Woden Community Service (WCS) is a for-purpose organisation that has been providing community-based services for over 50 years. Our vision of ‘A caring community where everyone belongs’ is achieved through our values of Inclusion, Compassion, Hope, Responsiveness, Integrity and Social Justice.

WCS has been providing community mental health outreach to the Canberra community for over twelve years. Offering a stepped model of care, vulnerable Canberrans can access recovery-orientated community programs. WCS currently has six community mental health programs:

• New Path – supporting participants with severe mental illness with complex needs with early intervention community outreach. 
• Continuity of Support – supporting participants with severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs with lighter touch group and individual support.
• Transition to Recovery – supporting participants with significant mental illness requiring sub-acute transition support through intensive outreach in clinical partnership with ACT Health. 
• Southside Community Step Up, Step Down – supporting participants in serious mental health crisis through short term, intensive residential and psychosocial support.
• The Way Back Support Service – supporting participants who have experienced a suicide attempt with up to 12 weeks of support to rebuild community supports and stay safe. 
• Hoarding Advocacy Support Service – supporting participants who experience severe hoarding and/or squalor with complex case management, groups and training.   

WCS, in collaboration with Federal and ACT Governments, is enhancing its support for individuals after a suicide attempt or crisis. In this endeavour, we have introduced the role of Mental Health Intake and Liaison Officer in the Way Back Support Service. This role is pivotal in being the first point of contact for referring partners, establishing and maintaining a central intake and referral system, and managing datasets vital for funding partnerships and our mental health services. 

In this role, you will apply your problem-solving skills to refine our intake and referral systems, initially focusing on the Way Back Support Service. Your objective will be to create effective and adaptable pathways for participants and referring partners. Part of your responsibility will be to assess and enhance these systems, ensuring they meet immediate needs while also being scalable and applicable to other programs within our service line. This approach aims to establish robust processes that not only meet current requirements but also lay a foundation for future organisational improvements, ensuring all participants receive the necessary care without procedural gaps. 

Experience & Qualifications  

The ideal candidate for this role will possess tertiary qualifications in a community or health-related field, supplemented by substantial experience in developing and implementing human services systems. A deep understanding and extensive experience navigating the mental health systems within the ACT are desirable. You should have the capability to effectively evaluate and report on the efficacy of referral pathways, contributing to the Universal Aftercare Project’s objectives. Proficiency in data-centric applications, particularly Microsoft Excel, is required. We are looking for someone with demonstrated expertise in establishing, cultivating, and maintaining key relationships across various levels in the sector, including with referral sources. The ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion, especially in handling sensitive and confidential information, is paramount. We value the ability to build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with individuals, carers, and families, and expect a clear understanding of professional boundaries, privacy, and confidentiality. The role demands the capability to work effectively with limited supervision.

Our Offer

• Fixed-term, full-time position up to 30 June 2024, with possibility of extension.
• Salary of $102,883.10 p.a. plus 11% superannuation.
• Salary packaging (up to $15,899 per year) plus meal and entertainment cards
• Additional benefits including National Employee Assistance Program Service, Paid shutdown leave on standard working days between Christmas and New Year, and professional development opportunities.
• Location: 1 Bowes Place, Phillip ACT 2606 

A full Position Description is available outlining the knowledge, skills and experience required, visit: https://www.wcs.org.au/join-our-team/job-opportunities/mental-health-intake-and-liaison-officer/

To be eligible for employment, you must also have an ACT Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Card, working rights in Australia, and be willing to undertake background checks required for the position.

To apply, please submit your current resume and a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements of this role via Seek.

For further information about the role, please email Leanne Heald at [email protected] 

Closing Date: COB 22nd December 2023

For more information about WCS and services that we provide, including Youth & Family, Community Development, Housing and Homelessness, Disability, Mental Health and Aged Care, please visit our website at www.wcs.org.au

WCS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all abilities and life experiences. We also encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply.