Applications Are Invited for the Position of Disability Advocate (Part Time 0.5)

Applications are invited for the position of Disability Advocate (part time 0.5)

at the Disability Resources Centre.

______Position Description______

Disability Advocate for Adults with Disabilities

Melbourne Metropolitan Area

Part Time (0.5)

Classification: Employment in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010, Social and Community Services Employees, Community Development Worker Class Level 5.3 .

Salary Range (depending on qualifications and experience)

$33.17 per hour, $65,525 p.a. pro-rata to $35.80 per hour,$70,740 p.a. pro-rata

Salary packaging is available

Hours: 19 hrs/week

Working days: preferably Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday butnegotiable.

Location:Flinders Lane Melbourne CBD (Ross House)

Accountability: The worker will be accountable to the Committee of Management through the Executive Officer.

Background: The Disability Resources Centre Inc. (DRC) is a membership-driven organisation managed & staffed by people with disabilities. We are currently funded to provide individual advocacy for adults with disability in the Melbourne metropolitan area, and the outer South-East metropolitan area. We also work on systemic issues and conduct and support campaigns, which aim to provide long-term benefits for many people. From time to time, we hold public forums to discover the issues that matter most to people with disabilities.

Duties:

Individual and Self Advocacy Support

Represent and / or assist adults with disabilities to represent their own views, needs and expectations to disability service providers, mainstream service providers, governments, statuary authorities, and other bodies as required.

Provide co-ordinated individual advocacy, which may include:

• accessing and providing information to people with disabilities, regarding their rights and participation in community life,
• responding to request for advocacy from individuals or groups,
• negotiating advocacy goals and strategies with individuals or groups,
• implementing agreed actions in a timely manner with genuine commitment to the person or group,
• regularly reviewing and evaluating advocacy goals and strategies with individuals or groups,
• providing assistance to individuals or groups to support their own advocacy efforts
• attending meetings with clients in the office and travelling to meetings eg in clients’ homes located throughout a large target area, community locations, and Melbourne CBD,
• supporting clients to speak for themselves in various situations,
• assisting individuals to make complaints, apply for programs or services etc or undertake these activities on their behalf, and
• making verbal and/or written submission to service providers, government departments and tribunals etc.

Systemic Advocacy / Community Support

The primary focus of this position is to provide Individual Advocacy. However the Advocate may be requested to:

• identify barriers that prevent access to community based lifestyles for adults with disabilities,
• assist others with development and implementation of proactive campaign strategies to eliminate identified barriers and improve access to community based opportunities, and
• network with individuals, disability groups, advocacy providers, and key people in the community.

Administration

• prepare reports and maintain statistics as directed by the Executive Officer / Committee of Management, and as required by the contract service agreement,
• generate, maintain, and review consumer files, and
• in conjunction with the Executive Officer and Committee of Management ensure compliance with the relevant contracts, policies, standards and legislation.

Other Duties

• complete other duties as may be directed by the Executive Officer / Committee of Management, or which may be required from time to time to achieve organisational or position specific objectives.

Conditions of Employment

Employment will be in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010, Community Development Worker.

Travel: Travel throughout the Metropolitan Area will be required, and possibly occasionally within the State. Reasonable approved travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the Award.

Other Relevant Information

Permanent employment is subject to a probationary period of six months on commencement and ongoing funding.

A satisfactory Police Check will be required.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

• Direct experience of disability, and an understanding of disability issues for others living in the community.
• Demonstrated commitment to the rights and empowerment of people with a disability.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written. Able to communicate effectively with people with a wide range of disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, with minimum supervision, and to be self-motivated, as well as an ability to work well in a team.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to travel throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area.

Desirable

• Prior experience of disability advocacy, or a relevant tertiary qualification.
• Practical knowledge of the disability advocacy sector, relevant legislation, and enforcement processes.
• Links to the non-English speaking background area.

People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

On the job training and mentoring may be available for a suitable applicant.

Applications, which should address the key selection criteria, should be sent DRC Chairperson, Frank Hall-Bentick by thecob Friday 22nd July 2017.

Email:

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