The Intake Worker - Mental Health Lived Experience (MyndKind)

• Location: Mackay
• SCHADS Award-Level 3
• Fixed Term Part Time contract until 30/06/2026
• Salary sacrifice to maximise your take-home pay 
• Best Workplace award winner in 2025, 2023 and 2021, recognised for our positive culture and engaged people

WHO WE ARE

Footprints is a leading not-for-profit organisation with a proud history of working alongside people and communities to enhance wellbeing, independence and social connection. Established in 1991, we have grown into a multi-site service provider committed to excellence and innovation in person-led support, with a focus on older Australians and people experiencing mental health challenges. Through our wrap-around approach and partnerships across health, housing and community sectors, we deliver integrated services that create meaningful and lasting impact. Recognised as a Best Workplace Award winner, Footprints is guided by strong leadership, strategic collaboration and a shared commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities.

POSITION DETAILS

The Intake Worker - Mental Health Lived Experience is a key role within MyndKind, providing a welcoming and supportive first point of contact for clients accessing mental health services. This role draws on the worker?s lived experience of mental health challenges and/or experience using mental health services to foster a compassionate and empathetic environment, ensuring clients feel understood and supported from their very first interaction. The worker will manage front door responsibilities, conduct intake assessments, and connect individuals to appropriate services, tailored to their current needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Intake & Front Desk

• Greet clients with warmth and empathy, creating a welcoming environment.
• Manage front desk operations, including answering phones, responding to emails, and handling enquiries from clients or external organisations.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of client information.

Assessment

• Conduct initial intake interviews using lived experience to build rapport and trust.
• Assess clients' mental health needs and identify appropriate services and resources.
• Provide information about available mental health services and support programs.
• Collaborate with mental health professionals to develop individualised care plans.

Peer Support

• Share personal mental health experiences in a supportive, non-intrusive manner to normalise experiences for clients.
• Offer emotional support and encouragement, empowering clients to engage with services.

Crisis Intervention

• Provide immediate support for clients in crisis, including suicide risk assessments, safety planning, and connecting clients with emergency mental health services.

Advocacy & Referral

• Advocate for clients within the mental health system to ensure their needs are met.
• Refer clients to appropriate mental health professionals, community resources, or social services.
• Follow up with clients to ensure they are accessing services and address barriers to engagement.

Administrative & Documentation

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, including intake forms and progress notes.
• Coordinate with services to link clients effectively, reducing the need for clients to repeat their story.
• Assist with distribution of educational materials and resources.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development opportunities.

Community Engagement

• Represent the organisation at community events, promoting mental health awareness and services.
• Build and maintain relationships with local mental health organisations, service providers, and community groups.

Training & Capacity Building

• Participate in training programs, workshops, and peer support certification to enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Capacity to relate to clients from a perspective of having a lived experience of mental health challenges.
• Experience navigating or helping others navigate the mental health system.
• Ability to establish relationships and maintain appropriate boundaries with co-workers, clients, carers, and families.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, skills to work cooperatively with other staff as well as working independently.
• Deep understanding of personal and professional boundaries.
• Able to manage own self-care needs.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, and computer literacy.
• National Workers Screening check or current Yellow Card.

Desirable

• Cert VI in Mental Health Peer Work OR Relevant tertiary study in mental health, social work, psychology or a related field
• Current First Aid Certificate and CPR 
• Skills in counselling and motivational interviewing
• Experience in delivering psycho-social educational groups such as SMART Recovery, DBT etc
• Experience in Outreach community work
• Experience working with individuals with complex mental health support needs and individuals who are at risk of homelessness 

BENEFITS 

• Salary Packaging Benefits: Package up to $15,900 of your annual salary tax free.
• In addition, you can use up to $2,650 of your pre-tax income to pay for entertainment expenses (meals, holiday accommodation etc).
• Novated Leasing: Use your pre-tax income to buy a new or used car and save on the purchase price and running costs.
• Professional Development: We support career goals via ongoing training, professional development opportunities, regular check-ins and workshops.
• EAP: Access our Employee Assistance Program whenever you need it.
• Proudly recognised with a Best Workplace XREF Engage Award for 2025, 2023 & 2021, a wonderful acknowledgement of our positive culture and the dedication of our workforce to each other & the communities we support.

CLOSING DATE

Applications Close 02nd of March 2026

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. We thank you for your time and interest in working with Footprints. 

To learn more about Footprints and access a copy of the position description, please visit our website: https://footprintscommunity.org.au/work-with-us

CONTACT

For more information, please contact: Jane Matsen - Regional Manager ? Northern QLD on JaneM@footprintscommunity.org.au or 0481 601 899

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Footprints encourages applications from all people. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees, no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long-term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, Footprints strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position. Footprints Community acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and pays respect to Elders past and present, and thank them for their wisdom and guidance.