Counsellor, Safety and Wellbeing

Join a university that’s transforming tomorrow, today
- Part-time 50%, continuing role (permanent)
- Australian coastal lifestyle on the Gold Coast

**About** us**:
Southern Cross University is a dynamic, ambitious institution focused on its purpose of changing lives through revolutionary learning and research with real impact. Our game changing Southern Cross Model brings a deeper learning experience, improving individual student outcomes, quality of life and a better way to learn. Our world-ranked research is driving positive impact for our communities, environment and economy.

Working at Southern Cross University combines a rare combination of being surrounded by ambitious students, dedicated colleagues and an environment of stunning natural beauty. We are leaders in our communities in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast and pride ourselves on helping shape a better tomorrow.

**About the opportunity**:
Southern Cross University’s Student Support and Success unit is seeking a Counsellor, Safety and Wellbeing. In this role you will lead new initiatives and current programs within the areas aimed at influencing the student engagement and retention objectives of the University’s students.

Your core responsibilities will include:

- **Comprehensive Counselling & Support Services**: Provide short to medium term counselling, crisis support, risk assessment, and referrals to students, addressing academic, administrative, and personal challenges with professionalism and care.
- **Collaborative Case Management**: Maintain accurate records, respond to student critical incidents, and offer secondary consultation services to academic staff and external agencies, ensuring student safety and wellbeing.
- **Proactive Mental Health Programs**: Develop and deliver workshops, resources, and events that enhance student mental health, resilience and wellbeing, integrating these initiatives into the student experience.
- **Health Promotion and Community Engagement**: Support the university with health focused activities like Mental Health Week and collaborate with internal and external organisations to promote student safety and wellbeing.
- **Continuous Improvement and Research**: Stay up to date with sector developments, contributing to data collection, outcome assessments, and recommending improvements to resources, programs, and services based on student needs.

**About you**:
You will be a resilient and flexible individual, committed to enhancing student experience, wellbeing and safety through best practice and evidence-based services including counselling and group programs. More specifically, you will have:

- Tertiary qualifications in counselling or psychology with substantial experience in individual, group, and crisis counselling within a higher education environment
- Full registration as a Psychologist or Social Worker with AHPRA or Australian Association of Social Workers
- In-depth knowledge of safety, support, and wellbeing challenges affecting domestic and international students or transferable critical and complex support experience
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to respond effectively to distressing situations and engage all levels of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
- Proven experience providing you the ability to design and present group intervention programs to support student wellbeing
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, uphold ethical practices, manage clinical / WHS records, collect data, and prepare accurate reports, with a commitment to cultural diversity and equity principles.

**Salary and benefits**:
Our staff benefit from flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work models, generous parental and carer’s leave provisions, wellbeing initiatives, employee assistance programs and professional learning opportunities. This position is:

- Part-time 50%, continuing (permanent)
- Located at, Gold Coast, QLD 4225
- HEW 7. The base salary ranges from $104,697 - $113,681 per annum, plus 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation. The total remuneration package is up to $133,006 (pro-rata)

Find out more about working at SCU by visiting Why Work at SCU.

**Application requirements**:
Job applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or currently hold a visa with ongoing work rights in Australia. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

**Further information**:
**Closing Date: 11.30pm AEDT, 11 December 2024**
- Southern Cross University is committed to ensuring that the University reflects the rich diversity across the region in which the University’s campuses are located. _

**Together, we are Transforming Tomorrow.**: