We support individuals living with mental health challenges to achieve outcomes they value.

Position details

• Part Time Maximum Term Contract until 29 June 2025 (0.6 FTE)
• Classification: SCHADS Level 2 with a salary range of $63,706 - $69,516 per annum (pro rata) + Superannuation
• Salary packaging arrangements providing tax benefits available for living and entertainment expenses increasing your take home income where part of your wage is paid tax free each pay, savings thousands in tax each year
• Location: Various Neami Sites across Melbourne, VIC

About Neami National

“We’re big believers in everyone having the opportunity to live a full life – and we give our all to support people to achieve wellbeing and mental health outcomes that matter to them.

For some people, this means having a stronger sense of self. For others, it may mean nurturing relationships or building the confidence to tackle tomorrow. Everyone has different life goals, and at Neami, we walk alongside people to help improve their quality of life on their terms.

We’re proud to support 38,000 people living with mental health challenges across Australia and offer more than 70 services, over 45 different Indigenous lands. These services include mental health and wellbeing, housing and homelessness, and suicide prevention.”

About the Peer Cadet Program

Peer Cadets will explore how to use lived experience learnings and apply their Mental Health Peer Work studies to support consumers in Neami National programs.

They will gain first-hand experience in supporting individuals with their mental health and well-being journey by shadowing experienced workers, planning, and offering direct support. Peer Cadets will be supported by a Peer Mentor and the Victorian Peer Cadet Program Coordinator, working collaboratively to develop their peer practice and skills.

Peer Cadets will receive line supervision from their Peer Mentors and discipline supervision from the coordinator to explore learning goals, placement experience, wins/challenges, as well as participating in regular co-reflection opportunities in Community of Practice and team spaces. They will learn from a diverse range of clinical and non-clinical professionals to understand how to collaborate and complement other practice approaches as a Lived Experience professional. Additionally, Cadets will undergo training and have access to other training opportunities.

What you will bring to the role

• Personal experience of mental health challenges and recovery plus an awareness of how to draw on these learnings intentionally and purposefully to support others
• Willingness to identify or be identified by others as a professional with lived experience of recovery
• Willingness to share and draw on lived experience purposefully in the role to instill confidence and hope in others about the journey of recovery
• Evidence of enrolment and progression through the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work
• Ability to receive and respond to feedback to grow and develop
• Ability to develop respectful professional relationships, uphold confidentiality, and establish clear working boundaries
• An understanding of ways to build participation and inclusion in support or services
• Demonstrate integrity, credibility and open communication plus uphold ethical behaviour, consistent with the values of honesty, fairness
• Positively listens and learns to proactively address conflict
• Has ability to work autonomously, follow direction and work well within a team approach
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence using computers including using Microsoft 365

What will Neami offer in return?

• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave, Gratis Leave and Wellness Leave
• Professional development through regular practice development sessions and coaching with your supervisor
• Ongoing extensive in-house Learning and Development programs to encourage learning and skill-building
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through TELUS – providing holistic health and wellness supports and resources to Neami staff and their immediate family
• Flexible work arrangements are available for maintaining your work-life balance

What the role requires

• National Criminal History Check (police check) – disclosable outcomes considered
• Current Working with Children Check – required before commencement of work
• Australian working rights
• Current Drivers licence

To be eligible

To be eligible, applicants must be currently undertaking the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or enrolled to begin the course at the start of the cadetship period and meet the selection criteria defined by participating organisations.

Online information sessions

Understanding more about what peer work is, and what the Peer Cadet Program involves, can help you make sure this is the right opportunity for you. Applicants must attend an information session or watch a pre-recorded session before applying.

We invite potential candidates to attend or watch one of our upcoming information sessions (online) to find out more about the program. Program leads from participating organisations will also be available to answer any questions you may have about this opportunity.

The agenda items for the information session are as follows:

• About the Peer Cadet Program
• What Is Peer Work
• Why I chose Peer Work
• What to Consider Before Applying to Become a Peer Cadet
• Peer Cadetship Expectations
• Peer Cadet Program Host Organisations
• The Application Process
• Question Time

Wednesday 19 June from 6-7.30pm. Register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/acf0aa34-6dc5-4020-8f74-d91a77179827@c0e0601f-0fac-449c-9c88-a104c4eb9f28

Recorded information session

• To receive a link to a recorded session please register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-25-peer-cadet-program-recorded-information-session-tickets-914293615817?aff=oddtdtcreator

A link will be sent via email after 5 June 2024

Further information and will be available on the department of Health website Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program | health.vic.gov.au

Questions about the program can be emailed to [email protected] using the subject line: Peer Cadet - Melbourne enquiry via EthicalJobs.

How to Apply

The terms and conditions of the role are listed in the position description which can be found on the Neami Job Vacancy portal (select paper clip icon).

To apply for this position, please:

• Click the ‘Apply Now’ button where you will need to create a username and password.
• Upload your resume and cover letter along with the attached completed application form.

When applying for this position, you are asked to tell us about your previous work experience, your suitability for this role and your answers to any target questions (where asked).

Please include in your application how you would prefer to be contacted (whether via email, text or phone call).

If you are excited about this role, but only meet some of the requirements, or have any questions about the program please email all queries to [email protected] using the subject line: Peer Cadet - Melbourne enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If you have any further questions regarding the Position Description attached or queries about Neami, or if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact: Hiring Manager | Caitlin Jablonka | Lived Experience Lead - Mental Health Hubs | [email protected] using the subject line: Peer Cadet - Melbourne enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If your application is shortlisted:

• We may invite you to have an informal phone conversation to discuss the role and get to know more about your experience and interest and answer your questions.
• We may invite you to an interview (which may be in person or conducted online via Microsoft Teams) with up to three panel members from Neami.

Be Yourself - Neami values and celebrates diversity including multidisciplinary teams and the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that is accessible, inclusive and reflects the community in which we live.