V- (Prisons) Pastoral Care Team Member (Maryborough Prison)

ABOUT US

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia's largest and most-loved charities. We believe in doing good that transforms lives and futures for the better. It is this belief which drives us to find new ways and places where we can make a difference. From times of personal crisis to moments of national grief, we are always here — providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus. We share the love of Jesus by:

- Caring for people
- Building healthy communities
- Creating faith pathways
- Working for justice

The Salvation Army is one of Australia’s largest and most-loved charities, helping Australians find hope amid personal hardship. On average, The Salvation Army helps a person through our network of services and programs across Australia every 17 seconds.

Volunteer with the Salvos
It takes an army of volunteers to provide and enable practical care for Australians every year. Volunteers bring life to our values of integrity, compassion, respect, diversity and collaboration.

We are always looking for individuals to bring fresh energy and ideas to a range of volunteer roles. Whatever your skillset, availability or areas of interest, you may surprise yourself with the different ways you can make a difference.

Volunteering is an invitation to demonstrate care for others in our local communities; it is the everyday embodiment of love in action. Those who give up their time so freely are some of the greatest contributors and advocates of Salvation Army mission and vision. It is through working alongside one another that transformation is possible. Not only do we focus on the transformative experience of service recipients and local communities, but also of our volunteers.

The Salvation Army is a Child Safe Organisation and takes this commitment very seriously. Therefore, all child-facing volunteer roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Other roles may require a police check.

Working within the Corps’ Pastoral Care team, the Pastoral Care Team Member provides practical, emotional and spiritual support to people who are in need of a caring listening ear. Under the guidance of the Pastoral Team Leader (or Corps Officer/Ministry Leader), they undertake assessment, administration, and group facilitation (general education and group therapy) for general and corps community members. This role also supports administrative duties related to program and corps activities.

Key responsibilities
- Pastoral Support: With the guidance of the Pastoral Team Leader or Corps Officer/Ministry Leader, provide pastoral support to individuals identified as needing spiritual and practical assistance, always being a trusted and reliable presence.
- Referrals: Maintain up-to-date information on local support services within TSA and externally, refer individuals to appropriate specialist services and programs, whilst also being mindful of not taking on the role of case worker.
- Support corps spiritual life: Work closely with the Corps Officer/Ministry Leader on people’s faith journey and personal growth, as well as the life of the Corps more generally with input to programs and initiatives.
- Administration: Bringing a strong attention to detail, assist with administrative tasks including secure confidential recording of case notes and record keeping.

Qualifications and skills (desired/required)
- Counselling qualification and relevant experience
- Completed or currently undertaking chaplaincy qualifications or similar
- Experience facilitating groups of people experiencing vulnerability
- Experience in recording case notes
- Competent using Microsoft programs such as Word and Excel
- Accurate data entry capability and confidence using databases
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build rapport and demonstrate empathy
- Experience and willingness to work independently at times, as well as part of a team
- Effective planning, coordination, organisational and communication skills, including good digital literacy to use Salvation Army online systems
- Attends worship on a regular basis, or linked to community through ministry

Capabilities and personal attributes

Demonstrate Spiritual Maturity: Recognises and uses spiritual gifts and abilities; displays trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness in both ordinary and stressful circumstances.
Act Ethically and with Integrity: Is reliable and trustworthy; sets an example for others to follow and identify and explain ethical issues.
Show Respect: Recognises and respects differences in culture, style and viewpoint; promotes inclusive and culturally appropriate practices.
Display Resilience: Keeps control of own emotions and remains calm in the face of challenging situations.
Communicate Effectively: Creates opportunities for others to contribute to discussion and debate; causes understanding in others by