Switchboard Victoria is based on the lands of the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples.

We acknowledge that our work takes place on lands that are under colonial occupation and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We hope to pay our deepest respects to Boon Wurrung elders, past and present, and wish to extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across this Country we know as Australia.

About Switchboard Victoria (Inc.)

Switchboard Victoria is a community-based, not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer driven support services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) people and their friends, families and allies.

Our current activities include:

• Phone and web counselling and referral – Switchboard is the Victorian partner in the national QLife service. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships.
• Community connections for older LGBTI people – Switchboard’s Pride in Ageing program works to tackle ageism and strengthen social inclusion and community connection for older LGBTI+* Victorians. The Out and About peer visiting program builds friendship and connection between LGBTI+ seniors living anywhere in Victoria and through regular volunteer visits.
• Rainbow Door - is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.
• Suicide prevention - research and development of suicide prevention resources and programs for LGBTIQA+ communities.
• QTIBPoC Programs - The QTIBPoC programs aim to build greater equity for Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k, Indigenous and/or People of Colour and People of Faith. In consultation with key stakeholders, Switchboard’s QTIBPoC Programs will build internal capacity to meet QTIBPoC community needs and extend into targeted services.
• Training Program – Switchboard delivers a range of training to the community and service sector organisations. Trainings offerings include LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice, How to Recognise and Respond to F/IPV, How to Talk About Suicide Safely, Everyday Racism in the Workplace and Peer Support Training. Staff are accredited to deliver LivingWorks programs ASIST and safeTALK.
• Rainbow Families - Connecting and supporting LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and their families. Supporting services to develop and deliver rainbow family-inclusive better practice across Victoria​.

For more information about Switchboard’s current activities visit: www.switchboard.org.au.

Position Details

Title: Out and About Program Worker

Organisation: Switchboard Victoria (Inc)

Employment Type: 1.0 FTE, 38 hours per week (12 months with possibility to extend)

Classification/Remuneration: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award 2010 Community Services Employee Level 5.1

Plus, Superannuation 11.5%

Plus, tax benefit from salary sacrifice package of up to $15,899

Location: Victorian Pride Centre, 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC 3182 

Other offices of Switchboard Victoria in Melbourne’s inner north 

Switchboard has a hybrid work policy; some remote work is permitted. 

Applicants must: 

• reside in Melbourne 
• reside in greater Victoria and be willing to commute to Melbourne on workdays, or 
• be willing to relocate to Melbourne on successful appointment. 

Reports to: Pride in Ageing Manager

Direct reports: None

About Out and About  

Out and About is part of Switchboard Victoria’s older person’s Pride in Ageing program. We aim to reduce social isolation, tackle ageism and work with communities to build long-term improvement and change for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/gender diverse and intersex (LGBTI+)* Victorians. Out and About is a free service connecting older LGBTI+ Victorians with community by matching friendly LGBTI+ visitors with older people living at home or in residential aged care for regular one-on-one visits. Visits involve social activities such as talking, going for a walk, sharing life stories, watching TV, or attending events. This program sits alongside policy and advocacy work and the Pride in Ageing Rural/Regional Pilot and is funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments.

*At Switchboard, when working with older people, we use the acronym LGBTI+ in response to feedback we have had from older LGBTIQA+ people that for some the term “queer” is offensive due to the historical use of this word being used in an abusive and insulting manner. Our use of this acronym encompasses all LGBTIQA+ identities, and no-one is out of scope.

Position overview

The Out and About Program Worker is responsible for the day-to-day tasks of running the Out and About Program, including both the management of volunteers and engagement with program participants (socially isolated LGBTI+ seniors). The Out and About Program Worker oversees the volunteer recruitment process, from managing expression of interests, orientation and induction sessions, reviewing reference checks and data maintenance, to matching volunteers with program participants. Similarly, the Out and About Program Worker completes intake of new program participants and attends an initial in person assessment session. At times, the Out and About Program Worker may collaborate with a volunteer to support referral of a program participant into additional services.

