WOMENSLINE – Expressions of Interest

*** EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: WOMENSLINE – VARIOUS ROLES ***

About Womensline

DVConnect Womensline is a state-wide 24/7 service for women and their children (and pets) experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. We work with all women whether they are in relationships, thinking about leaving or have already left. Womensline is staffed by a team of professional Crisis Intervention Counsellors and Counsellor Support Workers who provide the following core services:​

• cisis counselling, risk assessments, safety planning which address the immediate and contingent safety needs of women and their children
• facilitation and coordination of high security domestic violence shelter placements across QLD
• liaising with related services including regional domestic & family violence services, police, child Safety, health services, hospitals, legal services, refugee & migrant organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific services, disability services and more.

**It is a genuine requirement for the following roles to be filled by women, as permitted under sections 25, 104, and 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991.**

Role 1: Crisis Intervention Counsellor

• Part-time or Casual
• SCHADS 4 – 5 + super. NFP salary packaging (optional)
• Brisbane City, QLD (on-site)

Crisis Intervention Counsellors deliver immediate trauma-informed support by answering crisis calls with compassion and a strong understanding of intersectionality and vulnerabilities. They provide psychological first aid to callers presenting in distress, undertaking professional, culturally sensitive, and non-judgmental risk and needs assessments, safety planning, offering practical assistance such as emergency accommodation and transportation, creating appropriate referral pathways, and delivering comprehensive support. The safety of service users is further ensured through the Crisis Intervention Counsellor's quality, timeliness, and accuracy of work (e.g., concise and accurate database entries and case notes and immediate action of inbound and outbound referral requests). **Please note that this a high-volume, phone-based crisis support service.**

Role requirements

• Completed bachelor's degree in social work, human services, behavioural science or other relevant fields acceptable by DV Connect.
• Minimum two (2) years' professional experience within the social and community services sector. Must have experience with risk assessments, safety planning, referrals, safe de-escalation skills, and upholding client confidentiality and privacy. Supporting high-risk clients and/or client intake experience is also required.
• Confident computer and telephone multitasking skills. You must be able to efficiently type case notes during calls and maintain database accuracy (high call volume environment).
  
• Ability to apply relevant practice frameworks used to respond to the gendered nature of violence against women and children.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle high-stress situations calmly and effectively.
• Familiarity with crisis intervention best practices and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals experiencing DFSV.
• Knowledge and understanding (or willingness to acquire) about the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and other relevant legislations.
• Personal and/or professional understanding of the effects causes and dynamics of Domestic, Family & Sexual violence.
• Ability to collaborate and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including both sector and non-sector partners.
• Empathy and cultural awareness when engaging with diverse groups, including working towards supportive and culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• You must be available to attend and successfully complete the initial 4-week training program.
• You must currently hold or be willing to obtain a (P) BlueCard.
• You must be willing to complete a National Crime Check (NCC) facilitated by DV Connect. Employment is subject to NCC outcome.
• Hold a valid photo ID.
• Right to work in Australia.

Highly desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of the intersectional feminist framework.
• Phone-based crisis support.

_______________________________

Role 2: Counsellor Support Worker

• Part-time or Casual
• SCHADS 3 – 4 + super. NFP salary packaging (optional)
• Brisbane City, QLD (on-site)

The Counsellor Support Worker role supports the service users' journey to safety. Counsellor Support Workers are integral members of the Womensline team as they contribute to the delivery of domestic and family violence support to Queensland women by answering calls with compassion and immediately facilitating practical needs allocated. Counsellor Support Workers assist Crisis Intervention Counsellors and the broader team by triaging calls, acting on client-related tasks such as arranging emergency accommodation and travel and assisting with referral pathway procedures. Counsellor Support Workers also contribute to the safety of service users through the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of work (e.g., concise database entries and prompt action to allocated tasks).**Please note that this a high-volume, phone-based crisis support service.**

Role requirements

• More than 2 years' work experience in social and community services sector.
• Confident computer and telephone multitasking skills. You must be able to efficiently type case notes during calls and maintain database accuracy (high call volume environment).
  
• Ability to quickly collate information and maintain database accuracy.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle high-stress situations calmly and effectively.
• Personal and/or professional understanding of the effects causes and dynamics of Domestic, Family & Sexual violence.
• Ability to collaborate and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including both sector and non-sector partners.
• Empathy and cultural awareness when engaging with diverse groups, including working towards supportive and culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• You must be available to attend and successfully complete the initial 3-week training program (1 week full-time classroom based learning + 2 weeks of buddy/shadow shifts) prior to commencing your agreed roster.
• You must currently hold or be willing to obtain a (P) BlueCard.
• You must be willing to complete a National Crime Check (NCC) facilitated by DV Connect. Employment is subject to NCC outcome.
• Hold a valid photo ID.
• Right to work in Australia.

Highly desirable

• Tertiary qualification (or working towards completion) in relevant areas such as social, behavioural, and criminology sciences OR obtained appropriate social and community services certifications.

_______________________________

Why join DVConnect?

• You can choose to salary package up to $15,990 per financial year.
• Annual pay point reviews.
• Receive best-practice clinical supervision, supportive 1:1 catch-ups with your dedicated Team Leader, call coaching and on-shift support.
• Career progression opportunities and professional development resources.
• Access free professional and confidential mental health and wellbeing support through EAP Brisbane.
• Inclusive team environment.
• Regular staff wellness activities.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining the role you are interested in and why you have applied. By submitting an expression of interest, you become part of our talent pool, where you will receive updates on upcoming job openings.

DVConnect is an equal opportunity employer. We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land in which we live and work and, therefore, support their right of self-determination. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employee diversity, such as gender, age, culture, disability (physical or mental health), religion, sexual orientation, etc., is recognised.