Counsellor

About the organisation

The Domestic Violence Resource Service (Mackay & Region) Inc. (DVRS) is a not-for-profit community organisation funded by the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG). It is co-located with another not-for-profit charitable organisation, Mackay Women's Centre Inc. and together they operate under the umbrella of Mackay Women's Services. We are an incorporated association with a Board of Management and community members. The service is based in Mackay and serves the region from St. Lawrence, in the South, to the Whitsundays, in the North, and West to the Isaac mining hinterland communities.

The service provides domestic and family violence counselling, crisis response, risk assessment, safety planning, case management, court assistance, information and referral, community liaison and education, and awareness-raising campaigns across the region. DVRS, in addition, offers a Sexual Assault Service for adolescent girls and women and operates two separate Men's Behaviour change programs, one in Isaac and the other in the Whitsundays. All work undertaken by the service is based on a gendered analysis of domestic and family violence.

About the role

The Counsellor role undertakes key tasks at the direction of the Practice Manager and works collaboratively as part of the Practice Team to deliver supports aligned to the strategic direction of, and consistent with the values of Mackay Women's Services.
The primary responsibility of this position is to provide a range of specialist therapeutic counselling and case management, risk management and safety planning interventions with women who have been affected by domestic and family violence, and sexual assault. The position is also responsible for working in partnership with all internal teams and appropriate external agencies to coordinate and ensure high quality and timely service responses to women affected by domestic and family violence and sexual assault.

Key duties will include:

• Respond effectively to the immediate safety, risk, assessment and triage needs of clients accessing intake services including conducting needs assessment, provision of information, advice, and referrals to other supports.
• Provide therapeutic case management supports to women impacted by sexual assault, and women experiencing domestic and family violence.
• Coordinate and develop case plans in collaboration with the client, and where appropriate, with the input of key community members and other service providers.
• Provide a range of assessment, crisis intervention, short and long-term therapeutic approaches combined with practical supports and psychoeducation services to women presenting with multiple and/or complex needs relating to sexual assault and/or domestic and family violence.
• Facilitation and/or co-facilitation of evidence based, therapeutic group supports including supporting the development of group-based support programs.
• Develop and maintain strong stakeholder relationships, including a good understanding of local supports and referral pathways.
• Provision of Court Support services as part of a rotational roster to provide information, assistance, and court advocacy to women experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic and/or family violence.
• Undertake administrative duties associated with direct service delivery and data collection requirements.
• Contribute to review, assessment and evaluation of service delivery and support a shared understanding and promotion of best practice.
• Contribute to the development of long-term planning and priorities for Mackay Women's Services.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Desirable - 2-3 years of proven experience in couseling and case management
• Degree qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Social Sciences or a related discipline -or- Diploma of Counselling
• Applied knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations (Domestic and family violence protection Act 2012)
• Drivers, Blue Card, Nation Police Cert – Must be held prior to commencement date

Benefits of working for MCW:

• Permanent Full time Position
• An attractive remuneration package, including salary sacrifice packaging, up to $15,900 per year tax-free.
• Dynamic, passionate and purposeful environment

How to apply

Your application must include a response document (suitability statement) that does not exceed 1 page reflecting the Key Selection Criteria and a current resume.

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at