Farmgate Counsellor

Southern NSW Local Health District; Albury City; Hybrid; AUD 79,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Relocation considerations

Leave loading 17.5%

Hybrid work options

Staff wellbeing support

Job summary

Southern NSW Local Health District is seeking a Farm Gate Counsellor to support drought-affected individuals, families and farming communities. The role provides strengths-based counselling and resilience-building services, working with local stakeholders to improve access to support and wellbeing across rural areas.

Role involves outreach, education and coordinating referrals, with flexible hybrid options and a commitment to inclusive, patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in counselling, psychology, social work or nursing with professional peak body membership

Responsibilities

• Provide strengths-based counselling, emotional support and practical assistance to individuals, families and rural communities affected by drought and adversity.
• Engage with farming communities to identify those in significant stress needing support.
• Deliver community education and mental health promotion activities to improve wellbeing and resilience.
• Coordinate referrals to health, welfare, financial and community services for holistic care.
• Develop partnerships with community organisations while maintaining accurate client records and documentation.

Skills

Counselling

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Organisation

Travel flexibility

Education

Tertiary qualifications in counselling/psychology/social work/nursing

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Make a real difference in the lives of people living and working in rural communities. As a Farmgate Counsellor, you'll provide compassionate, strengths-based support to individuals, families and farming communities impacted by drought and rural hardship, helping them build resilience, improve wellbeing and stay connected to the support they need.

• 12% superannuation
• Salary packaging and novated leasing
• Annual leave with 17.5% leave loading (for full-time and part-time staff)
• Relocation considerations
• Access to the Welcome Experience Program

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible work options, including hybrid and varied hours (depending on the role)
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Generous leave options including long service and carers leave
• Discounted gym membership through Fitness Passport
• Free and confidential support for staff and their families via our Staff Wellbeing and Support Service (EAP)
• Wellbeing programs that promote mental health, resilience and balance

Employment type:Permanent Full / Part Time or Casual opportunities
Position classification:Psychologist, Social Worker, Sexual Assault Worker, Counsellor (with PACFA)
Renumeration:$79,419.00 - $122,465.00 per annum, pro rata (+ super +17.5% leave loading where applicable)
Hours per week:up to 38
Requisition ID:REQ689899
Location:Albury/Deniliquin

About the role

The Drought Relief - Farm Gate Counsellor supports individuals, families and rural farming communities experiencing significant stress due to drought, providing strengths-based counselling, resilience-building support, advocacy and referrals to appropriate services. The position works closely with local communities and stakeholders to improve mental wellbeing, strengthen community connections, and ensure people affected by drought can access the support they need.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Provide strengths-based counselling, emotional support and practical assistance to individuals, families and rural communities affected by drought and rural adversity.
• Engage directly with farming communities, building trusted relationships and identifying people experiencing significant stress who may require support.
• Deliver community education, mental health promotion activities and outreach programs to improve wellbeing, resilience and awareness of available services.
• Coordinate referrals, advocacy and connections to health, welfare, financial and community support services to ensure holistic care.
• Develop strong partnerships with community organisations, stakeholders and health services while maintaining accurate client records and professional documentation

What We’re Looking For:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in counselling, psychology, social work, nursing with professional peak body membership and with the ability to provide high-quality therapeutic support.
• Strong counselling skills and experience using strengths-based, resilience-building and problem-solving approaches to support individuals and families experiencing adversity.
• An understanding of the challenges facing rural and farming communities, with knowledge of the impact drought can have on mental wellbeing, relationships and community resilience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across communities, agencies and service providers.
• Highly organised and self-motivated, with strong administrative skills, proficiency in Microsoft applications and the ability to travel independently across the region.

This is a NSW Health Category A position which requires immunisation and screening for certain diseases. The full list of requirements are outlined inthe NSW Health OASV PolicyMLHD values diversity and is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture that reflects the community we serve. We encourage applications from diverse community groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTI, people with a disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants can access recruitment application support through the Stepping Up initiative.

NSW Health acknowledges the people of the many traditional countries and language groups of New South Wales. It acknowledges the wisdom of Elders past and present, and pays respect to all Aboriginal communities of today.