Community and Peer Advisors utilise lived experience to respectfully support and educate clients, consumers and stakeholders about strengths-based, recovery oriented practices and community services to support early engagement, and trauma-informed mental health support. The role requires lived experience of mental health issues and Australian Defence Force (ADF) service, as either an ex-ADF member or partner/carer of a current or ex-ADF member (spouse, ex-partner or widow/widower).Community and Peer Advisors provide goal focused and recovery oriented individual support to increase a client’s confidence and participation in the community, and with consent, liaise with clients’ family members, treatment providers, local support services and key stakeholders to ensure a holistic and therapeutic experience. Community and Peer Advisors provide co-facilitation for group programs in collaboration with Open Arms colleagues or external providers and play an active role in promoting Open Arms’ services in the community.Duties
Provide individual and personalised peer support services to current and former ADF members and their families in accordance with Open Arms policies and procedures. Collaboratively identify client goals and develop an individualise Action Plan to identify strengths and measure progress.
Apply lived-experience and knowledge of veterans’ and families’ to foster and sustain strong rapport with clients, acknowledging the expertise a client has and the guidance they can bring to their own life and mental wellbeing.
Collaborate with team members to co-facilitate relevant group programs; represent Open Arms in the veteran community; and build networks by working with key internal and external stakeholders to influence a recovery approach to service delivery for veterans, current ADF members, and their families.
Exhibit behaviours that promote mental health recovery and wellness, role modelling resilience and adaptability for client, community, and stakeholder education and engagement.
Eligibility
Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
Mandatory Requirements and Experience
Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration OR
Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Children check In addition to one of the above the following is also required:
Lived experience of Australian Defence Force (ADF) service, either as an ex-ADF member, or as partner/carer of a current serving or ex-ADF member (spouse, ex-partner or widow/widower).
Lived experience of mental health issues and recovery, which may include as a carer.
Willingness to undertake relevant training, professional development and professional supervision, including completion of Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
NotesThis recruitment process is being used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled for an initial specified term of up to18 months.A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.DVA embraces and fosters a culture that supports diversity, inclusion and respect, where people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We are dedicated and committed to attracting and recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourage applications from people with disability, people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Take on a rewarding, varied, and broad career with an Australian Public Service Department that can bring balance and flexibility to your working life, while supporting you to stay connected to your community.DVA is committed to improving the data skills and capability of our workforce to underpin our goal of becoming a leading data-driven organisation.RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit:
