Position: Support Officer – Katungul Women’s Healing Centre
Location: Bega
Hours: Full Time / Part Time (38 hours per week)
Award: SCHADS Industry Award level 4/5 $70,424 – 80,000 p.a.
We have two new and exciting support officer vacancies within our Community Services Team. Ideally you will:
- be passionate about contributing to your community
- have well developed case management skills
- be compassionate and knowledgeable about domestic and family violence
- practice within a trauma informed framework
- communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- enjoy supporting women and children
About Us
Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Community and Medical Services (Katungul) is a not-for-profit organisation providing culturally attuned, integrated health and community services on the Far South Coast of New South Wales.
Our vision is for Aboriginal people to live healthy lives enriched by a strong living culture, dignity and justice and for Katungul’s work to be recognised as a driving force in achieving this.
Our behaviour will demonstrate trust, leadership, respect, professionalism and commitment.
The Program
The Katungul Women’s Healing Centre (KWHC) is a newly established centre in Bega that responds to the needs of Aboriginal women and their children who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, domestic and family violence and homelessness. We provide a therapeutic and holistic response that supports women on a healing journey to holistically address their safety, accommodation, health, wellbeing, cultural and other needs.
The Position
The newly developed Support Officer positions at KWHC provide trauma-informed supportive activities including case management, risk assessment and safety planning. Healing and case management plans are informed by the strengths, knowledge and individuality of each woman and child presenting to KWHC. The role draws on knowledge of gender-based violence prevention. In recognition of the gendered nature of domestic and family violence, Katungul enforces an all-female staffing policy at KWHC which maximises women’s safety within the centre. Being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s.31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
Key responsibilities
- Deliver an inclusive and accessible specialist service to Aboriginal people who identify as female, and children
- Oversee and participate in day-to-day operations of KWHC
- Conduct comprehensive safety assessments and undertake safety planning to address clients immediate needs
- Assess the client’s social support needs, provide case management and client advocacy
- Facilitate client intake and exit
- Prepare units/rooms for new clients
- Assist with client transport to appointments and other support activities
- Liaise with internal and external agencies and coordinating client referrals
- Engage in community outreach work to build relationships with community members and the services available
- Maintain up to date database of client data
- Support a culturally safe workplace that promotes respect for all colleagues, clients and visitors at the Centre
- Provide and promote cultural activities for clients residing at the Centre, as determined by the program
- Provide an after-hours response to the women and children onsite if required, on a roster basis
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience (Selection Criteria)
The following qualifications are prioritised by:
- A tertiary qualification in community services; social work; psychology or a related discipline
- A minimum of two years’ experience working with survivors of domestic and family violence
- A minimum of two years’ experience working in a similar supportive role in the social welfare space such as mental health, homelessness, AOD and child welfare
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues relating to women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence
- Ability to maintain and support trauma-informed work practices
- Ability to effectively manage and address multiple tasks and priorities
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Experience in developing and maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to improve client experience and service outcomes
- Demonstrated connection to, or desire to engage with, local Aboriginal community members and the ability to uphold the principles of cultural safety
- Sound knowledge and experience in the use of information and communication technology including Microsoft word, email and internet applications and databases to manage client records
We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the above criteria.
Other requirements
- Current driver’s licence (you may be required to provide evidence of your driving record)
- As a child safe organisation, employment at Katungul is subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and Working with Children Check
- It is an essential requirement of the role that successful applicants are fully vaccinated against COVID 19. You will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status during the recruitment process
- Katungul considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s14 of the Anti-Discrimination ACT 1977 (see position description for further details)
What we offer
- Ongoing position with attractive salary and packaging benefits to increase take home pay
- Annual leave loading of 17.5%
- Professional support and ongoing learning and development opportunities
- Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs
- Strengths-based environment
- Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
To apply
- Please review the Position Description to understand more about the role.
- Email the following to [email protected]
- a Cover Letter (no longer than 3 pages) outlining how your qualifications, skills and experience are relevant to this position
- an up-to-date Resume
- address the above Selection Criteria also found in the position description
Note: providing a direct response to the selection criteria is optional, however, please ensure your resume and covering letter show your capabilities to fulfil the role.
For further information or a copy of the position description, contact Janette on 0404 134 326 or email [email protected]
The closing date for applications is 5:00pm Monday 21 August, 2023.