Counsellor Advocate
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Position: Counsellor Advocate (multiple positions)
Hours: Full time / Part time / Casual - fixed term for 12 months (with a possibility of extension or permanency)
Level: MEA Award Grade 5.1 ($51.00 per hour plus super)
Reports to: Counsellor Program Coordinator
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
CRCC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, CALD background, gender diverse and LGBTQI+.
All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural background, veteran or disability status.
The Organisation
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) is a non-government, feminist organisation working to eliminate sexual violence against women, young people, children and men. Our Mission is to be an active, visible catalyst for social change through the provision of high-quality services within a feminist framework.
We provide confidential counselling and support for victim survivors of sexual violence and their families who have experienced any form of sexual assault and/or sexual harassment recently or in the past, and practical support for victim survivors who have experienced childhood sexual abuse or ritual abuse, recently or many years ago.
We arrange immediate crisis appointments and provide a 24-hour crisis callout service through the Forensic & Medical Sexual Assault Care (FAMSAC) and/or Sexual Assault & Child Abuse Team (SACAT) services.
Our Crisis phone support is available from 7am until 11pm, 7 days a week.
Job Summary
The Counsellor Advocate will be experienced in providing counselling, information, referral, advocacy and support services to men, women, children, young people, and their supporters. The Counsellor Advocate will meet with CRCC clients and provide them with face to face, confidential, trauma informed services that are people focused.The Counsellor Advocate will represent CRCC in meetings, forums and events, such as community education activities particularly in areas such as trauma, therapeutic frameworks, clinical counselling and victim response.
Key Responsibilities:
Decision Making and Accountability
* Applies knowledge through qualifications or relevant previous experience to create positive outcomes for clients and ∙ Determines the approach to individual counselling sessions within the CRCC philosophy, values and frameworks.
* Sets priorities and monitors workflow in areas of responsibility.
* Is responsible for their own workload management within the role and the broader context of the organisation.
* Position works under general direction from senior employees and reports to a Program Coordinator.
Leadership
* Develop and maintain external networks/relationships and collaborate with staff in key agencies regarding joint client or organisational outcomes
* Represent CRCC in meetings, forums and events as required including participation in CRCC community education activities – particularly in areas such as trauma, therapeutic frameworks, clinical counselling and victim response
* Work on projects as required which includes undertaking planning, coordination, implementation and administration.
* Actively participate in CRCC staff and team meetings.
* Maintain professional qualifications and receive supervision from clinical supervisors.
Crisis and Counselling Services
* Commence working within the crisis team, for initial on-boarding and training over a period of time as negotiated with your Supervisor.
* Provide crisis counselling, information, referral, advocacy and support services to women, children, young people, men and their supporters.
* Develop, coordinate and monitor case plans of CRCC clients including attendance at case conferences as appropriate to the role.
* As required attend crisis call outs to support people who have been sexually assaulted.
* Provide information, consultation and informal debriefing regarding issues related to client work.
* Support clients to navigate the criminal justice system and other legal or administrative systems.
* As required, plan, develop and facilitate education and training for a range of stakeholders on topics related to sexual violence.
Governance
* Write reports for external agencies, such as reports for the Family Court, Criminal Courts, Immigration, Housing, Centrelink and victim impact statements.
* Carry out other administrative and ad hoc tasks as directed.
All staff requirements
* Undertake a range of functions which require the application of high-level knowledge and skills to achieve results in line with organisational and team goals.
* Adhere to policies, procedures and established work practices.
* Exercise initiative and judgement.
* Demonstrate respect and work with diversity and difference in the workplace and in the community.
* Demonstrate self-awareness, resilience and commitment to personal development.
* Use positive interpersonal skills to gain the cooperation of clients, staff and other stakeholders.
* Monitor and interpret legislation, regulations and other documentation relevant to the role and organisation.
Key Performance Indicators
* Ensures client records are up to date.
* A majority of the employee’s clients report satisfactory progress with their therapeutic goals.
* Service provision data is collected, maintained and evaluated and used to improve service provision.
* Trends and issues identified from working with clients and external stakeholders are shared regularly with the management team to support CRCC/SAMSSA's broader advocacy role.
* Education and training is planned, developed and facilitated with positive feedback.
Selection Criteria
* Articulate knowledge and understanding of the abuses and consequences of sexual violence, within a feminist framework.
* Previous experience in providing counselling, information, referral, advocacy, group work and support services to people who have experienced interpersonal violence.
* Work independently within a team environment, to identify priorities, meet deadlines and to manage the workload.
* Ability or experience in presenting and delivering training to professional organisations and clients.
* Ability or experience in forming relationships and partnerships with other professional organisations and in working with other organisations toward joint goals.
* Demonstrated ability to work positively in a team to promote and model collaborative and respectful staff and client relationships.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Computer literacy including use of Word, email and information databases.
* The right to work in Australia
Desirable Requirements
Previous experience working in an advocacy or service delivery organisation
Current knowledge and experience of the ACT community services and women’s services in the ACT.
Qualifications
A qualified Social Worker, Psychologist or Counsellor with experience in a relevant field
Applications close on 3 March 2026
For further information please contact Human Resources Manager, Jana Turk on ****@crcc.org.au. Please do not send applications directly to the HR Manager.