Switchboard Victoria: First Nations Coordinator
Michael Barnett OAM
First Nations Coordinator
Job description
Switchboard Victoria is based on the lands of the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples.
We acknowledge that our work takes place on lands that are under colonial occupation and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We hope to pay our deepest respects to Boon Wurrung elders, past and present, and wish to extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across this Country we know as Australia.
Please note that this is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under 'special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.
About Switchboard Victoria (Inc.)
Switchboard Victoria is a community-based, not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer driven support services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) people and their friends, families and allies.
Our current activities include:
- Phone and web counselling and referral – Switchboard is the Victorian partner in the national QLife service. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships.
- Community connections for older LGBTI+ people – Switchboard’s Pride in Ageing program works to tackle ageism and strengthen social inclusion and community connection for older LGBTI+* Victorians. The Out and About peer visiting program builds friendship and connection between LGBTI+ seniors living anywhere in Victoria through regular volunteer visits.
- Rainbow Door - is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family, and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing.
- Suicide prevention - research and development of suicide prevention resources and programs for LGBTIQA+ communities.
- QTIBPoC Programs - The QTIBPoC programs aim to build greater equity for Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k, Indigenous and/or People of Colour and People of Faith. In consultation with key stakeholders, Switchboard’s QTIBPoC Programs will build internal capacity to meet QTIBPoC community needs and extend into targeted services.
- Training Program – Switchboard delivers a range of training to the community and service sector organisations. Trainings offerings include LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice, How to Recognise and Respond to F/IPV, How to Talk About Suicide Safely, Everyday Racism in the Workplace and Peer Support Training. Staff are accredited to deliver LivingWorks programs ASIST and safeTALK.
- Rainbow Families - Connecting and supporting LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and their families. Supporting services to develop and deliver rainbow family-inclusive better practice across Victoria.
Position details
Organisation: Switchboard Victoria (Inc)
Employment type: Fixed-term until Dec 31st, 2027; Part-time, 0.8 FTE, 60.8 hours per fortnight
Classification & remuneration: Social and Community Services Employee, Level 6 Pay Point 1 as per the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010.
Tax benefit available from salary sacrifice, package of up to $15,899.
Location: Victorian Pride Centre, 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
Other offices of Switchboard Victoria in Melbourne’s inner north Switchboard has a hybrid work policy, some remote work is permitted. Applicants must:
reside in Melbourne;
reside in greater Victoria and be willing to commute to Melbourne on work days, or
be willing to relocate to Melbourne on successful appointment.
Reports to: Racial Equity and Inclusion Manager
Direct reports: N/A – no direct reports
About QTIBPoC Programs and Relational Accountability to Rainbow mob
The Switchboard QTIBPoC (Queer, Trans, Intersex, and Bla(c)k and/or people of colour) program aims to build connection and equity for LGBTIQA+ people who are Bla(c)k and/or Indigenous and/or people of colour and people of faith. Throughout its history, the program has run events, workshops and training to support these objectives.
Since 2017, the team has grown to include three roles. The team is managed by the Racial Equity and Inclusion Manager and includes the First Nations Lead along with this role.
At Switchboard we are on a long journey of being accountable to upholding the white supremacy system through our actions and inactions whilst privileging from this system on stolen land as White/Settler Australians. We understand First Nations people are not the problem. Through this journey of backing Rainbow mob’s self-determination, we are attempting to hold space for truth telling and accountability to racism and colonial load in alignment with Switchboards Anti Racism Organisational Change Plan (AROC).
This position will work closing with the First Nations Lead to back Rainbow mob across so called Victoria grounded in VACCHO’s ‘Rainbow Mob are My Mob’ best practice model.
Position overview
The First Nations Coordinator will sit within the QTIBPoC Program and be a direct report to the Racial Equity and Inclusion Manager. As a First Nations identified position, this role will work closely with and be backed by the First Nations Lead which will involve cultural yarning and holding cultural responsibility to this position.
This role will seek to build visibility, strength and connection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQAS&B+ people through the design and delivery of external events and through targeted partnership work with First Nations people and stakeholders, including Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations.
