Description:
ABOUT US
The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia's largest and most-loved charities. We believe in doing good that transforms lives and futures for the better. It is this belief which drives us to find new ways and places where we can make a difference. From times of personal crisis to moments of national grief, we are always here — providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.
The Salvation Army is a Christian movement dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus. We share the love of Jesus by:
• Caring for people
• Building healthy communities
• Creating faith pathways
• Working for justice
The Salvation Army is one of Australia’s largest and most-loved charities, helping Australians find hope amid personal hardship. On average, The Salvation Army helps a person through our network of services and programs across Australia every 17 seconds.
Volunteer with the Salvos
It takes an army of volunteers to provide and enable practical care for Australians every year. Volunteers bring life to our values of integrity, compassion, respect, diversity and collaboration.
We are always looking for individuals to bring fresh energy and ideas to a range of volunteer roles. Whatever your skillset, availability or areas of interest, you may surprise yourself with the different ways you can make a difference.
Volunteering is an invitation to demonstrate care for others in our local communities; it is the everyday embodiment of love in action. Those who give up their time so freely are some of the greatest contributors and advocates of Salvation Army mission and vision. It is through working alongside one another that transformation is possible. Not only do we focus on the transformative experience of service recipients and local communities, but also of our volunteers.
The Salvation Army is a Child Safe Organisation and takes this commitment very seriously. Therefore, all child-facing volunteer roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Other roles may require a police check.
The Salvation Army Australia is also an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We do this through our commitment to reconciliation together with First Nation people, as well as inclusion of all cultures, languages, abilities, gender expressions and intersex status. Representing our largest workforce type, volunteers have access to many and varied development opportunities, employment pathways and training. For more information, including The Salvation Army’s position on Reconciliation, Diversity, and Inclusion, go to: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/
The Salvation Army ‘Doorways’ community support model engages people at their point of need in a holistic way that is missional, relational and professional. Doorways provides support to community members through financial and material emergency relief, along with casework to help them to find long-term solutions.
Primary a frontline role, the Doorways Community Connector is usually the first person a community member meets when they walk through the door. First impressions count - a welcoming smile and offers of refreshments help community members feel safe and accepted. Doorways Community Connectors are integral in creating a friendly environment as well as helping to connect them with support services and community activities.
About the role
The Salvation Army community support model engages people at their point of need in a holistic way that is missional, relational and professional. We provide support to community members through financial and material emergency relief, along with casework to help them to find long-term solutions.
The Marion Community Connector is key to the smooth running of our centre, providing the first point of contact and initial support for our visitors. The role brings a variety of reception activities such as welcoming clients and answering calls, as well as some administrative support to the team. First impressions count - a welcoming smile and offers of refreshments help community members feel safe and accepted. The Marion Community Connectors are integral in creating a friendly environment whilst, where required, assisting people to connect with support services and community activities.
Key tasks and responsibilities
Build rapport
- The Marion Community Connectors takes a genuine interest in each person who comes on site, striking up conversations with a friendly smile and warm welcome. They offer refreshments and a chance to connect over a cuppa to help community members to relax.
Program Support
- Marion Community Connectors work across all site-based aspects of support which may include community connections, distribution of pre-allocated financial and material assistance, referral to spiritual support and other services, programs or activities.
- Bring your dynamic organisational skills to respond to incoming calls and greeting of visitors, whilst also using those quieter times to complete various administrative tasks.
- Apply your IT skills to using online systems for information entry and retrieval.
- Bring your attention to detail, professionalism and integrity to ensure that confidentiality is adhered to at all times.
Qualifications and skills (desired/required)
- Essential for the role is an interest in meeting new people, bringing sensitivity and empathy to all interactions.
- Desirable previous experience for the role is customer service or connecting with people in a community support setting.
Capabilities and personal attributes
Manage Self: Shows personal motivation and commitment to completing work activities effectively; regulates own behaviour and responds appropriately in all circumstances; receives and responds to constructive advice.
Co mmunicate Effectively: Allows others time to speak; listens when they are speaking and asks appropriate, respectful questions; is aware of own non-verbal cues; focuses on key points and uses simple words to build mutual understanding.
Work Collaboratively: Works as a supportive and cooperative team member, shares information and acknowledges the contribution and support of others.
Background check requirements
Background checks play an important part in our commitment to being a safe organisation. Where an applicant has disclosable history, the selection process includes a fair assessment and a risk management approach. Collection of personal information is handled per our privacy and confidentiality policies. Below is what is required for this role:
- As this role has access to personal details, it will require a Police Check and a Working With Children/Vulnerable People Check.
Training Requirements
One of the many ways we care for people is by ensuring our workers are well equipped with the necessary knowledge to complete their role safely. To successfully undertake this role, the following training is required
- Introduction to The Salvation Army, code of conduct training, work-safe and child-safe practices.
- Volunteer site and role induction
- Additional training made available to volunteers include introduction to the Doorways Model of Care and other role specific learning such as dealing with difficult people and confidentiality training.
Work Health and Safety (WHS) considerations
We take Work Health Safety and well-being seriously at The Salvation Army. We want to ensure volunteers are informed and aware of key safety considerations. For this role, key considerations include:
- Periods of standing and physical lifting and carrying - volunteers will be required to wear closed toe, sturdy shoes.
- Potential inactions with stressed community members - completion of specific training will be required before starting in the role.
Other WHS considerations will be covered during the induction.
Background checks requirements may change time to time if legislations or TSA requirements change.
Training requirements may change time to time. Your line manager will notify you if any additional training may be required for your role.
Development opportunities with this role
This role will give volunteers an opportunity to develop customer service skills and build experience in the area of community support. Additionally, there will be access to a range of training opportunities and insight to the work of a large not-for-profit faith-based organisation with expressions in many different areas of society.
Time Required & Commitment
- As agreed with manager
- Preferred commitment 1-2 days per week, open to negotiation
- Centre opening times
- Mon – Thurs – 8.30am – 3.00pm
- Friday 8.30am – 12.00pm
The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. W e are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child related roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Additionally, certain volunteer roles may require a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.