AOD Counsellor (Alcohol & Other Drugs)

Job No: 62441
Location: Pormpuraaw, QLD

  • Rewarding role providing AOD Counselling services to Aboriginal communities in an exciting outback location!
  • Attractive remuneration circa $85,896.72, commensurate with skills and experience, plus locality allowance and shared subsidised housing!
  • Rewarding and varied role with a community based provider of Aboriginal health services!
  • Two opportunities available!

About the Organisation

Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation is a non government, community controlled organisation, established in 1991 out of community need. It's focus is to provide quality, evidence-based services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Pormpuraaw Qld, providing child care, accommodation, education, domestic and family violence counselling, alcohol and other drug counselling and support for families and their children.

Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation is a proud employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and regards its human resources as a key component to the success of its services.

Click here to view the Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation website.

About the Pormpuraaw region

Pormpuraaw is an Aboriginal community situated on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula approximately half way 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.  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 two AOD Counsellors (Alcohol & Other Drugs) to join its dedicated team in Pormpuraaw, Qld.

The organisation has an opportunity for a person to work with the CEO on the development of policies, procedures, client and staff program manuals; and the development and implementation of risk management and quality improvement plans. This person will spend 40% of their time counselling and work with the CEO to enhance service delivery by embedding human services national quality framework and standards across all processes.

Reporting directly to the CEO; and team leading women's shelter staff if appropriately skilled; you'll be responsible for staff working in crisis and homelessness; domestic and family violence and the delivery of alcohol and other drug services including assessment, brief intervention, counselling, treatment and case management, crisis intervention and relapse management, to individuals, groups and families where alcohol, other drugs and domestic and family violence.

In addition, your responsibilities will include the coordination of referrals and joint case management, providing expert advice, staff mentoring and supporting a team of counsellors and family support workers to develop culturally appropriate promotion, prevention and community well being initiatives and group workshops.

More specifically, your day to day duties will include (but not be limited to):

  • Providing counselling and health education to community members and groups that is evidence based, holistic and culturally appropriate;
  • Facilitating activities or programs to enhance the delivery of alcohol and other drug services in the community;
  • Contributing to the coordination of community initiatives related to addressing alcohol and other drug use;
  • Developing and maintaining strong collaborative partnership approaches with key stakeholders and service providers that have an interest in addressing alcohol and other drug use;
  • Assisting in the development of appropriate service delivery models and tools for Social Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health, AOD and other therapeutic programs;
  • Contributing to the effective functioning and development of the services and programs;
  • Delivering timely reports and statistics on the delivery of services; and
  • Collecting and analysing research and data that identifies community trends, gaps, needs and issues.

To be successful you will have relevant tertiary or Certificate IV qualifications 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. 

To ensure your success, you must hold 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.

Please click the links below to view the application resources:

Position description

Application Information Package

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 $85,896.72, commensurate with your experience and qualifications, including generous salary sacrificing options with EPAC, isolation leave, locality allowance and subsidised shared housing!

Finally, you will have the opportunity to work in a beautiful, natural environment with a dedicated and passionate team - plus, you'll receive immense job satisfaction, contributing to the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their family and the community.

If you want to truly make a difference, Apply Now!

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