AOD Counsellor (Female Identified)
Job No:
104443
Location:
Pormpuraaw
- Rewarding role providing alcohol and other drugs counselling services to Aboriginal communities in an exciting outback location!
- Attractive remuneration circa $80,000-$85,000 commensurate with skills and experience
- Great benefits including salary sacrificing, locality allowance and subsidised, fully furnished housing
About the Organisation
Pormpur Paanth Aboriginal Corporation is a non government community controlled organisation originally established in 1991 to provide protection and support to women experiencing domestic / family violence. The organisation has expanded to include a suitable learning environment for children as well as family wellbeing and health support for those exposed to substance misuse, mental health domestic/family violence.
Services focus on quality, evidence based services that are appropriate in meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women, children and families in the Pormpuraaw community.
Services have a coordinated and holistic community approach that includes:
- Executive
- Administration
- Early Childhood Leaning
- Integrated Healing Services (Women’s Shelter, Men’s Healing Service, Family and Child Therapies and AOD Therapeutic Services)
- Child and Youth Development
About the Pormpuraaw region
Pormpuraaw is a remote Aboriginal community situated on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula approximately halfway between Karumba and Weipa on the Edward River, located 650 kilometres from Cairns.
With its paved roads and lagoons full of bird life, Pormpuraaw is close to white, pristine beaches between the Chapman and Munkun Rivers and is one of Cape York’s best kept secrets for barramundi, bream and salmon fishing. Despite its small population of only 700-750 people, it hosts guest accommodation, camping areas, a supermarket, post office, school, clinic, police station and social services. The people of Pormpuraaw are proud of their community and its history.
About the Opportunity
Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation has a rewarding and exciting opportunity for a female identified, AOD Counsellor (Alcohol & Other Drugs) to join its dedicated team in Pormpuraaw, Qld. In this position an applicant's gender is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised by division 2, section 14 & 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1997, as amended.
This role is being offered on a full-time, 12 month contract basis with renewal subject to funding and performance. There is also the option to provide locum services for the first few weeks, if you would like to get a feel for the role and life in the community before committing to a longer term contract.
Reporting to the Integrated Services Manager, you will provide a holistic, culturally appropriate alcohol and other drug service that includes the delivery of an alcohol and other drug program; the use of screening assessment, early intervention and care planning tools; as well as bereavement, trauma, crisis, family violence and financial counselling.
More specifically, your day-to-day duties will include (but not be limited to):
- Working with the Service Integration Manager/CEO to implement and review appropriate service delivery models as required, and tools for Social Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug and Therapeutic programs;
- Providing case management, crisis intervention and relapse management services as well as attending unit, staff, practice and risk management meetings that support individuals, groups and families where alcohol and/or other drugs use is a concern;
- Facilitating activities or programs to enhance the delivery of alcohol and other drug services in the community, in alignment with Australian National Drug Strategy Framework, the National Strategic Framework for Social Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Organisation policies of demand, supply and harm reduction and harm minimisation; and
- Actively contribute of the effective functioning and development of the service program by participating in operational planning, implementation reporting and evaluation of program development activities.
At times you may be called upon to perform in the role of an on call counsellor for the Women’s Shelter. As part of compliance and reporting you will be expected to complete online reporting at the discretion of your manager.
To view the full position description, please click here.
About You
To be considered for this position you will hold a minimum of a Certificate IV qualification or higher in a Psychology, Social Work or Occupational Therapy discipline, preferably along with registration with APS, AASW, ACWA or AHPRA. Ideally, you will also have recognised qualifications in the drug and alcohol field as well as a willingness to undertake further professional development. You will also have experience working within NQF and NQS.
In addition, you will have experience working with Indigenous people, along with a demonstrated commitment to delivering evidence based and culturally appropriate counselling models, tools and frameworks to improve Indigenous health, and social and emotional well-being. You will also demonstrate a sensitivity to the social and cultural issues faced by people in the Pompuraaw community.
Importantly, you'll also have experience in case management and delivering various therapeutic programs. You will have the ability to support and mentor other health and social welfare professionals and staff, and you will be able to work effectively both independently and in a multi-disciplined social health team environment. (See here: http://pormpurpaanthu.com.au/integrated-healing-services/ and http://pormpurpaanthu.com.au/service-model-of-recovery/)
You'll be providing AOD counselling and casework as well as networking with external health providers so it is essential that you are highly organised and have excellent communication and administration skills. Computer literacy skills are essential, as are your high level of reporting and submission writing skills. Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills will be advantageous.
Please note: Prior to commencement you must be able to show or obtain a current driver's licence and a Working with Vulnerable People or Blue Card. As there is travel involved in the role, your flexibility and willingness to travel and remain away from home base for short periods of time is also required.
About the Benefits
In this varied role, you will enjoy working with a supportive, close-knit team that takes a lot of pride in the work that they deliver. You will also receive ongoing professional training with an organisation that actively supports your career development.
The successful applicant will be rewarded with an attractive salary package circa $80,000-$85,000 + super, commensurate with your experience and qualifications.
You will also have access to a host of additional benefits including:
- Generous salary sacrificing options with EPAC;
- 2 weeks isolation leave;
- Relocation assistance;
- locality allowance; and
- Subsidised, fully furnished housing
This is a rare opportunity to live and work in a remote Aboriginal community and make some genuine improvements in the health and wellbeing of its residents. If you think you have what it takes, don't wait - apply now.