Recruiting Referral List Officers – volunteer

POSITION PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION

One of the core activities that the disability sector relies upon Touching Base to provide is a comprehensive and up-to-date referral list. Referral List Officers have the critical role of providing referrals to people with disability and support staff and responding to enquiries via phone or email regarding referrals.

Touching Base Referral List Officers are required to handle unique enquiries of a highly personal and sensitive nature. They may also be required to address sexual issues that may be challenging for the person making the enquiry to communicate about.

Additional duties may include:

Preparation of correspondence
Distribution of communications
Logging of activities
Liaising with our Referral List Database Manager to maintain up-to-date contact details for sex workers and brothels in draft replies
Other duties as requested by management, relevant to the effective operation of the referral list

Hours required and location

The time involved in performing this role can be expanded depending on your availability, but we would require a minimum of up to 3 hours a week.

As the work of the Referral List Database Manager is all conducted online or over the phone, you can be based anywhere in Australia, providing you have reliable internet and phone connections.

Reports to:

Operations Manager

SKILLS, COMPETENCIES, QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Essential

As a key contact person you’ll need the capacity to field enquiries from disabled people, support staff, health workers and other stakeholders and liaise with management when necessary.
At least an intermediate knowledge about different levels and types of communication within the disability sector
excellent organisational and time management skills including the ability to prioritise work and content
excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written)
intermediate skills in using Gmail and web browsers
ability to exercise mature judgement, tact, diplomacy and empathy
ability to work independently and in the team setting
ability to maintain records regarding daily tasks
ability to handle confidential and sensitive material with discretion
fluent in English
ability to foster and maintain excellent client relations
ability to assist nervous people become more at ease
a good understanding of both sex worker issues and the diversity of the sex industry and also a good understanding of people with disability, especially in regards to discrimination and barriers both communities face

Desirable

Intermediate knowledge of databases
training in communication around sexual matters
preferably a peer person with disability and/or a sex worker to maximise personal insights into the core aspects of our work
a second language

We look forward to all applications and particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, current or former sex workers and the LGBTIQA+ community to apply.

How to apply?

Applications can be emailed to: Saul Isbister via president@touchingbase.org

Your application must include:

Your written response to the Essential Criteria, explaining how and what you have done before. You do not need to address every essential criteria point in your written response, but it is expected you will be able to meet the criteria.

Please also include:

Your phone number and email address, and
The names, phone numbers and email addresses of 2 referees we can contact to confirm your eligibility and suitability for the role.

Touching Base endorses The Uluru Statement from the Heart and acknowledges First Nations as the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia, their diversity, histories and knowledge, and their continuing connections to land and community. As Australians all, we respect our nation’s First Peoples, their cultures, and Elders of past, present and future generations.