Principal Student Counsellor

• Student Affairs Division

• HEW level 7

• Full time continuing position

• Closing date 3 October 2022 at 11.00pm AEST (R-13454)

About This Opportunity  

The Principal Student Counsellor provides mental health and general counselling interventions for enrolled students, as well as running workshops, groups and other educational programmes.  They also develop online educational materials, and prevention and intervention activities, primarily related to mental health and wellbeing.

This role may also contribute to the work of the Sexual Misconduct Support Unit in supporting members of the UQ community who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment that might be affecting their studies at UQ.

Primary Purpose of Position

To provide mental health and general counselling interventions for enrolled students, as well as running workshops, groups and other educational programmes.  The Student Counsellor will also develop online educational materials, and prevention and intervention activities, primarily related to mental health and wellbeing. This role may also contribute to the work of the Sexual Misconduct Support Unit in supporting members of the UQ community who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment that might be affecting their studies at UQ.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Undertake appropriate interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of students. This may include assessments, counselling, and brief therapy, in group, individual, and online environments.

• Undertake appropriate interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of members of the current UQ Community who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment.

• Conduct small and large group programs, workshops or seminars on a range of personal concerns.

• Conduct mental health university community education and outreach activities

• Provide appropriate short- to medium term evidence based assistance to students to facilitate their appropriate engagement with a program of study and/or refer students with long-term or complex needs to an appropriate service

• Prepare, in conjunction with others, appropriate resource materials for students for delivery in a range of formats including on-line and web-enabled information

• Liaise with University staff on matters affecting student development

• Undertake administrative activities including record keeping, correspondence and evaluation

• Any other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor

Other

Ensure you are aware of and comply with legislation and University policy relevant to the duties undertaken, including but not exclusive to:

• the University’s Code of Conduct

• requirements of the Queensland occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation and related OH&S responsibilities and procedures developed by the University or Institute/School

• the adoption sustainable practices in all work activities and compliance with associated legislation and related University sustainability responsibilities and procedures

• requirements of the Education Services  for Overseas Students Act 2000, the National Code 2007 and associated legislation, and related responsibilities and procedures developed by the University

Organisational Relationships

The position reports to the Senior Manager, Student Counselling.

Student Affairs

Student Affairs works across the UQ community to engender a positive environment and experience for UQ students. This includes pursuing strategies and activities to strengthen the quality of the overall student experience, and students’ sense of belonging, and providing a range of support services that effectively meets the needs of the UQ student population. Student Affairs also facilitates access to enriching experiences that help students reflect UQ graduate attributes and enhance their employability.

About You

Essential

• A degree in psychology, behavioural science or counselling and at least 4 years subsequent experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Commitment to the Code of Ethics of the Australian Psychological Society or the Australian Association of Social Workers or a similar professional body

• Understanding of developmental theories, psychological disorders and appropriate interventions, community education and public mental health 

• Demonstrated effectiveness in the delivery of evidence-based counselling and therapy at both the individual and group level

• A demonstrated ability to design and deliver group presentations related to student development, mental health and wellbeing

• Familiarity in interacting with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds

• Considerable practical experience in dealing with people negotiating transitional issues

• Experience in both specialist and generalist counselling

• Ability to work co-operatively and supportively as a member of a team.

• Capacity to make sound judgements and provide advice

Desirable

• An understanding of the issues and challenges confronting students undertaking higher education studies in a leading teaching and research-intensive institution

• Experience in specialist counselling relating to sexual assault / sexual harassment

• General knowledge of the Australian higher education sector is desirable

• A commitment and capacity to maintain currency of professional knowledge as well as trends and changes in student learning

• Mandarin speaking is preferred.

What We Can Offer  

 This is a continuing full-time position at HEW level 7

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $90,538.40 to $98,719.38 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $105,929.92 to $115,501.67 per annum.  

The following flexible employment options may be available for this role; ​Part time work. 

For further information about UQ’s benefits, please visit Why Work at UQ  and review The University of Queensland’s Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2018-2021 .  

 Questions?  

To discuss this role please contact Sheldon Pace at s.pace@uq.edu.au .

For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au  stating the job reference number in the subject line.  

 Want to Apply?  

All applicants must supply the following documents:  

• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section   

• Resume  

Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box labelled ‘resume’, which is step one of the application form.

To satisfy pre-requisite questions and ensure your application can be considered in full, all candidates must apply via the UQ Careers portal by the job closing deadline. Applications received via other channels, including direct email, will not be accepted.  

About The Selection Process  

The University of Queensland is committed to ensuring all candidates are provided with the opportunity to attend the panel interviews, however, for those candidates who are unable to attend in person, video interview options will be available.     

Other Information  

Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.  

Blue card: All final applicants for this position will need to demonstrate a right to work with persons under 18.

Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

We value diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage applications from those who bring diversity to the University. Our Diversity and Inclusion webpage  contains further information if you require additional support. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to recruitment@uq.edu.au .

If you are a current employee of the University, or hold an unpaid or affiliate appointment with the University, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.