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 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. Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family, and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing. 
• Suicide prevention - research and development of suicide prevention resources and programs for LGBTIQA+ communities. 
• QTIBPoC Programs - The QTIBPoC program aims to build connection and greater equity for Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k, Indigenous and/or People of Colour and People of Faith. The program runs free events and workshops throughout the year led by and for QTIBPoC communities.
• 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.

Position details

Title: Rainbow Door Team Leader

Organisation: Switchboard Victoria (Inc)

Employment type: Part Time 0.7 FTE

Classification & remuneration: Social and Community Services Employee, Level 6 Pay Point 1 as per the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010. This includes an addition 11.5% of superannuation and the option of salary packaging.

Location: Hydrid with flexible working arrangements. Office at St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3000

Reports to: Rainbow Door Practice Lead

Direct reports: Rainbow Door Helpline Workers

About Rainbow Door

Rainbow Door is a specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. The service provides support, assessment, short-term case management and referrals to safe services to help address issues including suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), housing, AOD, relationship issues, sexual assault, legal issues, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing.

Rainbow Door operates from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days a week through phone, email, and text services. Rostered shifts are 9:30 am – 5:36 pm.

Position Overview

The Rainbow Door Team Leader supervises and supports the Rainbow Door Helpline staff to provide support, assessment, information, advocacy, and outward referrals to people accessing the service. Team Leaders help to triage contacts that come into the service, provide secondary consultation and debriefing, and 1:1 supervision to Helpline staff.

The Team Leader will have a good understanding of intersectionality and the issues faced by the LGBTIQA+ communities and specifically those living with or impacted by family or relationship violence, mental health concerns, isolation, disability, homelessness and/or suicidality.

The Rainbow Door Team Leader will have strong communication and leadership skills helping to create a positive team culture of respect, passion and ongoing learning. They will work collaboratively with other Team Leaders, the Rainbow Door Manager and their peers across Switchboard.

Responsibilities and Duties

All Switchboard employees

• Deliver against agreed goals, strategies and operational outcomes consistent with Switchboard’s vision, strategic plan, organisational work plan and relevant partner and funding agreements
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training, including
• Completion of suicide prevention training every two years
• Aboriginal cultural sensitivity training
• Anti-racist training

Leadership

• Actively support the development of a positive team culture of respect, passion and ongoing learning.
• Role model professional, supportive and respectful behaviour to all team members and stakeholders, maintaining a safe and cohesive environment.
• Adhere to, implement and ensure Helpline staff understand and implement, Switchboard’s policies and procedures, and abide by Switchboard’s Code of Conduct.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Rainbow Door practice framework
• Provide information, guidance, support and direction to Helpline staff
• Facilitate post-call discussions and debriefing of Helpline staff to enable continuous learning and capacity building
• Develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with stakeholders.
• Provide regular 1:1 supervision to Helpline staff that is supportive, person-centred, constructive, supports skill and knowledge development, quality service provision, and provides a case review function.
• Participate in client allocation and review processes with the Rainbow Door Manager and Team Leaders.
• Support the recruitment. induction, development, review and management of Helpline staff.

Service Provision

• Directly provide and support Helpline staff in the provision of quality services. This includes intake, assessment, evidence-based interventions, and case management services to people referred to the Rainbow Door. Issues may include (but not limited to) mental health, family and intimate partner violence, gender and sexuality, homelessness, and suicidal ideation.
• Utilise appropriate assessment tools and measures, as well as outcomes and evaluation tools
• Provide queer sensitive and affirmative support and services to LGBTIQA+ people who have enacted family violence and are victims of family and intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
• Provide secondary consultations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in supervision processes (internal and external) provided by Switchboard.
• Work closely with the Rainbow Door Manager and other Team Leaders to ensure best practice service delivery.

Administrative/Other Duties

• Attend to the administration, coordination and rostering of Rainbow Door.
• Stay updated on organisational and sector information, resources, and literature
• Maintain accurate client records and data.
• Represent Switchboard at external events (meetings, workshops, forums and conferences) as required.
• Other duties consistent with the position where required and/or requested by the Rainbow Door Manager, Director of Services or CEO.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

• Applicant must identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, Intersex, asexual (LGBTIQA+) community [Switchboard Victoria has an exemption under the Equal Employment].
• Demonstrated experience working with people who have multiple and complex issues using a framework of strengths based, trauma informed, non-oppressive practice
• Demonstrated nuanced understanding of the complex issues faced by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) communities
• Commitment to cultural awareness and competence in service provision with multicultural and/or multifaith and First Nations communities
• Qualifications in counselling, social work, psychology, community services or similar and previous experience in one or more of the following sectors: family and intimate partner violence, sexual assault, mental health, counselling, aged care, disability, AOD, housing, youth, community health or similar
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervision, support and mentoring of staff
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively and respectfully within a team
• Ability to work shifts across a fortnightly roster including weekend shifts.

Highly Desirable

• Demonstrated experience working on a helpline or equivalent, including case management and intake and assessment
• Proficiency in using database, information and/or client management systems and office software, including Microsoft Office suite and online applications

Conditions of recruitment and appointment

• Application and interview against selection criteria and appropriate referee checks
• Appointment upon successful completion of National Police Check
• A current Employee Working with Children’s Check (WWCC)
• Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, or medical exemption
• The successful candidate must abide by the Switchboard Code of Conduct and policies and procedures
• The successful candidate must have a right to work in Australia.

To find out more and apply

Please make yourself familiar with Switchboard’s purpose and programs by visiting our website at www.switchboard.org.au.

Please carefully review the selection criteria for this position, which you should systematically address in your application (both essential and desirable criteria – 2 pages maximum), along with a resume and cover letter.

NOTE: Applications that do not address the Selection Criteria will not be considered.

For information, please contact Mengrui Li (Rainbow Door Practice Lead)

Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Rainbow Door Team Leader enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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 values diversity and is committed to the principles of cultural and ethnic diversity, social inclusion, and anti-racism. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to welcome and value unique perspectives. 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 or People of Faith.