POSITION DESCRIPTION Womensline Crisis Intervention Counsellor

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1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Womensline Crisis Intervention Counsellor Location: Salary: Term of appointment: Shifts: Inner Suburbs of Brisbane (close to CBD) Level 4 - The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHCADS Modern Award) Level 4 Pay Rates commencing at $33.99 per hour (+ shift penalties and casual loading when applicable). Permanent Part Time (Temporary to June 2019) & Casual Positions available We run 3 shifts per day (7 days per week):- Day Shifts - variable start and finish times from 6.00am to 8.00pm Afternoon/Evening Shifts 3.00pm to 11.00pm Overnight Shift 9.00pm 6.00am Closing Date for applications: Apply as soon as possible DVConnect commenced operation in 2002 following a successful tender to the Queensland Department of Communities, who provide core operational costs for our service delivery. The service is an independent not-for-profit community agency overseen by a Board of Directors, with no external affiliation. We provide frontline crisis response support services to women, men and families across Queensland. The service comprises five phone lines: DVConnect Womensline (24hrs -ph ) DVConnect Serviceline (24hrs - ph ) DVConnect Mensline (9am midnight 7 days per week - ph ) DVConnect Sexual Assault line (7.30am 11.30pm 7 days per week -ph ) DVConnect Specialist Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (24hrs ph ) In addition to these 5 telephone services, DVConnect operates several innovative projects including: Pets in Crisis Domestic Violence Program in partnership with RSPCA Qld, Mensline Court Support Program providing court assistance to men Vision A Queensland free from Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Mission To enable the seamless passage from violence to safety 1

2 Values The right of all people to live free from violence and abuse. The health and safety of staff and clients. Planning and decision making that reflects justice, equity, integrity and collaboration. The diverse needs of marginalised and disadvantaged groups. Responsiveness, adaptability, innovation, creativity and an openness to change when attempting to address the needs of those affected by domestic and family violence. Objectives To end violence perpetrated against women, children and men ( the victims of violence ). To provide a State-wide telephone service responsive to the assistance required by the victims of violence. To provide crisis telephone counselling services including but not limited to sexual assault, homelessness and outreach services. To promote best practice in the provision of service and support responsive to the victims of violence To provide leadership, education and training in the domestic and family violence sector that is informed by community direction, research and cultural appropriateness. To assist the victims of violence pursuant to the above objects from the perspective of the gendered nature of domestic and family violence. To co-operate and take an active interest in the securing of rational legislation and the formation of proper rules and regulations governing prevention and reduction of violence in the community, and To do all such other things incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects of the Company or any of them. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION The position of Womensline Crisis Intervention Counsellor is the primary point of contact for the majority of callers to the DVConnect Crisis Service. The Telephone Crisis Counsellor is to contribute to the delivery of domestic violence support services to Queensland women through the provision of arranging safe accommodation, providing assistance in crisis, information and referral, support and crisis counselling and advocacy when required. A typical call to the Womensline will be a woman seeking information and support in relation to domestic and family violence including the provision of safety planning and crisis counselling. DVConnect is the statewide referral gateway into safe emergency accommodation including women s refuge, crisis accommodation and other places of safety. 2

3 The Womensline Crisis Intervention Counsellor is responsible for making a professional assessment of the needs of callers and taking all reasonable action to meet these needs within the operating framework and principles of the organisation. REPORTING RELATIONSHIP The Womensline Crisis Intervention Counsellor reports to their on-shift Team Leader MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES Receive incoming telephone crisis calls from women experiencing domestic and/or family violence and make a professional and culturally sensitive assessment of the caller s needs. Take appropriate action based on this assessment, including: - Provision of non-judgemental crisis support counselling; - Providing relevant and accurate information and referral to callers; - Discussing with callers ways to ensure her and her children s safety while living in or escaping an abusive relationship; - Coordination of a safe placement in a woman s refuge or other shelter, including arranging transport and emergency accommodation. Receive incoming calls and referrals from relevant service providers and maintain collaborative working relationships with these providers. Actively participate in on-shift and individual supervision sessions, professional development opportunities and team processes, with minimum attendance of 80%. Operate effectively and harmoniously as a member of the DVConnect team, including providing peer support and assisting colleagues with implementing aspects of intervention plans and support continuous improvement in service delivery Maintain data for internal information management systems including recording of statistical data, recording client case notes, client expenditure and maintaining current refuge vacancy information. SELECTION CRITERIA Tertiary qualifications in community/social service profession or other similar qualification(s) or experience in the field of domestic, family and/or sexual violence; human rights; social justice; law reform or general advocacy and acceptable to DVConnect. Demonstrated ability in working with women who have experienced domestic and family violence preferably within in a crisis context. 3

4 Demonstrated understanding of feminist practice and how this is used as a framework to understand and respond to the gendered nature of violence against women and children. Well-developed oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of cultural and social groups. Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively including task prioritisation and attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced and high demand work environment, maintain composure and effective engagement with clients in crisis. Knowledge or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of services within the domestic violence sector, including services that provide legal assistance, housing options and domestic violence support throughout Queensland. Demonstrated ability to work independently, however with highly developed team work skills Sound IT skills and experience working with a variety of databases. Flexibility with hours can be provided, however the ability to work a variety of shifts day/evening and weekends is desirable All staff employed by DVConnect are required to undergo a Working with Children Check. Desirable Tertiary qualifications in related discipline Experience in working with women, children and men who have experienced sexual violence and within a 24hr/7day a week service Working knowledge of the current domestic and family violence legislation Experience in telephone crisis counselling Personal Behaviours and attributes Commitment to the values of DVConnect Supportive and collaborative team member Integrity Ownership and accountability Resilience Ability to remain calm under pressure 4

5 Additional information DVConnect is an Equal Opportunity employer. All applications will be treated on their merits. Applicants must address the selection criteria in their application. The claims of applicants who fail to do this cannot be appropriately considered. DVConnect is an Equal Opportunity employer. All applications will be treated on their merits. I have read this document and agree to undertake the duties and responsibilities as listed above. I acknowledge that:- This Position Description details the accountabilities of the role and provides an indication of the current duties and task that I may be required to undertake. Additional or other duties may from time to time be allocated in order to fully meet the responsibilities of the role. The measures where included in this document are indicative and will be reviewed with me on an annual basis and that my performance will be assessed against these measures. Employee: Name: Signature: Date: 5