
Summary
Committed, professional and enthusiastic with 14 years of experience working in the Community Services and Education sectors in site and project management , tertiary teaching, direct service delivery, leadership, strategic planning, and policy development.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
KOSS Senior Project Officer
VSBA
08.2023 - Current
- Ensure the effective roll-out of new and expanded infrastructure across regions and establish cost effective policies, management control systems and financial practices as they relate to the successful delivery of the BSBL and Three-Year-Old Kindergarten reform
- Play a key senior role in the implementation of a detailed infrastructure strategy in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
- Manage effective relationships and communications with key stakeholders internally and externally on the development and delivery of new program strategies and initiatives
Acting Manager Therapeutic Service
Department of Families Fairness & Housing
06.2023 - 07.2023
- Manage the day to day operations of the Therapeutic facility
- Provide leadership and support to staff
- Advocate for the needs of the facility and young people accessing the program
Kinship Engagement Coordinator
Department of Families, Fairness & Housing
03.2023 - Current
- Kinship finding and support for out of home care children and young people
- Liaise with stakeholders to identify placement options for children and young people in residential care
Team Leader of Youth Services
City of Port Phillip
01.2016 - 02.2023
- Lead operations of Youth Services
- Design and implement youth consultation to inform Youth Policy
- Develop Youth Policy
- Establish and maintain partnerships
- Contract management & strategic planning
- Safety Management System project management
Community Sites Upgrade Project Manager
City of Port Phillip
01.2021 - 09.2022
- Identified community site's needs and liaised with local organisations to increase site use
- Managed the upgrade of two community sites (Adventure Playgrounds), including risk identification and sites activation planning
- Developed and initiated project plan, managed costs, and monitored performance
Community Transport Review Project Manager
City of Port Phillip
04.2019 - 07.2019
- Stakeholder engagement/ interviews
- Data analysis and recommendations
- Executive Report writing
- Communication of review outcomes to stakeholders
Community Services Sessional Teacher
Victoria University
01.2021 - 02.2023
- Teaching units in the Diploma of Community Services
- Supporting the review of unit content
- Supervision of placement students
Acting Youth Services Coordinator
City Of Port Phillip
01.2017 - 02.2017
- Oversee the operation and strategic direction of the Youth Services Unit.
Team Leader of Youth Services
Maribyrnong City Council
10.2015 - 01.2016
- Lead the Youth Outreach, Youth Engagement and Planning, and Counselling teams to ensure the implementation of Youth Strategy
- Engage with community stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives and programs for local young people delivered at the Phoenix Youth Hub.
- Support the Facilities Team Leader to increase access and usage of the Phoenix Youth Hub.
Team Leader Youth Counselling and Outreach
Maribyrnong City Council
12.2014 - 11.2015
- Lead the Youth Outreach and Counselling teams to ensure the implementation of the Youth Strategy
- Policy development- Youth Support Policy
Youth and Education Services Coordinator
Westgate Community Initiatives Group, WCIG
01.2014 - 12.2014
- Worked across the Youth Services Department and Training Services Department to coordinate the provision of the Skills for Education and Employment program, and the Youth Connections program in the Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley, and Hume LGA’s
Youth Services Coordinator
Westgate Community Initiatives Group, WCIG
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Coordinated the delivery of the Youth Connections Program in the Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley Local Government areas
- Coordinated the activation of learning hubs for the delivery of training services and courses
Springboard Youth Worker
Westgate Community Initiatives group, WCIG
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Provided individual support to young people in the Out of Home Care system in a case management framework.
Family Violence - Refuge Coordinator
Georgina Collective Inc
06.2010 - 12.2010
- Coordinated the day to day operations of Georgina Women’s refuge
- Responsible for leading the development and implementation of the . Service Strategy and Business Plan
- Reported directly to the board of management.
Family Violence- Children´s Case Manager
Georgina Martina Incorporated
08.2008 - 06.2010
- Provided case management support for children accessing Georgina Women’s refuge.
Education
Vocational Graduate Diploma of Community Sector Management -
Skills Training Australia
O2015
Diploma of Community Welfare -
NMIT
2008
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -
Inspire Education
2012
Child Safe National Principles
Human Rights Commission 10.2022
MARAM Risk Assessment
Safe & Equal01.2022
Strengths Based Practice -
St Lukes
2012
Suicide Risk Assessment Training -
Melbourne University
2011
Responding To Sexual Assault Train The Trainer -
Centre Against Sexual Assault
2010
Skills
- Strong Analytical skills to apply to complex issues and align with policy responses
- Sound Policy development skills
- Strong Strategic planning and implementation
- Experienced leader
- Effective Stakeholder engagement
- Exceptional Communication skills
- Site Contract Management & Project Management experience
Timeline
KOSS Senior Project Officer
VSBA
08.2023 - Current
Acting Manager Therapeutic Service
Department of Families Fairness & Housing
06.2023 - 07.2023
Kinship Engagement Coordinator
Department of Families, Fairness & Housing
03.2023 - Current
Community Sites Upgrade Project Manager
City of Port Phillip
01.2021 - 09.2022
Community Services Sessional Teacher
Victoria University
01.2021 - 02.2023
Community Transport Review Project Manager
City of Port Phillip
04.2019 - 07.2019
Acting Youth Services Coordinator
City Of Port Phillip
01.2017 - 02.2017
Team Leader of Youth Services
City of Port Phillip
01.2016 - 02.2023
Team Leader of Youth Services
Maribyrnong City Council
10.2015 - 01.2016
Team Leader Youth Counselling and Outreach
Maribyrnong City Council
12.2014 - 11.2015
Youth and Education Services Coordinator
Westgate Community Initiatives Group, WCIG
01.2014 - 12.2014
Youth Services Coordinator
Westgate Community Initiatives Group, WCIG
01.2012 - 01.2014
Springboard Youth Worker
Westgate Community Initiatives group, WCIG
01.2011 - 01.2012
Family Violence - Refuge Coordinator
Georgina Collective Inc
06.2010 - 12.2010
Family Violence- Children´s Case Manager
Georgina Martina Incorporated
08.2008 - 06.2010
Vocational Graduate Diploma of Community Sector Management -
Skills Training Australia
Diploma of Community Welfare -
NMIT
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -
Inspire Education
Child Safe National Principles
MARAM Risk Assessment
Strengths Based Practice -
St Lukes
Suicide Risk Assessment Training -
Melbourne University
Responding To Sexual Assault Train The Trainer -
Centre Against Sexual Assault
Similar Profiles
Sarvesha ZapardeSarvesha Zaparde
Project Officer – Maintenance Delivery at Department of Education - Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA)Project Officer – Maintenance Delivery at Department of Education - Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA)
Lisa BarnettLisa Barnett
Principal Project Officer/Senior Project Officer at Department of JusticePrincipal Project Officer/Senior Project Officer at Department of Justice
Yachana NarangYachana Narang
Senior Project Control Officer/Senior Project Coordinator at IBMSenior Project Control Officer/Senior Project Coordinator at IBM
OZLEM DEMİREL COOKOZLEM DEMİREL COOK
Project Manager / Senior Project Officer at The Council of Europe (CoE) Programme Office in AnkaraProject Manager / Senior Project Officer at The Council of Europe (CoE) Programme Office in Ankara
Yonna DiggsYonna Diggs
Strategic Technical Trainer at Fwdthink LLCStrategic Technical Trainer at Fwdthink LLC