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.

The Mental Health team at Woden Community Service is seeking for a qualified and committed Recovery Worker to work across the Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program (CPSP) and Hoarding Advocacy Support Service (HASS).

The CPSP provides community outreach support to people experiencing severe mental health issues, who are not more appropriately supported by the NDIS. Participants are supported through the New Path Service (shorter-term earlier intervention support), Continuity of Support (medium to longer-term, lighter-touch support for people with more complex co-occurring conditions) and Access Enabling (wrap-around support and assistance with applications for the NDIS).

The HASS trial is an initiative of the ACT government Hoarding Case Management Group (HCMG), responsible for a whole-of-government approach to the management of complex hoarding and domestic squalor cases. The key focus of the targeted HASS trial is working with and advocating for, specific clients to improve their particular hoarding circumstance and to provide effective liaison between the individuals, government regulators, government support services, community support services and natural supports.

Our Offer

• Fixed-term full-time (38 hours/week) position up to end of June 2024 with the possibility of an extension.
• Salary packaging (up to $15,899 per year) plus meal and entertainment cards.
• Paid shutdown leave on standard working days between Christmas and New Year.
• Work in a supportive, dedicated team.
• Professional development and extensive training provided.
• Monthly external supervision. 
• National EAP Service. 
• Location: 1 Bowes Place, Phillip ACT 2606.
• Salary of $82,326.30 p.a. plus 11% Superannuation. 

Essential Experience & Qualifications  

• Minimum qualification for the role is a Cert IV in Mental Health or equivalent. Qualifications in Psychology, Community Development / Education, Counselling or Social Work will be preferred.
• Extensive skills, knowledge and experience in providing direct and personalised assistance through outreach, providing information and referral, as well as monitoring and reporting on progress.
• An understanding and demonstrated awareness of strength-based, solution focused and recovery approaches. An understanding of social justice principles.
• Demonstrated ability to build supportive and respectful relationships with people experiencing mental illness and significant distress, including family members and carers.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to develop strong relationships and trust with people experiencing mental illness, their families and carers, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a small team and a willingness to participate in reflective practice. 
• Thorough understanding of the importance of personal and professional boundaries, ethical behaviour, policies and procedures.

A full Position Description is available outlining the knowledge, skills and experience: https://www.wcs.org.au/join-our-team/job-opportunities/mental-health-recovery-worker-cpsp-hass/ 

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 contact Lorinda Slatter, email: [email protected] 

Closing Date: 17 August 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.