* Enjoy work-life balance with a 32-hour work week - perfect for making an impact without sacrificing your lifestyle
* Salary sacrifice to maximise your take-home pay
* Awarded Best Workplace in 2025, 2023 & 2021 for our outstanding culture and employee experience
WHO WE ARE
Footprints is a leading not-for-profit organisation with a proud history of working alongside people and communities to enhance wellbeing, independence and social connection. Established in 1991, we have grown into a multi-site service provider committed to excellence and innovation in person-led support, with a focus on older Australians and people experiencing mental health challenges. Through our wrap-around approach and partnerships across health, housing and community sectors, we deliver integrated services that create meaningful and lasting impact. Recognised as a Best Workplace Award winner, Footprints is guided by strong leadership, strategic collaboration and a shared commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities.
POSITION DETAILS
The Senior Wellbeing Coach (Identified) is a unique position that involves providing opportunities, guidance, and advocacy to individuals and/or their families identifying as First Nations navigating the mental health system, drawing on personal experiences to offer insight, empathy, and hope. Reporting directly to the Practice Lead, the Senior Wellbeing Coach (Identified) plays a crucial role in building rapport with individuals who identify as First Nations with mental health services, resources, and peer support networks. The First Nations Wellbeing Coach will have a deep understanding of the social & emotional wellbeing framework and utilise a holistic approach when exploring connection with people from a First Nations background.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Provide peer support to all individuals with mental health challenges (with a particular focus on those who identify as First Nations), drawing on personal experiences to offer empathy, understanding, and encouragement, with the support of the broader team.
* Maintain active community networks relevant to the role and seek opportunities for partnership with First Nations community-controlled organisations in the broader interests of the communities weservice, with support of the Community Engagement lead, offering cultural guidance to community engagement actions.
* Develop, in collaboration with the Community Engagement Lead and First Nations Manager, a First Nations engagement and response plan.
* Create opportunities for individuals to take an active role in their mental health wellness by providing information, education, and guidance on available resources, treatment options, and self-care strategies.
* Advocate on behalf of and alongside individuals to ensure their voices are heard, their needs are met, and they receive respectful and person-centered care within the mental health system.
* Connect individuals with appropriate mental health services, including therapy, counseling, psychiatric care, support groups, and crisis intervention services, as well as community resources for housing, employment, and social support.
* Provide immediate support and intervention in crisis situations, including suicide risk assessments, safety planning, and connecting individuals with emergency mental health services.
* Facilitate collaborative, strengths-based assessments and co-design personalised wellbeing plans aligned with each individual's needs and goals.
* Assist individuals who access the centre in recognising early warning signs of distress and co-develop safety plans
* Demonstrated experience in managing challenging behaviours and emotional distress in a calm, safe, and respectful manner
* Peer-Led Groups: Facilitate peer-led support groups, workshops, and community events to promote mental health awareness, peer connection, and recovery-oriented practices. Lead and/or co-lead a YarnSMART recovery group following the SMART recovery Australia guidelines.
* Participate in training programs, workshops, and peer support certification processes to enhance knowledge, skills, and peer support competencies.
* Maintain accurate and confidential documentation of peer support interactions, referrals, and outcomes in accordance with organisational policies and regulatory requirements.
* Engage with individuals accessing the centre through warm and welcoming interactions
* Build therapeutic relationships with Individuals who access the centre and journey with them through their full episode of care.
* Use assessment and referral tools such as the IAR-DST, RAS-DS and K10 & K5.
* Engage with individuals accessing the centre through warm and welcoming interactions.
GENERAL
* Adhere to organisational policies, procedures, professional standards, and legal and ethical frameworks relevant to community mental health.
* Engage in reflective practice, supervision, and professional development to maintain high standards of practice.
* Contribute to a psychologically safe, inclusive, and recovery-focused work environment aligned with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) obligations.
* Promote and embody the values, mission, and vision of Footprints Community in all aspects of service delivery and professional conduct.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
* Capacity to relate to Individuals who access the centre from a perspective of having a lived experience of mental health challenges
* Experience navigating or helping others navigate the mental health system
* To perform this role, it is essential that the person identifies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD)
* Ability to establish relationships and maintain appropriate boundaries with co-workers, individuals who access the centre, carers, and families
* Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, skills to work cooperatively with other staff as well as working independently
* Deep understanding of personal and professional boundaries
* Able to manage own self-care needs
* Good written and verbal communication skills, and computer literacy
* Current class C drivers license, Yellow Card, Blue Card
* Current First Aid Certificate and CPR
* Relevant Certificate IV or Diploma qualification OR at least two years' experience in a mental health peer work OR similar position.
* Experience in delivering psycho-social educational groups such as SMART Recovery, DBT etc
BENEFITS
* Salary sacrifice to maximise your take-home pay
* Opportunities for ongoing professional development and training
* A committed and friendly teamwork environment
* Employee Assistance Program
* Recognised for our outstanding team culture, winning Best Workplace Awards in 2025, 2023, and 2021
CLOSING DATE
Applications Close 24th of December 2025
Please note that only short‑listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. We thank you for your time and interest in working with Footprints.
To learn more about Footprints and access a copy of the position description, please visit our website:
CONTACT
For more information, please contact: Thaleia Fogarty -Practice Lead - Medicare Mental Health Centre at ********@footprintscommunity.org.au or ***
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Footprints encourages applications from all people. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long‑term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, Footprints strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.
Footprints Community acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and pays respect to Elders past and present, and thank them for their wisdom and guidance.
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