Position Details

Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria and is is the first Aboriginal truth-telling body to be established in Australia. Yoorrook is an opportunity for First Peoples to tell their whole story and an invitation for all Victorians to listen.

Yoorrook has been established as an independent Royal Commission under the Inquiries Act 2014. It is focuing on truth-telling and healing for First Peoples, by inquiring into historic and ongoing systemic injustices perpetrated against First Peoples in Victoria by State and non-State entities since colonisation until today.

Reporting to the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager and working across Yoorrook, the Counsellor role delivers frontline trauma-informed, person-centred, and culturally safe services to participants. The key function of this role is to support participants in a trauma-informed way that minimises the potential for traumatisation/re-traumatisation through the truth-telling process.

The Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) team at the Yoorrook Justice Commission works in partnership with First People’s Health and Wellbeing (FPHW) to provide culturally appropriate, trauma-informed third-party counselling and wellbeing services to Yoorrook participants and staff.

Yoorrook SEWB staff are seconded from Yoorrook to FPHW to ensure that clinical records are kept securely by FPHW (completely independent of Yoorrook’s records) in accordance with professional standards and applicable laws, in each case, as identified by FPHW as being applicable to the performance of the services. This also ensure that counselling and general wellbeing services provided to Yoorrook participants and staff are independent of Yoorrook’s operations.

This is a fixed-term role until 31 December 2024.

About You

This role will suit you if you have a strong understanding of culturally oriented social and emotional wellbeing knowledge and practice frameworks and models, with experience in utilising these in professional practice work, preferably in trauma-informed and multi-disciplinary services.

You will have a deep understanding of colonisation in Victoria, culturally safe service provision and experience in working with First Peoples who have experienced trauma. You will be energised by reducing barriers, enjoy creating easier ways of working and supporting your colleagues, and be committed to truth and justice for First Peoples.

Social Work, Psychology or Counselling qualifications, including current membership with a relevant professional body is a requirement of the role. Values alignment, and ability to provide immediate and autonomous clinical judgement and crisis intervention in highly stressful, complex, and sensitive situations will be key to success in the role.

We encourage you to reach out for a confidential conversation if you have any queries about your experience, qualifications, or other criteria. We’d love to learn more about how you’ll contribute to our team with your unique experience and perspective.

How to apply

Applications close on 22 October 2023 and should include:

• A resume; and
• A cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria as found in the position description (within two pages).

APPLY HERE: https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/work-with-us/counsellor-vpsg4/

For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Shaun Middlebrook, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager on 0467 523 585.

Other relevant information

Yoorrook’s Letters Patent requires it to prioritise the employment of First Peoples. First Peoples are strongly encouraged to apply for all roles at Yoorrook.  

Diversity and inclusion drives Yoorrook’s success. Yoorrook welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, including First Peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

All roles at Yoorrook can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.

Preferred candidates may be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates may be subject to a National Police Check.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia. As an authorised provider, Yoorrook is required to comply with the State Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination policy, which strongly recommends all employees be fully vaccinated.