Introduction W oden Community Service is a non-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based services for over 50 years. Our vision of ‘A caring community where everyone belongs’ is achieved through our values of Inclusion, Compassion, Hope, Responsiveness, Integrity and Social Justice. We deliver services across the ACT covering children, families, young people and seniors including housing and mental health services. WCS is a child-safe organisation. Our staff and volunteers are required to uphold our commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children and young people. All suitable applicants will undergo rigorous screening processes, including WWVP clearances, criminal history checks, and reference checks. Description About the Role We are currently seeking a qualified and motivated Recovery Worker at Woden Community Service on a Temporary Part Time basis, who will be responsible for providing recovery-oriented support to individuals impacted by hoarding through intake, assessment, and short-term, goal-focused interventions across individual and group programs. The role includes in-home support, group facilitation, coordinated work with external stakeholders, and the delivery of safe, strengths-based and evidence-informed practices. This role is until June 2026 with the potential for extension. In this role, you will: • Manage referrals and conduct pre-screening, eligibility, and needs assessments to support safe and informed entry into HASS programs. • Deliver recovery-oriented, strengths-based and harm-minimisation support through short-term, goal-focused 1:1 and group programs. • Provide practical support in participants’ homes, including sorting, organising, cleaning, and decluttering in hoarding-impacted environments. • Co-facilitate group programs and training sessions, supporting participant engagement, learning, and safety. • Work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders, including ACT Housing, to ensure coordinated and effective support. • Maintain accurate documentation, risk assessments, and outcome measures in line with program and organisational requirements. • Contribute to flexible service delivery, continuous improvement, and reflective practice through teamwork, supervision, and feedback. Skills And Experiences To be successful for this role, you must possess the following: Certificate IV in Mental Health or equivalent qualification (e.g., Peer Work, Community Services, AOD). Full ACT driver’s licence and access to a comprehensively insured vehicle. Current First Aid certificate (or willingness to obtain during probation). Understanding of Hoarding Disorder and awareness of local referral pathways. Ability to undertake hands‑on work within HASS environments, including assisting with sorting, organising, cleaning and moving items in hoarding‑impacted homes. This includes working in confined or cluttered spaces and requires physical fitness, mobility and the ability to safely navigate tight areas. Knowledge of strengths-based, solution-focused, harm ‑ minimisation and recovery ‑ oriented approaches. Understanding of social justice principles and their application in community ‑ based mental health support. Awareness of professional boundaries, privacy, confidentiality and ethical behaviour. Experience providing direct, personalised mental health outreach, including information, referral, progress monitoring, and documentation. Demonstrated ability to build respectful, trust‑based relationships with people experiencing mental illness, distress, or complex needs, including families and carers. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage people who may be anxious, ambivalent or overwhelmed. Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information. Proven ability to work independently with limited supervision, while also contributing effectively to a small team and participating in reflective practice. Ability to work outside normal business hours if required Why work with Woden Community Services? Salary packaging option up to $15,899 per Fringe Benefits Tax year, with an additional Meals and Entertainment package available up to $2,650 per Fringe Benefits Tax year. Discounted fees to use WCS Children’s Services Programs. 15 days paid personal leave per annum (pro rata) for full & part-time employees. 24/7 nationally recognised Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including 3 additional holistic service sessions. Ongoing professional development and a supportive team environment. Enjoy exclusive discounts and everyday savings on essentials at leading Australian retailers such as Woolworths and Coles, all through our Flare Benefits program. Paid additional wellbeing day per calendar year. Applications may close once suitable candidates have been selected, don’t delay get your application in today! For more information, please contact: WCSCareers@wcs.org.au or Erin.Everett@wcs.org.au WCS s upports diversity and inclusion in all our workplaces. Applications are encouraged from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, people with a multicultural background, people who live with disability or members of the LGBTIQ community.
