Intake Advocate, Independent Mental Health Advocacy

Title: Intake Advocate, Independent Mental Health Advocacy

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Job Description:

Work Type: Ongoing - Part-time

Salary: $89,029 - $104,924

Grade: WVR 3.2

Occupation: Community services

Location: Barwon South West - Greater Geelong

Reference: VG/VLA/LPCJLH/1944776

Join the IMHA team in a role where you will educate and empower people to participate in decisions about their treatment and care.

• Part time (0.8 FTE) ongoing position
• Salary range: $89,029-$104,924 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role
IMHA is a non-legal advocacy program that is staffed and led by professionals with mental health consumer experience and/or backgrounds in community development, consumer advocacy, mental health advocacy, community sector advocacy, social work, mental health service provision or other similar fields. The position works as part of the IMHA intake team, on a 7-day rotating roster with weekend and public holiday work required.  

You will provide services to consumers at risk of or subject to compulsory treatment orders and assist consumers to understand and exercise their rights to enable them to participate in decisions about their treatment, care, and recovery, including coaching for self-advocacy and referrals.  

This role can be based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country or Geelong office on Wadawurrung Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with an ability to quickly build trust and rapport with a diverse range of consumers and internal and external stakeholders.  
• A deep understanding of the challenges impacting Victorians when accessing mental health support services, and an ability to ‘stand up' on behalf of consumers.  
• A flexible, patient and supportive approach while remaining transparent. You will be a creative problem solver.  
• Candidates should have experience in one or more areas including community development, consumer advocacy, mental health advocacy, community sector advocacy, social work, mental health service provision or other similar fields.   

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

About IMHA and VLA
IMHA is Victoria's mental health advocacy service and responsible for the Opt Out register. We provide services across Victoria to people at risk of or subject to compulsory treatment and work with the mental health and wellbeing system to support consumers rights and recovery.

VLA offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy. With over 1400 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve.

Employee benefits

• A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model 
• Generous leave benefits, including:
  • Additional three days paid seasonal leave
  • Paid gender affirmation leave
  • Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
• Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
• Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Discounted annual Myki public transport passes
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.