Counsellor (Sexual Assault)

Please note - This is an active recruitment campaign and applications are being reviewed and shortlisted for interview as they are received. This means that the advertisement may be withdrawn prior to the end date.

Our Family Violence, Homelessness and Therapeutic Services program is excited to have a very rare opportunity to join our high performing and dedicated team. We are seeking a dedicated, passionate and experienced Counsellor who can bring their specialist knowledge and expertise to our Specialist Sexual Assault counsellor role.

This newly created role will join our multi-disciplinary team that includes Counsellors, Specialist Family Violence Practitioners and Homelessness Practitioners to provide high quality, collaborative, trauma informed, specialised counselling and therapeutic support to victim survivors of sexual assault and family violence to support their journey toward healing and recovery.

This newly created role will join our multi-disciplinary team that includes Counsellors, Specialist Family Violence Practitioners and Homelessness Practitioners to provide high quality, collaborative, trauma informed, specialised counselling and therapeutic support to victim survivors of sexual assault and family violence to support their journey toward healing and recovery.

Are you an experienced Counsellor who is passionate about providing high level support to victims of sexual assault to empower and provide a space for healing that is safe, inclusive and trauma informed? If you said 'yes', then look no further because this is the perfect role for you

At Windermere, Our Family Violence, Homelessness and Therapeutic Services program is excited to have a very rare opportunity to join our high performing and dedicated team. We are seeking an experienced, dedicated and passionate Sexual Assault Counsellor.

As a Counsellor you will be responsible for the provision of specialist trauma-informed counselling and therapeutic support to victim survivors of sexual assault and family violence to support their journey toward healing and recovery.

This role is a full-time opportunity (fixed term until 30/06/27), and as part of Windermere flexible ways of working a 9-day fortnight can be applied. This really is a truly rewarding opportunity for someone with a professional background in working within sexual assault and family violence services, or with vulnerable adults and children that have experienced trauma.

Why work at Windermere?

We are committed to outcome-focused care for children, families and individuals and to making a positive difference in the community. As well as tailored support services for individuals and families, Windermere provides a varied scope of services to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Windermere offers a culture of flexibility, support and wellbeing.

Staff Benefits
- this is where we stand out from the crowd Windermere offers staff a wide range of unique benefits beyond the salary.

• Flexible Ways of Working – combination of office with occasional ability to work from home

• Above Award Personal Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading

• Gifted days off (between Christmas and New Year)

• Employee Referral Program - $500 per referral

• Flexible Leave Scheme (50/52, 51/52)

• Salary packaging (up to $15,900 per year + additional $2,650 meals and entertainment)

• Structured performance and 1-on-1 development check-ins

• Secondment and career growth opportunities

• Staff discount program for everyday items

• Opportunities for professional development

• Study Leave provisions

• Rostered Days Off

• 9 Day Fortnight

• 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave, in addition to Government Funded Parental Leave Pay (PLP)

Windermere care about staff and strive for continuous improvement, which is why we regularly ask our staff and consumers about what we can do better. In our staff survey from November 2024, 87% of respondents said they were "proud to work at Windermere" and 86.3% feel "we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion". Read more here

Now, let's talk about this exciting opportunity

The Counsellor will be responsible of holding a caseload and providing direct counselling and therapeutic support to victims of sexual assault.

This role is full time role fixed term until 30 June Day Fortnight available). It is a truly rewarding opportunity for someone with a professional background in counselling and working with victims of sexual assault.

Provide face to face holistic, clinical assessment and treatment; trauma informed counselling and therapeutic interventions to adults and children who may have experienced sexual assault, family violence and trauma.

*As Windermere is a not-for-profit organisation, employees are able to claim everyday living expenses up to $15,900 against their annual Pre-Tax Salary. Use the salary packaging calculator available here - Salary Packaging Calculator | Accesspay - )

Key Selection Criteria

• Bachelor level qualifications or above in Psychology, Counselling or Social Work with proven experience within trauma, family violence and/or sexual assault fields. Qualifications must meet the mandatory minimum qualifications for specialist Family Violence Practitioners (essential as per Recommendation 209).

• Minimum 2 years experience in counselling, with Specialised sexual assault counselling highly regarded.

• Experience in the delivery of services that aim to break the cycle of violence for adults, children and young people experiencing or recovering from family violence by enhancing coping skills and self-esteem and facilitating the development of non-violent life strategies.

• High level understanding of the impact of sexual assault and family violence and other stressors on children.

• Knowledge and experience using multiple therapeutic frameworks and skills relevant to working with adults, children and young people impacted by sexual assault and Family Violence, with demonstrated ability to undertake therapeutic assessment, treatment planning and delivery of therapeutic interventions.

• Demonstrated assessment skills including the MARAMIS framework and the practical application of FVISS/CISS to inform risk assessment and management and support planning.

• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills. Able to maintain client files and databases. Ability to prepare written reports.

• Planning and organising – excellent time management and organizational skills. Ability to work under pressure.

• Willingness to promote and support practices that are inclusive, culturally responsive, safe and accessible.

• Current Victorian Drivers' Licence

• Willingness to undertake relevant pre-employment screening and checks - including Police Check, Pre-Employment Medical and Working with Children's check

• Right to Work in Australia e.g. Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Visa holder with full working rights

If this job excites you, then click the "Apply" button to view the detailed Position Description and submit your application. Please also ensure you address the Key Selection Criteria in your application letter.

If you require any specific access adjustments or support within the Windermere recruitment, interview or onboarding process please contact our Talent Acquisition Specialist via phone or email

Windermere is committed to creating equitable environments for consumers and employees. We do this by building diverse and inclusive services and work spaces, where all peoples from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, CALD, LGBTIQ+ Communities and those living with disability will know and feel accepted, affirmed, safe and celebrated. Windermere is delivering this through the continued development and implementation of our Welcoming and Inclusion Strategy as we seek to provide a diverse workforce at all levels.