careers

Position Title: Counsellor/ Social Worker with WORTH (Womens Outreach Trauma Health service)

Service of:  Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Inc.

Award: SCHADS 

Grade: Level Entry 5: pay point to be negotiated depending on qualifications and experience. 

Entitlements: NORWACS offers salary sacrifice to permanent employees.

Hours: Up to 28 hours on a 3-year fixed term (Expiring 30 June 2025).  

Responsible to: General Manager and the Clinical Services Project Manager   

Period of appraisal:  Performance will be assessed within 6 months of commencement and 6 month probationary qualifying period will also apply.

Essential Requirements:

NORWACS considers that being female is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). 

Valid unrestricted drivers licence for use in NSW/Australia. 

Valid Working with Children Check and Criminal History Check

Being vaccinated against Covid 19 as per the Public Health (Covid 19 Vaccination of Health Care Workers) Order 2022. 

OUR VISION 

Women in the Northern Rivers community are strong, well, safe and empowered to thrive. 

OUR VALUES 

1. Respect     2. Courage    3. Integrity     4. Kindness 

Purpose of Position

Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Inc. (NORWACS) is focused on providing trauma informed, affordable services that are sensitive to the needs of women with complex health issues or recovering from violence. The Womens Outreach Trauma Health service (WORTH) is an initiative by NORWACS in response to devasting consequences for women following the natural disasters of 2022. NORWACS understands that vulnerable women experienced a compounding of trauma impacts, whereby pre-existing vulnerabilities associated with violence, abuse and adverse physical health were exacerbated. The additional barriers which occurred meant that women were no longer able to access emotional, psychological or physical health services to ensure and maintain wellbeing. 

As such, NORWACS has established an outreach model of trauma treatment designed to meet the wholistic health needs of women. The outreach model of treatment will aim to address this through the provision of psychosocial services such as counselling and social work, and the provision of a Women’s Health Nurse to service the unique physical health needs of women. This multi-disciplinary team will provide services to a variety of locally identified hubs, ensuring that women’s health and wellbeing needs continue to be serviced whilst acknowledging and meeting the changing nature treatment needs for women post natural disaster. The specialist clinical team will practice from a trauma informed framework acknowledging and addressing the trauma associated with violence and abuse against women, and facilitate services for women who are disproportionately affected by the natural disaster across the Northern Rivers Region.  

Selection Criteria

Essential 

1. A bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, counselling and/ or associate diploma level qualification with substantial experience in the relevant service stream. 
2. Demonstrated knowledge and application of contemporary theory, practice and best practice guidelines relating to complex trauma and sound understanding of and commitment to intersectional feminist practice.
3. Demonstrated understanding and/or experience working with women impacted by domestic and family violence, sexual assault, and the impacts of natural disasters on the wellbeing of women. Capability to identify and respond to safety concerns, particularly those related to child protection.
4. Demonstrated cultural competency in engagement practices with First Nations Australians. 
5. Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and engage in collaboration regarding service planning and design. 
6. Effective communication both written and verbal, interpersonal skills and ability to identify key messages, issues and concerns when communicating with others. This is inclusive of the ability to document accurate data and maintain client file notes. 
7. Knowledge of local service provision with the ability to form networks and partnerships. 
8. Willingness to work outside of core business hours and weekends as the need arises to provide service provision and attend community events. 

For more information please email: to request additional information or phone us on 6621 9800

Applications close Wednesday, 8 February 2023 at 5pm.