About BackTrack

BackTrack supports disadvantaged and at-risk young people in the Armidale region. Our work spans education programs for young people at risk of disengaging from school, a transition program that builds life and work-ready skills, and a social enterprise that offers real work.

Our people do demanding, emotionally complex work — often alongside young people who've experienced significant adversity.

About the role

This is a new, first-of-its-kind role at BackTrack, dedicated entirely to the wellbeing of our staff (it's separate from our Wellbeing Team, who focus on the young people in our programs). It goes well beyond a traditional EAP. You'll be a visible, mobile and approachable presence — offering support as part of everyday interactions in the teams you support, not only from a clinical office. A big part of the role is helping our people recognise and manage vicarious trauma, and building healthy, sustainable boundaries with the young people they support.

Confidentiality is at the heart of it. Our staff need to know you're a genuine "vault" — someone who holds what's shared in strict confidence and only steps outside that when there's an unacceptable risk to someone's safety.

What you'll do

• Provide confidential, short-term, solution-focused wellbeing support and psychoeducation — woven into everyday work, not just formal appointments
• Respond to critical incidents and facilitate team and group debriefs after high-intensity shifts
• Design and deliver short, practical training that builds staff and manager capability to manage exposure to trauma — and bring in subject-matter experts where needed
• Help staff build and maintain healthy professional boundaries with young people
• Coach and support managers (in partnership with HR) to look after their teams
• Champion a positive, proactive wellbeing culture and role-model safe and healthy work practices
• Maintain trusted referral pathways to the EAP and external services

What you'll bring

• A recognised qualification and current registration/eligibility in an appropriate mental health discipline — e.g. AASW-eligible Social Work degree, registered Psychologist (AHPRA), Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse, or accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist
• A minimum of three years' post-qualification experience
• Experience supporting people in trauma-exposed, high-stress or emotionally demanding work, and a strong understanding of vicarious trauma 
• A proven ability to hold strict confidentiality and navigate the tension between confidentiality, duty of care and the employer's WHS obligations
• Experience designing and delivering short training or capacity-building sessions
• Comfort providing support as part of everyday interactions, not only in a clinical, office-based setting
• The ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement
• A current (or willingness to obtain) Working with Children Check and National Police Check

Why join us 

• Three years of funding certainty, growing to full-time in Year 3
• SCHADS Level 5 base plus 12% super and NFP salary packaging to boost your take-home pay
• Local sites and minimal travel
• A competitive package of salary and benefits, including additional annual leave and paid leave over the Christmas closedown
• Genuinely meaningful work with a respected organisation, shaping a brand-new role from the ground up

How to apply

To apply, please submit your resume and a short cover letter addressing the "What you'll bring" criteria by hitting 'Apply now'.

For a copy of the full position description or a confidential chat about the role, contact Toni, HR Manager, 0437 088 450 [email protected] using the subject line: Staff Wellbeing & Mental Health Practitioner - Armidale enquiry via EthicalJobs.

BackTrack is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, and all appointments are subject to relevant background checks. We are an equal-opportunity employer and warmly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and people from all backgrounds and communities.