Employment Opportunities

Position: Tenancy Advocate - (delivering Queensland Statewide Tenants Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) program) - to advocate for, and provide advice and information to, tenants under Queensland rental laws 

Commitment: Part-time (30 hours per week)

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Award: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award  - Level 3 - 4 subject to training.

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IRASI is a small service based in Ipswich working to educate, empower and support persons to uphold their human rights. We work to provide access to an equitable quality service that empowers individuals through relevant advocacy, advice, information, and appropriate referral.  

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This role would suit someone completing or exiting tertiary study, who wants to improve social outcomes for our community members. IRASI has been delivering community supports for more than 30 years and provides ongoing professional and personal development for the team.

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We also provide access to Salary Sacrifice, professional supervision, and car parking on site.

ROLE Purpose- Tenancy Advocate

• Provide specific and relevant tenancy information, advice, guidance, and professional support for tenants under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 to help to resolve tenancy issues and prevent or reduce the risk of homelessness

• Facilitate self-advocacy by enhancing individual tenancy awareness, knowledge and skills

• Assist with related issues through referrals and links to appropriate services

ROLE Responsibilities

• Provide information, advice and advocacy to tenants and residents according to The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (The Act) 

• Guide tenants and residents through legal pathways of Notices, Dispute Resolution and the Queensland Civil Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) 

• Assist people at risk of homelessness to access appropriate Government, Community and Emergency based housing services through referrals and provision of advice and information.

• Assist tenants to connect with Disputes Resolution and Complaints processes through the Residential Tenancies Authority.

• Work collaboratively internally, and with our partners and stakeholders 

• Comply with program reporting requirements

• Contribute to program administration through accurate and timely collection and recording of data

• Follow policy and procedural guidelines relating to all operational and program matters

• Attend and participate in team, training, and professional development activities as agreed with Management

• Other duties as required

 

Our ideal candidate will be someone ready for a challenge, to work in a fast paced and intense environment, and will have the capacity to develop into a higher position in the future.

Short term skills development:

• Obtain thorough working knowledge and understanding of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008

• Develop experience working in tenant advocacy, housing, housing and homelessness, or other advocacy roles 

• Develop experience and skills in working with people experiencing complex life issues

• Develop experience referring clients to other agencies and maintaining interagency relationships 

• Develop good professional boundaries and understanding of professional ethics including privacy and confidentiality, and duty of care

• Understand and experience front line worker support through professional supervision.

Things to bring with you:

• Demonstrated high level communication skills and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated capacity to relate to tenants and other stakeholders with dignity and respect

• Demonstrated ability to think and act calmly and deal sensitively with distressed people, and in time sensitive situations, follow up self-care and help-seeking behaviours

• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and managing competing deadlines

• Understanding of the principles of duty of care, rights to privacy and confidentiality

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and willingness to participate in training as required (job specific training is provided on an ongoing basis)

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team

• Good computer skills, sound knowledge of Data management systems and Microsoft applications

 

Desired educational and professional qualifications

• Diploma, Certificate or Degree in a related area (eg social or community services) or other non-related tertiary qualification (desirable)

• Current Positive Notice Police Check or capacity to attain Positive Notice Police Check

• Current Working With Children Card-or capacity to attain prior to start

• Current QLD Positive Notice Disability Yellow Card-or capacity to attain

Work experience

• Previous experience working in a not-for-profit organisation would be highly valued

• Previous experience working in real estate, social services, or the housing and homelessness sector would be highly valued

To apply please submit a resume including references, and a cover letter outlining why you would be interested in this role and how you're best suited. Applications will be reviewed as submitted. Email to info@irasi.com.au.