Rural and Regional Direct Services Child & Adolescent Counsellor / Project Officer – Newcastle

• Position No: 1045-1
• Enquiries: Mark Davis on (02) 9646 6700
• Work Type: Full-time; 38 hours per week. Contract up to 30 June 2026 (Continuation subject to ongoing funding)
• Location: Newcastle (with provision of counselling in Armidale and other Rural & Regional areas, requiring fortnightly travel)
• Vaccination Requirement: Category A. 
• Salary: Health Education Officer, or other relevant classification based on qualifications, experience and requirements of the role. A generous salary packaging scheme is also offered.

Do you want to work in one of Australia’s leading organisations providing treatment and rehabilitation to torture and trauma survivors; that’s quality focused, diverse & committed to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people in communities?

Come & join us!

The Organisation

“STARTTS is a not-for-profit Affiliated Health Organisation focused on providing a broad range of services to refugees in NSW. The focus of STARTTS approach is on building capacity and empowering people and communities to take control over their own lives, using a strengths-based approach and building on individual, family, community and cultural strengths.”

The Role

This role provides individual/group treatment to children and adolescents and liaising with schools in the area. While the primary location is Newcastle, the Child & Adolescent Counsellor / Project Officer will be required to provide counselling in Armidale and other Northern NSW Rural and Regional areas, which involves fortnightly travel.

Perks and Benefits 

• Employment with attractive leave entitlements including 14 weeks paid parental leave, 4 weeks annual.
• Leave and paid Accrued Day Off (ADO) (full-time employees only) and other entitlements.
• Salary packaging options that reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay.
• Great education opportunities through our Training department.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.
• Discounted gym memberships with a Fitness Passport.
• Flexible hybrid work
• For Rural and Regional positions only 
  • Relocation costs may be considered. 
  • Visa Sponsorship or Sponsorship of 482 visa transfer may be provided for the right candidate.

Skills and Qualifications Required

Essential:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in counselling, social work, psychology, or a related field with eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association.
• Demonstrated understanding of refugee issues, and the effects of torture and trauma on families, children, and adolescents from a refugee background.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct individual assessment and short to medium term interventions with children and adolescents.
• Demonstrated experience in running groups with children and adolescents.
• Demonstrated understanding of the NSW Education system and needs of children and adolescents.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and relevant experience in conducting training and the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team within a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated advocacy and community development skills and experience.
• Current NSW Driver’s License.

Desirable Requirements:

• Relevant experience in conducting consultancy and support to school counsellors and teachers working with refugee children and adolescents.
• Community development skills and experience in a multicultural context.

*This position is considered child-related employment and will require a Working with Children BackgroundCheck and a National Police Check.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

*This role is a Category A role. It is mandatory for Category A workers to meet and maintain the vaccination criteria (as per the current NSW Health and STARTTS policies).

Vaccination and/or assessment is required for Category A workers for the following transmissible diseases – measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), influenza and tuberculosis.

COVID19 vaccination is strongly recommended, but not a requirement for employment.

If successful you must provide evidence of vaccination and/or assessment.

Should you not be able to comply with vaccination requirements before your commencement date, the offer of employment may be withdrawn.

If you have a medical reason for why you cannot be vaccinated, a medical contraindication evidence will be required.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please ensure you address the selection criteria as thoroughly as possible. 

1. Complete a STARTTS Application for Employment Form by clicking the “Apply Now” button
2. Write a Statement Against the Selection Criteria outlining how you meet the selection criteria (see the guide “How to apply for a job at STARTTS”)
3. Submit an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
4. Provide copies of relevant Qualifications if applicable (overseas qualification must be assessed by an appropriate Australian body to be considered)
5. Statements of Service from previous relevant roles (if applicable, please ask us for a sample)
6. A cover letter is optional.
7. If you have any issues applying via the Employment Application Form or for any further information, send email to: [email protected] using the subject line: Rural and Regional Direct Services Child & Adolescent Counsellor / Project Officer – Newcastle enquiry via EthicalJobs.

NB: Depending on the role, if appointed, you may need a current ‘NSW Working With Children Check’ clearance, follow this link for information on how to apply of your check: https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/working-children-check/applicant

A position description is attached.