Honesty - Trust - Respect - Concern - Love

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people strongly encouraged to apply 

• Full-Time, Permanent
• Based in Footscray
• $108,016.22 per annum plus super.
• 17.5% annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options      
• Progressive Workplace Flexibility options that enable genuine work life balance

About Odyssey Victoria

Odyssey Victoria (OV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey Victoria we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

Role Purpose

The Senior AOD Counsellor within the Aboriginal Metro Ice Project is responsible for the provision of effective AOD treatment through comprehensive assessments and counselling within a recovery focused framework.  

The purpose of this position is to reduce AOD related harms to Indigenous individuals and their families by conducting assessments and providing a range of counselling interventions to assist clients and their family members to change harmful behaviours and increase their ability to manage the problems they are experiencing.

Key areas of focus

• Providing high quality clinical counselling and support for Aboriginal clients and their families.  
• Building strong and effective relationships with Aboriginal clients and their families.  
• Working flexibly to meet client needs, including assertive outreach as required. 
• Providing secondary consultation including assisting with culturally sensitive responses. Conducting comprehensive assessments and referral to other AOD services  
• Developing comprehensive treatment plans and provide effective counselling interventions.  
• Facilitating evidence-based psychosocial interventions including, but not limited to, brief interventions, cognitive behavioural therapies, community reinforcement therapy, contingency management, motivational enhancement therapy and social behavioural therapy. 
• Providing education and practical assistance to clients to help them reduce the harms of their substance use to themselves and those around them. 
• Working collaboratively with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and other Aboriginal Organisations to support the needs of Aboriginal clients and families.  
• Working collaboratively with The Senior Aboriginal Cultural Advisor at Odyssey Victoria  
• Participate in cultural supervision within VAHS  
• Liaising and consulting with other services in particular linking clients with ACCHOs and ACCOs as appropriate  
• Participate and contribute to clinical review processes at Odyssey Victoria VAHS and other Aboriginal Organisations as appropriate, to support consistency and transitions between various types of services. 
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement.  
• Adhere to and keep informed of relevant legislative compliance requirements, reporting any perceived breaches, risks, hazards, and incidents where relevant.  
• Promote a legislative compliance culture throughout the program, to remain fully conversant with relevant law, regulation, industry codes and policies/procedures.

To be successful in this role, you must:

1. Relevant Health, Social or Welfare tertiary/degree qualification such as Social Work, Psychology, Nursing or Allied Health Sciences with experience  
2. Ability to deliver positive behavioural and recovery-orientated care.  
3. Ability to convey warmth, openness, empathy, and concern for the welfare of clients.  
4. Ability to collaborate effectively with clients, families, colleagues, stakeholders, and other service providers. 
5. Proven ability to work with a range of people, communities, and organisations (including specific groups such as Aboriginal and Forensic AOD clients).  
6. Experience in the provision of assessment and counselling services, preferably with AOD or dual diagnosis clients.  
7. Experience utilising the MARAMIS framework to recognise and respond to family violence within an intersectional and culturally safe manner  
8. Experience in therapeutic modalities such as: Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Coping Skills Training, Family Inclusive Practice, self-help groups, Community Reinforcement Approaches.  
9. Proven ability to effectively work with individuals and families experiencing problematic alcohol and other drugs use in a culturally aware, respectful, compassionate, and positive manner.  
10. Demonstrated understanding of community-based interventions for reducing alcohol and drug related harm.  
11. A demonstrated commitment to teamwork and the ability to take appropriate individual and team responsibility for the welfare of clients. 

*Note: refer to Appendix A for details on competencies

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria, please click HERE

*Appendix A (AOD Competencies)

OV requires people in clinical positions to have the following competencies (or their equivalent). Where people do not already have these competencies, OV will invest in the person’s professional development by providing them through its RTO.      

The competencies required in the first 12 months of employment are:      

• CHCAOD001 - Work in an alcohol and other drugs context      
• CHCAOD004 - Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues.      
• CHCAOD006 - Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues.      
• CHCAOD009 - Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans

What we can give YOU!

In return we are committed to offering you an inclusive and transparent workplace culture where our people can develop to be their very best by:       

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities     
• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging    
• Providing career pathways across diverse OV programs.     
• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP)     
• Generous leave options such as 48/52 Purchase Leave and Study Leave     
• Flexible working arrangements such as monthly RDO’s for full-timers (arrangements will vary based on role requirements).     

In addition to the above, staff will also be provided monthly Clinical Supervision sessions for professional development and personal wellbeing.

Application information

Please apply directly via our careers website (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered)

Applications should be addressed to Emma Shaw and include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact Emma Shaw Clinical Manager Child Youth and Families at [email protected] 

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis, and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately. This role will be open for one week and close once a suitable candidate has been selected, which may be prior to the application deadline, so please don’t wait to apply!  

Our commitment to diversity

At OV we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.   

Safety screening

OV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All OV employees must undergo Police Records and Working with Children Checks. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with us.

All Odyssey Victoria sites are smoke free for all employees.

A position description is attached.