Sexual Assault Worker - Identified

Empower healing and connection - support Aboriginal families with trauma-informed, culturally grounded care at Newcastle Sexual Assault Service

Employment Type: Permanent Part Time
Position Classification: Health Clinician Lvl 3
Remuneration: $57.30 - $69.84 Per Hour
Hours Per Week: 19
Advertising Closes: Monday 4th May
Requisition ID: REQ655082

This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria. 

Applicants must be female - under Section 31 (2) (h) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. 

Where you’ll be working
The Newcastle Sexual Assault Service (NSAS) operates across the Harker Building at the Wallsend Health Campus and John Hunter Hospital, on the beautiful lands of the Awabakal people. Our Wallsend site offers a tranquil environment, featuring a Cultural Room and an outdoor Yarning Circle surrounded by nature and birdsong - a place for reflection, connection, and healing.

About the team
Our passionate and experienced team of counsellors and forensic medical staff are committed to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care to people impacted by sexual assault. We pride ourselves on fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, inclusion, cultural safety, and belonging. As a team, we are deeply committed to working within a trauma-informed framework while continuing to learn from one another. We hold weekly Intake and Clinical Review meetings to share knowledge and strengthen practice, alongside monthly professional development sessions that embed a strong cultural lens. Hear from Carol, a proud Aboriginal Wonnarua woman from the Hunter Valley who has worked across NSW Health for over 20 years:
"It’s about being in the moment and our way of knowing, being, doing when working with mob. We are all working in collaboration towards closing the gap for our families and communities. I’m fortunate to have a position in health which I enjoy."

About the role
This is a key position within the service that focuses on strengthening trust and relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, families, and communities. You’ll work directly with Aboriginal families to support engagement with our services and ensure care is culturally responsive and respectful.
Your work will involve: 

• Building culturally appropriate connections with Aboriginal families accessing sexual assault and related support services.
• Promoting healing and wellbeing through trauma-informed and culturally grounded approaches.
• Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic, inclusive care.

About you
We’re looking for someone with strong knowledge and experience working alongside Aboriginal families and communities who have experienced violence, abuse, or neglect, including child protection contexts. You may bring lived or shared experience and a deep understanding of intergenerational trauma and its impacts.

What we offer
You’ll be welcomed into a supportive and inclusive team, guided by a Team Leader and Clinical Lead, and offered a thorough orientation to the service.

• Access to cultural and clinical supervision
• Ongoing support from Aboriginal colleagues across the campus and district, including our Aboriginal Family Wellbeing and Violence Prevention Worker and our deadly receptionist who is a proud Wonnarua woman
• Opportunities for professional development and training through the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV)
• Weekly Clinical Review and monthly Professional Development sessions that always embed a cultural lens

Join us in creating a service where culture, compassion, and collaboration drive meaningful change and healing.

Requirements:

• Must hold a degree in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer, which provides eligibility or membership of the relevant professional association / full registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

• Must participate in the Sexual Assault on-call roster and provide consultation and/or supervision to other staff regarding sexual assault. 
• Must participate in regular clinical supervision.   
• Eligible to drive in NSW.

Additional Information:

• To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.  
• This position is full time; however, job share and/or part time arrangements will be considered.
  
   
  Need more information? 
  
    1) Click here for the Position Description 
    2) Find out more about applying for this position
  
  For role related queries or questions contact Carol Anderson on carol.anderson@health.nsw.gov.au or 0438 829 127

Information for Applicants: 

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2 
 
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp 
 
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy. 

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