Senior Practitioner – Trauma Counselling (Sexual Violence)

Job Posting Organization:
54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organization, proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and a global movement dedicated to ensuring that children and young people have their rights met and thrive in all their diversity. The organization focuses on providing quality services to children and their caregivers across every state and territory, including remote areas and capital cities. With a workforce of approximately 600 people, 54 reasons values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures, and beliefs, and aims to create a supportive environment for all employees.

Job Overview:
In this key role, the Senior Practitioner will utilize exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to provide a highly specialized response for young people and adults impacted by trauma due to sexual violence and family violence. The position involves delivering trauma-informed counseling and collaborating with clients, their families, and key agencies across the Mt Isa/Gulf region. The role is full-time and permanent, requiring regular travel throughout the region, including Mornington Island and Normanton. The Senior Practitioner will work closely with a team that includes Family Support Specialists and a Children’s Counsellor, focusing on supporting the recovery, healing, and restoration journey of clients. The position emphasizes a human and child rights-based approach, ensuring that the child’s voice remains central to the services provided.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Practitioner will be responsible for providing therapeutic interventions to individuals who have experienced sexual assault and/or family violence, from the initial disclosure through to investigation and criminal prosecution. Key responsibilities include conducting evidence-based and trauma-focused assessments, formulating cases, setting goals, providing counseling, advocacy, group work, and crisis response. The role also involves working collaboratively with clients and key agencies, advocating for and responding to identified risks, and assisting in the delivery of community education and professional training. As a subject matter expert in sexual violence, the Senior Practitioner will provide coaching and advice to internal colleagues, ensuring that clients receive the right services at the right time.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum 3-year tertiary qualification in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. Eligibility for membership with either AASW, ACA, AHPRA, or PACFA is required, although membership is not mandatory. Significant experience in providing therapeutic counseling related to sexual violence to young people and adults is essential. Additionally, candidates should have demonstrated experience working within Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, with a deep understanding of intergenerational and interpersonal trauma. Skills in therapeutic assessment, crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning are also required, along with the ability to work collaboratively with partner organizations across complex service systems.

Educational Background:
The position requires a minimum of a 3-year tertiary qualification in a relevant field such as Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of trauma and the necessary therapeutic interventions needed to support clients effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in providing therapeutic counseling specifically related to sexual violence, with a focus on both young people and adults. This experience should include a proven track record of working within Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges faced by these populations.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication with clients and stakeholders. Additional language skills, particularly those relevant to the local community, would be considered advantageous but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time, permanent position based in Mount Isa, Queensland, with regular travel required throughout the region. The role offers an award rate salary of $49.28 per hour, with an increase scheduled for July. Employees are entitled to full salary packaging benefits, individual learning plans for career development, and extra leave options to ensure optimal performance. The organization provides supportive management, professional supervision training, and access to a confidential Employee Wellbeing Program. The organization strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates and is committed to diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process.