Crisis Support Worker

**About the Role** Community Services covers a range of programs that support vulnerable people in ways that meet their individual needs through food, clothing, accommodation, and material aid. The aim of crisis support is to support vulnerable people i.e. experiencing financial hardship who also have complex situations including people with diagnosed and or undiagnosed health conditions, the aged and people from diverse backgrounds to be supported by immediate material aid as well as information and referral pathways to support the crisis that they are experiencing. While the position does not case manage, clients can come from time to time to seek support. **About You** The Crisis Support Worker will support service delivery, support crisis support in Gungahlin and provide direct support to clients accessing crisis support in conjunction with the Crisis Support Coordinator. You will support the Senior Manager Community Services in the monitoring, reporting and improvement of crisis support and client experiences within the division. The position works closely and collaboratively with Community Pantry Coordinators and the wider Community Services team. This position provides the opportunity to significantly improve the lives of vulnerable people in our community. **Duties** - Deliver crisis support services including the handing out of material aid, referral and information guidance within guidelines and discretion. - Respond to enquiries from the community. - Research possible avenues for challenges clients are facing. - Increase and maintain currency of information available to clients. - Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, Standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe and healthy environment is maintained. - Provide support to other parts of Community Services as directed, including the Community Pantry. **Selection Criteria** **Essential** - Experience working with vulnerable people in a crisis or support community setting. - You are a problem solver and contribute to outcomes in a customer service/client centred environment. - You display warmth and empathy and are comfortable working with and respectful of vulnerable people. - You are aware of community supports and have the ability to research and out of the box thinking in a timely way to reflect the immediate need of clients. - You can respond appropriately to challenges are they are presented to you. - Ability to grow and maintain relationships with stakeholders both internally and externally. Well-developed communication skills that can be adapted to support different communication styles and levels of capacity including case notes, phone, and face to face interactions. - Excellent administrative skills - database management, Microsoft Office, and time management. - Maintain current "Working with Vulnerable People" registration. - Current drivers' licence **Desirable** - Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or experience in areas linked to community and vulnerable people. - Experience working with volunteers. **This position is a Maternity Leave Cover for 12 months - Part Time on Fixed Term basis.** **Benefits** - Make a difference and change lives in the Canberra community as part of Canberra's largest community organisation - Join an inclusive and friendly workplace, where people are at the heart of everything. - Increase your take-home pay Because Communities at Work has charity status, you may be able to salary package and increase your take home pay by thousands of dollars per year. - Flexibility when you need it with options for study leave, leave concessions, paid parental leave, and more. - Enjoy healthy living with our active lifestyle & healthy activity programs and reimbursements (including remedial massages, annual flu vaccination and more). - Receive guidance and support for mental health through our Employee Assistance Program. - Employee childcare discounts **About Communities at Work** Communities at Work is Canberra's largest not-for-profit community organisation and the largest provider of early education and care services in the region. Our surplus-for-purpose philosophy enables us to invest every dollar we earn right back into the local community. Our focus is on enriching lives today and shaping better futures tomorrow. We are the three-time winner of the "Large Employer of the Year" award at the ACT Training Awards (2019, 2020 and 2021) which demonstrates our commitment to excellence in training, professional development, and career progression of our people. With over 40 years of experience in the ACT and Capital Region, our people help us deliver a wide range of high-quality education and community services that support positive educational outcomes, assist in alleviating hardship, enhance the quality of life and lead to positive social change in the Canberra community.