Switchboard Victoria is based on the lands of the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. 

We acknowledge that our work takes place on lands that are under colonial occupation and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We hope to pay our deepest respects to Boon Wurrung elders, past and present, and wish to extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across this Country we know as Australia.

About Switchboard (Victoria) Inc. 

Switchboard Victoria is a community-based, not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer driven support services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) people and their friends, families and allies. 

Our current activities include: 

• Phone and web counselling and referral – Switchboard is the Victorian partner in the national QLife service. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. 
• Community connections for older LGBTI+ people – Switchboard’s Pride in Ageing program works to tackle ageism and strengthen social inclusion and community connection for older LGBTI+* Victorians. The Out and About peer visiting program builds friendship and connection between LGBTI+ seniors living anywhere in Victoria through regular volunteer visits.  
• Rainbow Door - is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family, and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing. 
• Suicide prevention - research and development of suicide prevention resources and programs for LGBTIQA+ communities. 
• QTIBPoC Programs - The QTIBPoC program aims to build connection and greater equity for Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k, Indigenous and/or People of Colour and People of Faith. The program runs free events and workshops throughout the year led by and for QTIBPoC communities.
• Training Program – Switchboard delivers a range of training to the community and service sector organisations. Trainings offerings include LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice, How to Recognise and Respond to F/IPV, How to Talk About Suicide Safely, Everyday Racism in the Workplace and Peer Support Training. Staff are accredited to deliver LivingWorks programs ASIST and safeTALK.
• Rainbow Families - Connecting and supporting LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and their families. Supporting services to develop and deliver rainbow family-inclusive better practice across Victoria.

Position details

Employment type: 0.8 FTE, 60.8 hours/fortnight

Classification & remuneration: Social and Community Services Employee, Level 5 Pay Point 1-3 (based on individuals level of skill and experience) as per the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010

Plus, Superannuation 12%

Tax benefit available from salary sacrifice, package of up to $15,899

Location: Victorian Pride Centre, 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC 3182

Other offices of Switchboard Victoria in Melbourne’s inner north

Switchboard has a hybrid work policy, some remote work is permitted. In person training will be delivered throughout Victoria, some travel (including overnight) will be required.

Applicants must:

• • reside in Melbourne;
  • reside in greater Victoria and be willing to commute to Melbourne on work days, or
  • be willing to relocate to Melbourne on successful appointment.

Reports to: QLife and Training Manager  

Direct reports: N/A – No direct reports

Training program overview

Switchboard delivers a diverse range of training programs for both the LGBTIQA+ community and mainstream (non-LGBTIQA+) service sector organisations. These programs are designed to strengthen inclusive practice, build sector capability, and enhance responses to key wellbeing and safety issues affecting LGBTIQA+ communities.

Training topics include LGBTIQA+ inclusive practice; recognising and responding to family and intimate partner violence; talking about suicide safely; addressing everyday racism in the workplace; and peer support skills development. Switchboard is also an accredited provider of LivingWorks programs, including ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and safeTALK.

Position overview and responsibilities

Switchboard Victoria is strengthening the scope, quality and sustainability of its training program to meet growing demand within both the LGBTIQA+ sector and mainstream mental health, community, support, and family and intimate partner violence services working with LGBTIQA+ communities. This work was identified as a key priority in Switchboard’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan.

The training program focuses on the development and delivery of learning grounded in peer support principles, suicide prevention, and the lived experiences of LGBTIQA+ people, particularly in relation to mental health, suicidal distress, and family and intimate partner violence.

The Training Development, Support and Delivery Officer will work closely with the Training Manager and other Switchboard programs to support and expand this work. The role contributes to the development, refinement and delivery of training aligned with Switchboard’s areas of expertise in LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing, suicide prevention, and family and intimate partner violence. The position also supports training delivery logistics, including coordination with external organisations, scheduling sessions, and preparing materials.

The successful applicant will be an experienced trainer with strong facilitation skills. This is a part-time role (0.8 FTE) and requires travel across Victoria to deliver face-to-face training, with some sessions delivered online.

Key Selection criteria

Essential

• The applicant must identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex and/or asexual (LGBTIQA+) community. (Switchboard Victoria has an exception under section 28 “welfare services” of the Equal Employment Act.)
• Demonstrated understanding of the diverse and complex issues faced by LGBTIQA+ communities, informed by lived experience and/or professional practice.
• Strong understanding of intersectionality and anti-racist practice, with the ability to consistently apply an intersectional and anti-racist lens across all aspects of work, including training design, delivery, and engagement with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of key drivers of distress affecting LGBTIQA+ communities, particularly as they relate to suicide, family and intimate partner violence, and mental health and wellbeing.
• Sound understanding of adult learning principles, with the ability to design and deliver trauma-informed, inclusive, and accessible training.
• A minimum of two years’ experience delivering adult learning and facilitating groups, including experience adapting facilitation approaches to meet diverse participant needs.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to co-present both face-to-face and online, and to facilitate training in safer and respectful learning environments.
• Demonstrated experience in developing customised and tailored training modules or packages, including defining learning outcomes, in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Relevant tertiary or vocational qualifications, such as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE), or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Experience working with LGBTIQA+ communities, particularly people who identify as queer, trans and gender diverse, intersex, and/or bla(c)k and people of colour.
• Experience volunteering or working in mental health services or related community support settings.

To find out more and apply

Please carefully review the selection criteria for this position, which you should systematically address in your application (this does not have to be in a separate document), which should also include your resume listing all relevant employment and volunteer experience and qualifications, and a cover letter.

Please note that applications that do not address the key selection criteria will not be considered.

Contact

For more information please contact Libby Jamieson, QLife and Training Manager.

Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Training Development, Support, and Delivery Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Switchboard Victoria is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and will consider all qualified applicants, regardless of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability or national origin.  Switchboard especially welcomes and encourages applications from people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; trans, gender diverse or intersex; disabled; carers; live with HIV, are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), People of Colour and/or People of Faith and/or identify with having lived experiences of suicide and mental ill-health. 

Find out more about working at Switchboard at www.switchboard.org.au