Location/s:

• West / NW Coast Tasmania (Circular Head, Waratah, Wynyard regions)

Employment Conditions:

• SCHCADS Award
• Level 4
• Salary Packaging Benefits
• Full Time Contract Basis until 30 June 2024
• (Contract extensions available and based on future funding agreements)

The country outreach worker will provide support to individuals and rural communities using a diversity of skills and networks.

The successful applicant will have excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with rural communities. Be able to work as part of a team but with limited supervision. Prioritise tasks to meet deadlines and have empathy and understanding of the rural way of life and rural communities. RAW would like to encourage applicants with a wide range of qualifications and experience to apply.

The appointment is on a full-time contract basis until 30 June 2024 but may be extended depending upon future funding arrangements.

Applicants based in the west / north west of the state are encouraged to apply.

RAW is supported by funds from both Federal and State Governments.

ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

Rural Alive and Well is a Tasmanian not-for-profit organisation, building mentally healthy and resilient rural communities to reduce the prevalence of suicide in ages 14 years and above.

RAW's programs operate state-wide in rural and remote Tasmanian locations. All programs operate with the same underlying evidence-based suicide prevention framework.

RAW provides practical and tangible interventions, to promote positive mental health, reduce stigma, address life stressors and provide access to specialist support services for people who live in Tasmania's rural and remote areas.

RAW is ‘non-clinical’, genuine, and non-intrusive. The service is confidential with no waiting lists or fees.

RAW's team has a dynamic range of qualifications and lived experience, which enables one-on-one support to be authentic and personal. RAW works collaboratively with shared goals to get the best outcome for program participants.

RAW conversations take place where program participants are most comfortable, for example: in the paddock, football field, timber yard, docks, or a nearby local cafe.

RAW adopts a culturally sensitive, strengths-based, and collaborative approach to delivering services. Our team members are from a range of backgrounds and receive training and ongoing support to provide evidence- informed care to people.

Our hiring process:

• You find or get sent this job ad
• You read the ad
• It sparks your interest and you want to tell us how enthusiastic you are about the role (email us a cover letter and CV)
• If your application triggers our interest you will meet the CEO, Operations Manager and the people in our team
• You tell us why you’re the person for the job and how you are Community focused, respectful & professional, local & genuine, trusted & reliable and your love for helping people!
• If you’re the very best candidate for the role– you can start the role immediately where you will be provided with quality training to help you make a difference in our rural communities.

Governance Structure

RAW is governed by a 11 member skills-based Board of Governance that has a strong balance of professional, agricultural and community experience.

RAW’s operations are managed by its Executive Management Group who have day-to-day responsibility for its programs and activities.

THE JOB IN DETAIL

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Community Capacity and Resilience

• Provide education, training, debriefing, community activities and strategies to break down barriers and address suicidality within the local community to build capacity and resilience.
• Increase the profile and community engagement capacity of RAW, in addition to establishing a high personal profile with the local community to engender trust with potential clients and referral agencies.
  • Ensure the professional reputation of RAW and its staff are not denigrated through unprofessional or other activities that bring disrepute to the organisation.
• Facilitate collaboration and partnerships with community stakeholders and services providers
• Collaborate with other organisations providing counselling, support and other services to shared clients and rural communities
• Conduct regular farm and house visits making contact with those who traditionally have been isolated or overlooked or are simply ‘doing it tough’
• Provide assertive outreach including ‘cold calling’, going where people live & work and demonstrating genuine care with a proactive approach to providing ongoing physical and emotional support.
• Respond to individual communities in times of crisis and need as required
  • Floods
  • Fire
  • Industry downturn

Person-centred Support

• Provide individually tailored support to at-risk individuals and their families to improve their mental health and well-being, with a focus on preventing suicide by working with them to;
  • identify risk and safety issues;
  • set goals;
  • provide support, coaching and motivation to encourage individuals to build skills and motivation to engage with family and community supports and to stay alive;
  • stay connected to informal and formal supports and services that strengthen their mental health and promote recovery; including employment and volunteering.
  • Facilitate engagement/referral with clinical and other specialist services as required
  • Provide warm referrals to and support engagement with support services that may include clinical care, safe and secure housing, financial or relationship counselling.
  • Work in partnership with families and communities to support integration and reintegration of ‘at risk’ individuals into their local community networks including into social and recreational programs