Core to this program is consistent and clear communication with volunteers and participants. The Out and About Program Worker may complete tasks such as writing newsletter updates and contributing to organisation wide volunteer activities. The Out and About Program Worker supports program outreach and community engagement by attending events to promote the program. There will be occasional work outside of regular office hours and travel across Victoria to meet with service users and volunteers and attend events.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Practice approach – work within intersectional feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive organisational guidelines and person-centred practice frameworks. Work in a professional manner following the organisational Code of Conduct including respecting the diversity of staff teams, stakeholders and service users and upholding the values of Switchboard. Actively participate in internal supervision and ongoing professional development. Undertake occasional work outside of regular office hours and travel across Victoria safely and in accordance with organisational OHS requirements to meet with service users and volunteers and attend events.
• Service delivery – work with the Pride in Aging and Out and About team to run the visiting program. Tasks include intake of new participants, waiting list maintenance, matching and home risk assessment visits, recording client interactions in line with privacy and confidentiality processes, and maintaining participant information in Better Impact client management system. Support socially isolated older LGBTI+ program participants to attend events and provide assertive outreach at Switchboard and external events as capacity allows.
• Volunteer recruitment, induction and support – work with the Pride in Aging and Out and About team to recruit, induct and support volunteers. Tasks include induction and screening checks, maintenance of volunteer information using the Better Impact volunteer management system, attendance at community events, development and distribution of promotional information, maintenance of volunteer waiting list and organising volunteer training and professional development sessions.
• Quality assurance – participate in planning, program reviews, policy and practice development as required to improve program development/outcomes. Work with the team to ensure the program operates in accordance with current legislation, guidelines, and organisational policies. Tasks include identifying risk and resolving/escalating issues as they arise, complying with Switchboard policies and procedures, practice manuals, service agreements and other relevant agency or legislative obligations, and contributing to a positive organisational culture and positively promote the organisation. Work with other Switchboard colleagues to ensure the program is striving to be culturally safe and is delivered through an anti-racist lens.
• Communication – work with the team to communicate with stakeholders, Switchboard staff, and Out and About volunteers and participants. Tasks may include attendance at community and aged care sector events, development and distribution of promotional information and newsletters, OHS/COVID updates, coordinate regular volunteer and participant newsletters, review service’s web content and other correspondence as needed.
• Reporting and evaluation – contribute to Out and About reporting (financial, government, Board etc) and evaluation. Work collaboratively with the Pride in Ageing Program team and program evaluators to implement evaluation tasks with the aim of maintaining high quality data collection and service improvement.
• Administration – this role will complete program administration as required. Tasks include filing and related administration, updating client/volunteer information in the Better Impact information management system, and any other program administration as required.

Key selection criteria

Essential

1. Applicant must identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, Intersex, asexual (LGBTIQA+) [Switchboard Victoria has an exemption under the Equal Employment].
2. An understanding of the complex issues faced by socially isolated older members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, Intersex, asexual, (LGBTIQA+) communities.
3. Demonstrated experience working to support people with disability or care needs, or experience working in volunteer management.
4. Commitment to taking an antiracist and intersectional approach to every aspect of your work, including cultural awareness and competence in service provision with multicultural and/or multifaith and First Nations communities.
5. Highly developed interpersonal and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of ages, professional and cultural backgrounds.
6. Demonstrated experience working in information or client data management systems, including compliance with privacy legislation, confidentiality requirements and commitment to discretion in working with client and volunteer personal information.
7. Strong organisational skills, ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines, problem solve and achieve program objectives with limited supervision.
8. A current Australian drivers’ license (or equivalent).
9. Current Victoria Police Check (or willingness to undergo this prior to commencement).
10. Access to a car that you are willing to use for local and regional travel, with third party insurance and roadside assist.

Highly Desirable

1. Experience working with older people with dementia, cognitive impairment, complex mental health challenges and significant trauma background.
2. Experience working in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities.

To find out more and apply

Please carefully review the selection criteria for this position, which you should systematically address in your application (this does not have to be in a separate document), which should also include your resume listing all relevant employment and volunteer experience and qualifications, and a cover letter.

Please note that applications that do not address the key selection criteria will not be considered.

Contact

For more information, please contact Meredith Butler, Pride in Ageing Program Manager.

Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Out and About Program Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applications close: 10am on the closing date.

Switchboard Victoria is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and will consider all qualified applicants, regardless of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability or national origin.  Switchboard especially welcomes and encourages applications from people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; trans, gender diverse or intersex; disabled; carers; live with HIV, are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), People of Colour and/or People of Faith; identify with having lived experiences of suicide and mental ill-health.

Find out more about working at Switchboard at http://www.switchboard.org.au/