Who is Rural Aid?

Rural Aid is Australia’s most trusted rural charity. Founded in 2015 on the back of the very successful “Buy a Bale” drought fundraising campaign of 2013, Rural Aid continues to provide critical support to farmers and rural communities when they need it most. More than 17,000 farmers ('Our Mates in the Bush'), have registered with Rural Aid, Australia wide.

Rural Aid’s vision is that farming and rural communities are safeguarded and supported to ensure their sustainability before, during and after natural disasters. Rural Aid is only able to provide support to farmers via our many programs due to the donations we receive from our generous community of supporters and corporate partners.

At Rural Aid our values guide our behaviour and are the foundation for how we do business. We are:

Empathetic & compassionate (in everything we do and everyone we deal with);

Transparent & accountable (being open, honest and outcomes focused);

Supported & empowered (to achieve community and personal growth);

Ambitious & adaptable (in order to find solutions to new and diverse challenges); and

Commercially responsible (to ensure the long-term future of the charity).

Compliance with our Code WH&S policies and procedures and contributing to and promoting a safe and healthy work environment is also paramount.

Our Opportunity:

We are seeking a professionally qualified, highly motivated and compassionate new team member to join our highly regarded National Mental Health & Wellbeing Team ('MHWB') in the important role of Counsellor / Community Representative (Western Queensland). This appointment will play a key role in supporting Rural Aid's coordinated & impactful efforts to support the Primary Producers of the WQ region, and their respective local communities, via a work-from-home hybrid model over the next three (3) years by;

Offering counselling support to farmers and farming families, while building trust and rapport, listening to their story and exploring how they are coping at present, assessing their safety and those around them.

Identifying options for further support for Farmers and facilitating access to relevant professional resources and referrals, when required.

Dividing your time between providing counselling on site with rural farmers ('on-farm'), remotely & also travelling to rural communities, representing Rural Aid at community events, agricultural shows and social activities. (Vehicle provided).

Assisting with the coordination of our operations in the WQ region, as our 'eyes and ears on the ground' to ensure local priorities are addressed and pressing needs are prioritised effectively.

Representing Rural Aid and its full range of services to individual clients and in consultation with community stakeholders.

Building a diverse network that facilitates our referral processes and further support to registered farmers and farming families.

Contributing to Rural Aid's local Community Development initiatives / programs; and,

Supporting disaster recovery responses with a focus on farming families and their wellbeing.

About You / Applicant Requirements

Degree qualification in Counselling, Social Work or Psychology and holding current registration with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or your relevant professional (recognised) Registration Body.

Minimum of 2-3 years of proven experience as a Registered Counsellor, ideally in the local and/or broader Western Qld region to ensure familiarity with the unique territory of the role.

An understanding of the following therapeutic approaches: Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and experience in group facilitation with children and young people.

Experience working in rural community-based organisations, existing knowledge of community development principals and also First Aid qualifications are all highly relevant and will be highly regarded; plus,

Current valid Australian Driver's License and willingness to traverse the local outback region. [Essential].

Benefits for the successful candidate:

This is a great opportunity to have a significant positive impact on the community & region in which you live.

This role will replicate our existing model to deliver support to Primary Producers and communities around Charleville, Cunnamulla, Thargominda & Quilpie and potentially eastward to Roma & St George, servicing multiple Western Qld locations ensuring significant variety, plenty of travel and a unique 'workplace'. We would therefore welcome applications from suitable candidates currently based either within, around or adjacent to these locations.

This is a hybrid / work from home role with a requirement for planned regular regional travel (including overnight stays) to visit your clients, support disaster recovery, attend Community events, plus deliver group programs and training.

Fully maintained Rural Aid 4WD vehicle will be provided for work purposes & limited personal use.

As a registered Charity - we have salary sacrificing (or ‘packaging’) options available to our employees for fixed personal expenses (such as Mortgage, Utility bills etc.)

If this opportunity sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information on our organistion and the services we provide to Farmers & farming communities, please visit www.ruralaid.org,.au

Please submit your application using the ‘Apply Now’ button, and include a Resume, plus a brief cover-letter outlining your interest, most-relevant experience and why you would like to help 'Our Mates in the Bush'.

Please note: You will be required to undertake (or hold) a Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and also standard Police History Clearance Check to commence in this role.