• Part-time
• Contract to end of 2025

Avondale University is seeking applications for a Lead Clinical Counsellor, to join the Well-Being Center on the Lake Macquarie campus on a part-time basis, 30 hours per week, on a contract through the end of 2025. Hours may be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Be part of the transformation.

This important role is responsible for supporting students and staff by providing expert confidential counseling services. You will be responsible for contributing to the improvement of the well-being of the students and staff at Avondale.

What will you do?

Some of the main duties will include:

• Contribute to strategic planning and the development of counseling services, programs, and initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of students and staff.
• Manage and utilize the record management, filing, and reporting systems to maintain records, manage documentation, coordinate workflow, and collate reports, meeting deadlines with a high level of accuracy and compliance.
• Manage and coordinate the workflow of Well-Being Center counseling staff.
• Provide workplace supervision to internship counseling placements and contribute to developing, assessing, and providing feedback while ensuring a high level of care to clients.
• Clinical counseling is to be offered and provided in a caring, empathic manner that supports Avondale’s commitment to the pastoral care and well-being of all students and staff.
• To assist with providing triage and crisis intervention as needed, including liaison with Avondale campus security personnel, local area mental health providers, and internal and external service providers.

About you

To be successful in the Lead Clinical Counselor role, you will be a highly motivated individual with great interpersonal skills and the ability to listen and communicate effectively and support Avondale’s students and staff.

Essential criteria

• Appropriate qualifications in clinical counseling or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training, preferably in a higher education environment or comparable clinical setting.
• Demonstrated competence in counseling and group work with an understanding of counseling frameworks relevant to tertiary students. As well as competence in providing consultancy services to students and staff in pastoral and management roles to assist them in dealing with distressed and/or unwell students.
• Highly developed planning and organizational skills, with experience establishing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and cooperatively in a team environment and foster a culture of focused customer service and continuous improvement.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population of staff and students and to show competence in dealing with more complex case presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a counseling team and to provide contributions to policies and processes.
• A current Working With Children Check card is required.
• Support the mission, values, and ethos of Avondale

Other Job-Related Information

• The counselor must seek external supervision on a monthly basis for personal and clinical supervision of Avondale casework with a competent supervisor at Avondale’s expense.
• Maintain professional registration, provide evidence of current registration annually, and notify the supervisor of any changes to registration when they occur.
• Travel to Avondale’s Sydney campus at Wahroonga may be required.
• There may be a requirement to work additional hours from time to time.
• There may be peak periods of work during which taking leave may be restricted.

Why work at Avondale?

• Values-driven organization.
• Compressed working week with half-day Friday’s.
• Heavily discounted further study options.
• Discounted school fees for attendance at Adventist schools.
• Free access to Avondale Libraries.
• Café on Lake Macquarie Campus.
• Free access to onsite ovals, tennis courts, squash courts, and the auditorium on the Lake Macquarie campus during opening hours.

For further information about the role, please email Avondale University’s People and Culture Manager at jolisa.rabo@avondale.edu.au.

Email your application to employment@avondale.edu.au, including:

• A resume (four-page maximum)
• A statement addressing the selection criteria
• Contact details of three referees

Salary: Avondale Higher Education Worker Level 8 $53.85 – $62.13 per hour, plus superannuation.

Please note that we will be conducting interviews as applications come in, so please do not delay in submitting your application. Avondale also reserves the right to close applications early and appoint if a suitable candidate is found.

Applications close 27 March 27, 2025

^{Applicants must have the right to work in Australia. Avondale is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right to make a delayed appointment, not appoint, or appoint by invitation.}