Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Services Consultant – Identified

• Full time role based in Glebe
• $74k – $79k inclusive of Super + Salary Packaging
• Flexible Friendly organisation, hybrid work options available

The Benevolent Society considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement under s14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act NSW 1977 / s25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act QLD 1991

The Benevolent Society works in partnership with the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, to deliver the National Disability Gateway Services. The Disability Gateway will assist people with a disability, their family, friends, and carers, to locate and access relevant services and information across Australia based on their support needs.

The Benevolent Society’s vision is to build a just society where all Australians can live their best life. For more than 200 years we have supported people at the margins of society: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; children, young people, and their families; older people; carers and people with disability. We are an independent, non-religious service provider which supports people to live life their way. We use our practice wisdom to mobilise social movements that advocate for anyone in need and create social change. As part of The Benevolent Society’s vision, we are strongly committed to reconciliation with our First Nations people of Australia. We remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting the economic, political, and social inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

About the Role

As our Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Community Services Phone Consultant, you will join our team as a central point of contact and entry point for client referrals to disability information, services, and programs. You will assess client’s eligibility for services over the phone to identify risks and vulnerabilities and connect clients to culturally appropriate and safe community services and information.

Duties

• Apply your cultural understanding and knowledge to communicate and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people effectively and sensitively.
• Respond quickly and effectively to client enquiries in line with the Support Centre Customer Experience Vision and Quality Framework
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of funding mechanisms, including basic eligibility requirements, assessment processes, key contacts, and sources of consumer information including the ability to source culturally appropriate resources targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disabilities.
• Use a culturally safe human-centred and strengths-based techniques to build relationships with clients and provide accurate and timely advice, information and referrals over the phone to external support services and referral agencies in an effortless way.
• Follow up referral outcomes and support received by consumers to ensure consumer needs are met and excellent customer service is provided.
• Ability to advocate and influence the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with disabilities to continuously improve on best practice in providing culturally safe services.

Our Benefits  

We support people to live their best life. That includes you, our employee. A ‘best life’ is unique to everyone and can change as life changes: 

• Salary Benefits -You can package up to $15,900 pa of your pre-tax salary to pay for everyday expenses before income tax is calculated, meaning you take home even more pay!   
• Motor Vehicle Packaging Options – to suit your lifestyle.     
• Work/Life Balance - Enjoy flexible work arrangements, including hybrid home/office options, and accrue an additional day off each month (a bonus of 12 days per year) as a full-time employee. 
• Recognition and Reward – Sector competitive remuneration, various recognition programs and access to long service leave after 5 years.      
• Wellness – Stay fit with a Fitness passport, utilise our Employee Assistance Program, and even purchase additional leave. 
• Professional Development – We tailor career development opportunities to all employees and volunteers for career enrichment, fulfilment, and growth.  
• Our Reconciliation Commitment –Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are entitled of up to 10 days of leave for ceremonial purposes, as well as the option to be a voice on RAP working group, and the opportunity for cultural and professional development that supports career pathways.

Skills and Experience

We want you to be successful in your new role! This means you’ll have the following:

• Certificate III or IV or a Diploma In aged care, community care, disability services, community services or has experience and be willing to work towards gaining a formal Certificate III, supported by The Benevolent Society
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Knowledge of the sector and Australian Government funding bodies (NDIS, My Aged Care, child & family services) will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health or community services and call centres is preferable.
• High level of emotional regulation and agility, compassion and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Technologically savvy with the ability to navigate across multiple computer systems and multitask effectively in high stress situations.

Our Reconciliation Commitment

The Benevolent Society is committed to closing the gap on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment.

We work in consultation to build a high performing and sustainable cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. To achieve this, we will invest in resources and strategies. This will be strengthened by a workplace culture which understands, values and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture.

We inspire to be an Employer of Choice, who offers, provides, and supports culturally safe practices within the workplace and community.

If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, we want to hear from you!

APPLY ONLINE TODAY!

To apply please click ‘Apply Now’ and submit your current CV along with a 1-page cover letter telling your story as to the reasons you’re applying for this role!

Call Piper on 0481 479 016 for a friendly, confidential discussion or our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Specialist Sarah on 0403 963 268 for support or to discuss the role in more detail.

*Internally this role is called a Community Services Consultant

The artwork above is by Jasmine Sarin, a proud Kamilaroi and Jerrinja woman from NSW, who grew up on the South Coast in Jerrinja and Yuin country (Nowra) and Dharawal country (Wollongong).

The Benevolent Society respects and promotes human rights and diversity and is committed to building an inclusive culture. We welcome diversity in all its forms; applications from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged. We value relationships with our local Aboriginal community and welcome applications from its members. We see ability not disability, if you identify as a person with a different ability, please get in contact to let us know how we can accommodate your needs. We pride ourselves on being a client and child safe organisation and as such all our staff and volunteers go through security screening relevant to the role.