Domestic Family Violence (DFV) Specialist - Opportunity to Make a Difference

About Us

Relationships Australia Queensland (RAQ) is a leading provider of relationship and family support services.  We believe healthy relationships are essential for the well-being of children, families and communities.  We are committed to offering the best possible counselling, mediation, education and support services, and are committed to social justice and inclusion. Find out more about our values, benefits and employee experience by watching this video!

About the Role

We are currently seeking applications for the multiple part-time (30 hours per week) role of Domestic Family Violence (DFV) Specialist within a newly established Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Co-Response Service located at Cairns. This is a fixed term contract until June 2026.

The purpose of this role is to provide crisis intervention and early intervention when co-responding to Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) incidents with the Queensland Police Service (QPS).  This will include addressing immediate client crisis and safety needs, and short-term client follow-up offering DFV risk assessment, safety planning and referral.

The key responsibilities of this position include:

• Provide a DFV, culturally appropriate and trauma-informed intake with clients at a DFV incident and at short-term follow-up.
• Provide crisis interventions and immediate safety planning to support the immediate needs of victim-survivors and persons using violence, including ensuring the safety of children
• Using approved DFV assessment protocols such as the CRASF, conduct DFV risk assessments to identify the victim-survivor, user of violence, and person(s) most in need of protection.
• Provide early intervention and brief DFV counselling, time-limited follow up and brief collaborative case management to identify, assess, and case plan with the client (victim-survivors and / or persons using violence) to meet their broader range of support needs,
• Participate in local Community Coordinated Response networks involving the Queensland Police Service, local magistrates, and non-government organisations.
• Provide specialist advice and assistance to QPS to enable them to exercise the discretion to charge the person using violence with a criminal offence or issue a Police Protection Notice. 
• Engage in collaborative debriefing and reflective practice with QPS to continually improve DFV incident responses.   

About You

To be successful in this position, you will possess

• Degree Qualified in a Human Services related field and/or relevant industry experience.
• Membership of a relevant Professional body (or the eligibility to apply) 
• Experience providing advocacy, information, referral and/or counselling to women or other family members affected by DFV
• Minimum five year’s relevant experience in the human services area (e.g. Psychology, Mediation, Counselling, Social work).
• Experience in direct service delivery with a service complying with the DFV Practice Principles, Standards and guidance along with Perpetrator Intervention Service Requirements.
• A good knowledge of the DFV service response system and services, especially in the context of the catchment area
• A good general knowledge of the legal system (e.g., Court process and procedure involved in making an application for a Domestic Violence Protection Order
• Understanding of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act (2012), Child Protection Act 1999, and other relevant legislation
• Demonstrated understanding of the similarities and differences in DFV risk assessment and management when working with victim-survivors and users of violence
• Ability to work on a rotating shift roster with on-call, regular weekends and evenings required to meet operational requirements of the role.
• Weekend shifts incur generous penalty rates. 

What We Can Offer You

The salary being offered is $93,089.74 to $97,300.85 per annum pro rata, to be negotiated depending upon qualifications and experience, plus superannuation. We also offer our employees as follows

• Work-life balance and flexible working hours
• Additional one-week Annual Leave working over 10 weekend shifts
• Additional annual leave over the Christmas period, annual leave loading and study leave
• A supportive team environment and opportunity for professional development
• Salary packaging options available of up to $15,900, which will significantly increase the value of take-home pay
• Paid parental leave and additional benefits such as medical insurance discounts

How to Apply

Click Apply now to send us your resume and a cover letter outlining your demonstrated experience.

Please note that we will be reviewing applications as they’re received, so we encourage you to submit your application if you are interested!

Applications close at 4pm on 4 June 2024.