• Three casual roles available (variable hours as needed)
• Must be available to work day, evenings, nights (sleepover) and weekends
• Based at Freeman House in Armidale, NSW; involves travel to meet client needs
• A current, unencumbered Drivers Licence and willingness to upgrade to an LR licence
• Residential Drug and Alcohol Support Services Collective Agreement, Level 2A. Hourly rate is $31.43 plus casual loading where applicable.

What we do

The St Vincent de Paul Society is a leading provider of community support services and has been assisting people experiencing disadvantage in NSW for more than 130 years. Our people reach out to the most vulnerable in our community through our Conferences, Special Works and Vinnies shops. The Society's mission is to shape a more just and compassionate society by offering a 'hands up' approach to people in need respecting their dignity, sharing our hope and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

About the Service

Freeman House is in the Vinnies Services directorate that provides a range of evidence-based services and programs that support men, women and children experiencing poverty or disadvantage to rebuild their lives.

Freeman House and its associated programs are committed to minimising the harm related to homelessness, drug and alcohol use, mental health, cognitive impairment, contact with the criminal justice system and other associated issues. SVDP NSW Support Services is committed to providing high quality, innovative and flexible responses to drug and alcohol, homelessness and other areas of complex need in the New England region.

The Role

The Support Worker provides quality services to clients of the Freeman House residential rehabilitation and homelessness services, and New England Outreach clients. Primary duties of the Support Worker include monitoring client safety and well being; supporting case management processes by ensuring treatment is supported out of hours; administrative and operational duties; and keeping other workers informed of significant events. The Support Worker will also provide out of hours telephone support for clients of the New England Drug and Alcohol Outreach program.

This role will report to the Senior Support Worker. 

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Demonstrated ability to maintain an ethical, non-judgemental, attitude towards clients and fellow staff.
• A relevant qualification in the Alcohol and Other Drug / Mental Health field (at least at Certificate IV level), or approved equivalent, or willingness to gain Certificate IV qualifications within 12 months of employment.
• Experience in dealing with challenging behaviours and crisis in a calm and considered manner.
• The ability to establish clear lines of responsibility and approach problem situation creatively, flexibly and with a high degree of initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and to work independently and unsupervised.
• Demonstrated ability to work within organisational policy, procedures and other directions.
• Willingness to work within the ethos of the St Vincent de Paul Society,
• Sound knowledge of WHS legislation as it relates to the workplace.
• Excellent computer and literacy skills including experience in computerised databases.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.
• A current, unencumbered Drivers Licence and willingness to upgrade to an LR licence.

Come and join our team!

We believe our employees are key to our success and in return we offer:

• Job satisfaction working as part of a team making a difference to people's lives in an organisation that cares about people.
• In addition to excellent learning and development programs, as a large purpose driven organisation we provide opportunities to grow your career across a range of teams and services.
• Supportive, friendly and values driven team environment and culture.

Prior to an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to complete the pre-employment checks including reference checks, a Police check, Working with Children check, Health Declaration and/or a medical check, Right to work in Australia check. The Society is committed to being a Child Safe organisation, further information can be found in the Society's commitment to Safeguarding Children & Young People.

St Vincent de Paul Society (NSW) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to engaging a diverse workforce. The Society strongly encourages applications from people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and mature aged applicants.

Please click here for a copy of the Position Description.