Start your career with The Salvation Army today!

We are looking for compassionate people who share our mission and values, if you have the passion and drive to commit yourself to a challenging and rewarding role; we invite you to review our current vacancies.

ABOUT US

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia's largest and most-loved charities, helping thousands of Australians every year find hope in the midst of all kinds of personal hardship. The Salvation Army offers the opportunity to use your professional skills and expertise to make a real difference in the lives of people who need help most.

The Salvation Army Australia's Homelessness Stream provides high quality, person centred services to people at risk, and or experiencing homelessness. We support adults and families, including accompanying children with accommodation, case management, outreach support, financial assistance, connection and referral to other specialist services.

A core program within the Salvation Army Crisis Services Network, the Crisis Contact Centre (CCC) in St Kilda is a generalist service that offers a 24hr, State-wide crisis response to people of all ages. It is open for face-to-face assistance, on a drop-in basis, from 9am until 11pm every day of the year (including public holidays) and offers a telephone-based response 24/7.

The CCC is a high-volume service, and while many are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, clients of the service present with a broad range of needs. Immediate assistance may include financial assistance for emergency housing, food vouchers and other material aid, information, advocacy and planning, as well as referral to specialist supports in relation to housing, family violence, alcohol and other drug use and mental health.

We are currently seeking an experienced and values-driven Social Worker to conduct client assessments within a crisis intervention framework.

You will successfully

• Allocate financial and material aid in a responsible manner to our clients
• Telephone calls, emails and in-person queries are tended to and resolved where possible and referred when necessary.
• Model a professional work ethic - reliable, punctual, and flexible and participate in shift handovers.
• Share information with co-workers and management; be proactive in solving workplace issues and problems.
• Develop links with other networks and community services in order to assist clients to access relevant resources and expand their network of community support.
• Seek to work through conflict and reach an agreement by demonstrating good, clear communication.
• Capacity to effectively assist clients to navigate a complex service system - this may involve provision of information and advice, or direct advocacy and negotiation with external services.
• Facilitate supported referrals for clients to specialist support services such as mental health, drug & alcohol, counselling and other, where necessary and appropriate
• Record client information and data in accordance with agency and funding body requirements

This is a part-time position 30 hours per week fixed-term for 12 months. Reporting to the Program Manager - this position is based at 29 Grey St, St Kilda. This role requires Overnight Shifts - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday- 11:00 pm to 9:00am.

You will have (Key Selection Criteria)

• Demonstrated understanding of the issues surrounding homelessness and a commitment to working with people who are disadvantaged within the community.
• Demonstrated commitment to the provision of accessible crisis support services to individuals and families.
• Capacity to assess and make timely and appropriate decisions on the provision of information, options and resources with regard to individual situation and circumstances.
• Proven track record of working with people who are disadvantaged and homeless.
• Sound knowledge of the resources and services available in the community, with respect to health, housing and crisis interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team delivering a range of services and to be independent and autonomous where necessary
• Well-developed interpersonal communications, advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Tertiary qualification is not regarded as essential, but completion of studies in the social/youth work field would be considered desirable.

Your responses to the key selection criteria should be included in your covering letter, together with a curriculum vitae.

What we offer

• NFP salary packaging ($15,900 tax free) plus meals and entertainment benefits (only for Social ABN)
• Financial, retail and lifestyle discounts and benefits
• Employee Assistance Program - Independent confidential counselling service
• An inclusive culture of dedicated, passionate and professional team members

The Salvation Army Social Mission embraces diversity and encourages applications from:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
• people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex
• people with a culturally or linguistically diverse background

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation that is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of children and young people, and protecting them from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all other roles require a mandatory National Police Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration.