V-doorways Support Assistant

Start your mission volunteer experience with The Salvation Army today

We are looking for compassionate people who share our mission and values, if you have the passion and drive to commit yourself to a challenging and rewarding role; we invite you to review our current vacancies.

ABOUT US

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia’s largest and most-loved charities, helping thousands of Australians every year find hope in the midst of all kinds of personal hardship. The Salvation Army offers the opportunity to use your skills and expertise to make a real difference in the lives of people who need help most.

The Salvation Army ‘Doorways’ community support model engages people at their point of need in a holistic way that is missional, relational and professional. We provide support for those that need it most through financial and material emergency relief and casework which helps them to find long-term solutions.

The Doorways Support Assistant will be the first person a community member meets when they walk through the door. A smile and tidy area welcomes a community members into a place where they feel safe and accepted. Doorways Support Assistants act in all aspects of material aid emergency relief, offering refreshments, helping with the food pantry and also with the process of providing connection and support.
- Key tasks and responsibilities
- Doorways Support Assistants work across all site-based aspects of support which may include community connection, distribution of pre-allocated financial assistance, referral to other services, programs, activities and spiritual support.
- A friendly smile and warm welcome will help community members relax and connect over a cup of tea or coffee, as the Doorways Support Assistant takes a genuine interest in the person and their wellbeing.
- Volunteers in this role bring a good sense of practicality and organisation by assisting with receiving material aid items, restocking and food storage, administration of emergency relief vouchers and supporting the distribution of material assistance.
- Qualifications and skills (desired/required)
- Your confidence and interest in meeting new people is essential for this role
- Previous experience connecting with community members in a social setting or in customer service is desirable
- Confidence with using computers may be required for administration tasks
- Capabilities and personal attributes

Manage Self: Shows personal motivation and commitment to completing work; manages own behaviour well and responds appropriately in all circumstances.

Communicates Effectively: Allows others time to speak; listens when they are speaking and asks appropriate, respectful questions; is aware of own non-verbal cues; focuses on key points and uses simple words to build mutual understanding.

Work Collaboratively: Works as a supportive and cooperative team member, shares information and acknowledges the contribution and support of others.
- Background check requirements*

Background checks play an important part in our commitment to being a safe organisation. Where an applicant has disclosable history, the selection process includes a fair assessment and a risk management approach. Collection of personal information is handled per our privacy and confidentiality policies. Below is what is required for this role:

- As this role has access to personal details, sensitive information, financial and material assets, it will require a Police Check and a Working With Children/Vulnerable People Check.
- Training Requirements

One of the many ways we care for people is by ensuring our workers are well equipped with the necessary knowledge to complete their roles safely. To successfully undertake this role, the following training is required**
- Introduction to The Salvation Army, code of conduct training, work-safe and child-safe practices.
- Volunteer site and role induction including Introduction to the Doorways Model of Care and other role specific learning such as dealing with difficult people, confidentiality and SAMiS database training.
- Work Health and Safety (WHS) considerations

We take Work Health Safety and well-being seriously and want to ensure volunteers are fully informed and aware of safety considerations. For this role, key considerations include:

- Handling heavy items will require volunteers to understand correct manual handling techniques, wear closed toe, sturdy shoes and to use lifting aids such as trolleys
- As this role may interact with stressed community members, completion of specific training will be required before commencement of role
- This role requires evidence of appropriate COVID vaccination

Other WHS considerations will be covered during the induction
- Development opportunities with this role

This role will give volunteers an opportunity to develop skills and build experience in Additionally, there will be access to a range of training opportunities and insight to the work