The Role

The Families and Young People Services team have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, knowledgeable, resilient, proactive and experienced professional counsellor to join Mercy Community’s Family Mental Health Support Service (FMHSS) on a permanent full-time basis, based in our Ipswich office.

 You will provide a range of services, including counselling, assessment, intervention planning and support to children and young people who are showing early signs of, or are at risk of developing mental health concerns with the support of their families.

Specifically, the Counsellor position provides counselling and therapeutic services to children and young people through a range of modalities including Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), psychoeducation and Expressive therapies: Play therapy, Art therapy, Sand tray therapy and Somatic work. This position also liaises and interacts with a broad network of stakeholders who participate in or impact on the successful outcomes for our clients and families.

 This position offers a competitive salary of $82,044 – $88,288 plus superannuation (dependent on qualifications and experience). You will also have the opportunity to increase your take-home pay by salary sacrificing and other benefits (more information below).

 To be eligible for this position you will require:

• Degree in Counselling, Psychology, Behavioural Sciences, Social Work, or related discipline from a recognised institution.
• Experience in working therapeutically with children and young people who have mental health presentations through the application of relevant therapeutic modalities.
• A sound knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the range of issues impacting upon vulnerable families, young people and children.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and implement cultural competency while working with clients and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• You will hold a Provisional Green (P2) or above Driver’s License.
• Ability to obtain positive notice in the Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and any other legislatively required personal history screening as required.
• Evidence of a current vaccination against whooping cough or willingness to obtain prior to commencement unless applicable exemption provided as per the relevant Mercy Communities procedure.

 Why choose to work at Mercy?

Mercy Community appreciates the important work that each person contributes to the success of our programs and services. Being part of the Mercy team, means you have access to some fantastic benefits, such as we:

• Pay for your Queensland Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening Card when you need – saving you up to $144 if you need both cards!
• Provide you and your immediate family free, professional, and confidential counselling services. This includes specialised First Nations counsellors.
• Provide the opportunity to increase your take home pay through the use of salary sacrificing and other packaging benefits -up to $18,550 per annum is available to take advantage of!
• Provide access to novated leases for a vehicle to help reduce your taxable income.

 Depending on your role, you may also be eligible:

• For annual influenza and/or other vaccination reimbursements
• To receive pay bonus’ of $500 for successful employee referrals.
• To cash out or purchase annual leave and to
• take advantage of extra leave entitlements

 We also ensure all our employees have access to a wide variety of excellent learning and development tools to continue your professional and personal development. This includes making sure you have access to plenty of other career pathways and opportunities in the broader Families and Young People programs, or in other programs and

 About Us

Mercy Community is a Catholic not-for-profit, compassionately inspiring and supporting people to live hopeful, connected lives within inclusive communities. We support families and young people, people living with a disability, and older people, and live by our values of Compassion, Integrity, Dignity and Empowerment. We have been providing services and support for over 150 years and our team operates across a network that encompasses urban, rural and remote communities. Please visit our website to find out more about our dedicated team and the work we do.

Mercy Community is delivering the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan to boost our commitment to First Nations deliverables and actions.

How to Apply

Hit apply now! Please Note: Applications will be assessed as they are received, and progression of suitable candidates will occur in real-time. We are seeking an appointment as soon as possible and as such, applications may close sooner than 9:00am, Monday 6th November 2023.

 Mercy is committed to Safeguarding – taking actions to promote and ensure the welfare of children and adults at risk, protect them from abuse or neglect and supporting an awareness of whole community responsibility to help and protect all in need.