Operational Obligations

• Planning routine day-to-day work program whilst exercising initiative, discretion and judgement and being mindful of established priorities.
• Record case-notes on RAW’s electronic database as soon as possible after an interaction or event (within 24 hours). Case notes need to be impartial, accurate and complete to meet legislative and organisational requirements.
• Traveling extensive distances within designated communities
• Attend team meetings and staff training
• Other duties relevant to the employee’s qualifications and experiences as directed by the Team Leader and/or Executive Management Group.
• Submit reports as directed by team leader
• Reconciliation of receipts, credit, and fuel cards
• Maintaining confidentiality in aspects relating to RAW
• Ensure a safe working environment by complying with relevant Occupational Health and Safety legislation and the requirements of the RAW occupational Health and Safety Management system, policy, procedures, and guidelines.
• Being conversant and complying with all relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role
• Ensure that any matter of a serious or complex nature regarding their duties or clients is brought to the attention of the team leader at the earliest opportunity.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience, knowledge and understanding of the complexities for people living in rural and remote areas, particularly the challenges in delivering programs.
2. Proven ability to gain community acceptance and to deliver support programs that meet community needs.
3. The ability to empathise with a diverse range of individuals and provide support with an emphasis on improving mental health and well-being.
4. Demonstrated capacity for self-direction as well as personal skills of initiative, adaptability, judgment, flexibility, discretion, and planning.
5. High-level oral and written communication skills.
6. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
7. Demonstrated ability to identify and apply practical solutions to client needs.

Essential Requirements:

• Current National Police check.
• Current Tasmanian Driver’s License.
• Current Working with Vulnerable People Child Related Activity registration.

Desirable Requirements:

• Training in mental health awareness and/or suicide prevention.
• Experience of liaison with community and health services in a rural environment.
• Experience as an Outreach Worker or a well-developed understanding of the role.
• Personal resilience and skills in self-care.
• Current first-aid certificate.
• Tertiary qualifications in the fields of mental health or human services.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Workplace Diversity

RAW is committed to valuing and respecting each other as colleagues and peers. We value the fact that individuals bring different ideas, skills and backgrounds to their work in this organisation, and we recognise that people have different needs and aspirations.

We value the diverse backgrounds, skills and contributions of all employees and treat each other and our customers with respect. We also value those who have a lived experience of mental health issues. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or bullying in the workplace.

Occupational Health and Safety

RAW is a smoke free work environment. Smoking is prohibited in all workplaces including vehicles. RAW is committed to high standards of performance in respect to occupational health and safety. All employees are expected to participate in maintaining safe working conditions and practices.

All employees are required to comply with the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, section 16 “Duties of Employees”. The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 can be found at, http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au

Child Safety Standards

RAW has a commitment to ensure we provide professional, safe and enjoyable environments to children and young people who participate in sport.

The executive and management of our organisation are responsible for undertaking recruitment and ensuring that our processes and systems are robust and thorough, as well as being communicated and understood internally. Our recruitment process is a 5-step process and includes meeting and engaging with a variety of key people from across the organisation as well as completing thorough verification checks.

As part of our comprehensive recruitment process, we ensure that all safety and legislative checks such as working with children checks, Criminal background checks, employment and personal reference checks are completed to ensure anyone working for the AFL is fit for the role they are employed in, prior to commencing employment.

RAW takes the safety of children and young people very seriously and reviews all process and procedures in line with current state and federal legislation.

Further information about RAW and a copy of the position description is available by emailing [email protected] using the subject line: Country Outreach Worker - NW / West Coast Tasmania enquiry via EthicalJobs or by telephoning 03 6254 1092 or 0477 883 978.