V- Doorways Support Assistant

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.

The Salvation Army Australia is also an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We do this through our commitment to reconciliation together with First Nation people, as well as inclusion of all cultures, languages, abilities, gender expressions and intersex status. Representing our largest workforce type, volunteers have access to many and varied development opportunities, employment pathways and training. For more information, including The Salvation Army's position on Reconciliation, Diversity, and Inclusion, go to:

The Salvation Army 'Doorways' community support model engages people at their point of need in a holistic way that is missional, relational and professional. Doorways provides support to community members through financial and material emergency relief, along with casework to help them to find long-term solutions.

The Doorways Support Assistant works across all community-facing, as well as 'behind the scenes' aspects of the Doorways emergency relief services (excluding interviewing or casework). They are key in providing a warm welcome to community members so they feel safe and accepted, offering refreshments, as well as supporting the issuing of pre-allocated financial assistance cards, material aid and any additional connection as needed.

Key responsibilities

Build rapport

Taking a genuine interest in the community member and their wellbeing, a friendly smile and warm welcome will help community members relax and connect over a cup of tea or coffee.

Program Support

Doorways Support Assistants work across all site-based aspects of support which may include community connections, distribution of pre-allocated financial assistance and material assistance, referral to other services, programs, activities, and spiritual support.

Bringing a good sense of practicality and organisation, Doorways Support Assistants organise material aid items, restock and store food items, administer and distribute emergency relief.

Administration

With a keen eye for accuracy and consistency, the role may require confidential data administration.

Qualifications and skills (desired/required)

Essential for the role is an interest in meeting new people, bringing sensitivity and empathy to all interactions.

Desirable previous experience for the role is customer service or connecting with people in a community support setting.

Confidence with using computers is required for administration tasks.

Capabilities and personal attributes

Manage Self: Shows personal motivation and commitment to completing work activities effectively; regulates own behaviour and responds appropriately in all circumstances; receives and responds to constructive advice.

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 requirementsi

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 managed 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 Working with Children/Vulnerable People Check.

Development opportunities with this role

This role will give volunteers an opportunity to develop customer service skills and build experience in community support. Additionally, there will be access to a range of training opportunities and insight to the work of a large not-for-profit faith-based organisation with expressions in many different areas of society.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child related roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Additionally, certain volunteer roles may require a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.