Is this you?

• New AOD role as a part of our established, supportive, high performing and welcoming Assertive Outreach Service team!

• Looking for a meaningful role where you can impact the lives of people with complex and intersecting needs?

• Want to work close to home? South East Melbourne location, based in Dandenong!

At ACSO, we look for people who believe in second chances, who share our values and are passionate about supporting forensic clients to re integrate back into the community. If this sounds like you, read on!

What ACSO can offer you

• Full time, permanent position available

• $90,402.00 - $92,733.68 base salary + 12% superannuation + NFP salary packaging options (more after tax $ in your pocket!)

• Dandenong location

• Paid parental leave (14 weeks accessible after six months of employment)

• Annual leave loading of 17.5%

• Hybrid working availability - opportunity to work from home up to 2 days per week

• Flexible working arrangements - includes options for an accrued day off or compressed hours

• Learning and development opportunities - including access to ACSO's leadership development program and a dedicated leadership coach. In house training suite of client specific training including in Trauma Informed Practice, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), plus best practice training on all aspects of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

• Career progression opportunities - leadership development programs and coaching, opportunities for internal consultancy or secondments to other programs

• Wellbeing initiatives - such as free flu vaccines, wellbeing and professional development vouchers, Employee Assistance Program and Reward and Recognition Program. Our employees matter!

• Dedicated inclusion and diversity initiatives to support employees from all backgrounds and dispositions, including specialised leave for cultural ceremonies or gender affirmation

About Us

The Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) is a vibrant, values driven NFP, focused on partnering with Government and the community to co-design services that create real social change. We are an organisation with a bold vision to create a safe and inclusive community where prison truly is the last resort. Our purpose is to strengthen the wellbeing of our communities by advocating for and delivering services which divert people away from the justice system.

The Australian Community Support Organisation recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias. ACSO is committed to the equitable treatment of its participants, employees and partners. We believe in humanity and celebrating the diverse voices of our community through leadership, practice and policy design, to honour and embrace diverse traditions, cultures and experiences of those we support and work alongside.

About the role

The Assertive Outreach Service (AOS) is a program established in August 2023 focused on delivering a targeted, time-limited-service response to a small number of clients with complex functional needs, who experience significant service gaps and present an unacceptable risk of harm to others and/or self. The AOS program deliver assertive outreach and case management services to clients referred by the Department of Families and Fairness (DFFH) across the South East Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.  

The AOD Counsellor will work within the Assertive Outreach Service (AOS) to provide targeted Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) support to participants experiencing complex and intersecting needs. The role will be based from ACSO's Dandenong office and may be delivered face to face, via phone, or through video conferencing platforms. The AOD Counsellor will be responsible for undertaking comprehensive AOD assessments utilising a trauma informed approach, identifying participant needs and risks, developing realistic person-centred treatment plans, and delivering evidence based AOD interventions to AOS participants. The role will involve providing both brief and longer-term therapeutic interventions aimed at supporting harm minimisation, recovery goals, wellbeing, stability, and improved psychosocial outcomes.

What we're looking for

This role suits somebody who has established AOD counselling skills and experience, with a person centered and trauma informed lens. What's most important to us is someone with the right attitude, values and who is willing to be a collaborative team member. You will have/be:

• A relevant tertiary health qualification such as, Counselling or Psychology and Certificate IV, or higher qualification, in Alcohol and Other Drugs or have completed the core competencies, along with equivalent relevant experience

• 2+ years prior experience in the AOD sector, including the delivery of treatment interventions and evidence-based therapeutic approaches

• Strong AOD assessment facilitation, report writing skills, incident report writing and case noting abilities

• Experience facilitating AOD intervention with people throughout all stages of the transtheoretical model (stages of change)

• Ability and willingness to contribute to a supportive and productive team environment

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders

• Proficient risk management and escalation

Desirable but not essential:

• Experience working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team

• Experience working with people with multiple complex needs

• Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of people you support

• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, risk management and mediation skills

How to apply

If you think you'd be a great fit - we'd love to hear from you!

To apply and view the position description (PD), please click "Apply Now" and provide a copy of your resume, a brief covering letter and a document outlining responses to the selection criteria found in the PD.

As ACSO is an NDIS provider, the successful candidate must hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check Clearance and Working With Children Check before they commence employment in this position.

To learn more about this position, please contact Tim Stevenson, Program Manager - Assertive Outreach Services, on 0499 306 226.

ACSO proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia's first peoples and pay respect to their rich culture, lores, customs and elders past and present. We strongly embrace the spirit of reconciliation and continue working towards ensuring an equal voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, particularly those who have been touched by the justice system.

ACSO recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias and aims to provide a safe working environment, one which seeks to protect those affected by domestic and family violence and holds those who may use domestic and family violence to account, whilst supporting positive behaviour change.

ACSO embraces diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from appropriately qualified and skilled people regardless of their background. All suitable applicants for this role will be considered regardless of age, ability, race, gender expression, sex, cultural background, spiritual beliefs or lived experience.

A position description is attached.