Qualifications and background experience

• Tertiary qualifications in psychology, counselling, social work, family therapy or other related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in providing counselling, referral and support to young people and their families.
• Professional registration with a recognised industry body, such as PACFA (The psychotherapy and Counsellors Association of Australia), ACA (Australian Counselling Association) or ARCAP (the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists).
• Demonstrated continuing professional development / attainment of professional development points to keep current with industry skills and knowledge
• Previous experience managing a large and complex caseload
• Accredited supervisor or willingness to obtain with MYST financial support.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of the barriers and issues faced by vulnerable young people.
• Well-developed time management, communication, interpersonal liaison and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of legislative requirements dealing with young people.
• High level written and oral communication skills.
• Highly developed interpersonal, conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Proven capacity to establish working relationships with a wide range of services and professionals.
• Ability to provide high quality counselling and client support to young people and families, and to provide short to medium-term counselling to young people to ensure referral and supports are sustainable and appropriate.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy under legislative requirements.
• Ability to keep up-to-date, clear and concise records, maintain high quality case files, and write reports to meet government funding requirements and as required on program and service outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as an effective team player with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Competent computer skills (Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, email/internet, database).