Switchboard recognises that this position will generate colonial load from working within colonial structures. Switchboard strives to listen and meaningfully respond in a timely manner to racism experienced by First Nations people and to support self-determined approaches to the work.
As part of the broader QTIBPoC Program, this role will also contribute to building equity and strengthening connections among QTIBPoC across so-called Victoria. This will be achieved through collaborative design and delivery of events and initiatives, such as the mini grants program.
This position will mainly work weekdays; however, some weekend work will be required. This position will include occasional travel across so-called Victoria.
About the successful candidate
To be successful in this role, you will have experience in building community networks and relationships across different sectors and working in collaborative ways to bring people together. You will have demonstrated experience in First Nations storytelling, documenting and working in strength-based ways.
You will have an understanding and ability to talk to concepts like intersectionality and anti-racism and have experience designing and delivering content that builds understanding of these concepts.
Strong program coordination skills are necessary to produce project plans, reports and training materials. You will have good time management and organisation skills. You must be committed to supporting and building a positive and healthy workplace culture where staff and volunteers feel supported, valued, and recognised. You will have excellent communication (written and verbal) and relationship management skills.
Switchboard actively encourages and fosters an inclusive workplace. We encourage and welcome applications from Rainbow mob who are trans, gender diverse and/or intersex; disabled; carers; live with HIV; and/or people of faith.
All Switchboard employees must be committed to Switchboard’s purpose, vision, values, and principles, and to working collaboratively and respectfully.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
- Support and build the vision, visibility and reach of the program with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and QTIBPoC communities across Victoria.
- Support the establishment and/or growth of meaningful, respectful, and collaborative relationships with Aboriginal Health and Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisations and key stakeholders in Victoria to support the organisation to establish stronger referral pathways for Rainbow mob.
- Co-create and co-facilitate workshops and events based on community needs in partnership with key stakeholders.
- Work alongside the Racial Equity & Inclusion Manager and the First Nations Lead in line with our strategic priorities, Switchboard’s Antiracism Organisational Change plan and grounded in VACCHO’s Rainbow Mob Are Our Mob Best Practice Model.
- Contribute to QTIBPoC program initiatives, including the collaborative design and delivery of events, capacity‑building activities, and community‑led projects
- Contribute to planning, program reviews, policy, advocacy and evaluation within the team
- Work within intersectional feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive organisational guidelines, and practice frameworks
- Represent Switchboard at relevant networks and forums.
- Other duties as directed by Management.
Key Selection criteria
Essential
- Experience working in Aboriginal communities, particularly with social and emotional well-being Aboriginal health workers, and Aboriginal community development.
- An understanding of the issues that may impact Rainbow mob, their families and communities and an awareness of the key barriers these communities may face in accessing LGBTIQA+ services.
- An understanding of the issues that may impact QTIBPoC people, their families and communities and awareness of key barriers these communities may face in accessing LGBTIQA+ services.
- A commitment to and understanding of what it means to take an anti-racist approach to working with migrant, refugee and First Nations communities.
- Experience in building meaningful connection and engagement with community, specifically QTIBPoC communities, multicultural and multifaith communities or First Nations communities.
- Experience in targeted community event planning and program design.
- Excellent organisation and communications skills (written and verbal) including demonstrated skills and ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with people who identify as QTIBPoC.
- Demonstrated ability to be self-directed, to work independently and as an active team member.
Desirable
- Experience in the development and delivery of training content on relevant topics or issues such as anti-racism, intersectionality, cultural safety and/or cultural awareness.
- Experience in working in a phone-based support service and/or in key community services fields such as family violence, sexual assault, mental health, suicide prevention or drug and alcohol services.
- A current Australian driver's licence (or equivalent) and access to a vehicle.
- Experience in the production of resources and other communication tools.
To find out more and apply
Please carefully review the selection criteria for this position, which you should systematically address in your application, along with a cover letter and your resume listing all relevant employment and volunteer experience and qualifications.
For more information please contact the Racial Equity and Inclusion Manager, Monique H and/or the First Nations Lead, Jean McMahon.
Moni...@switchboard.org.au or Jean.m...@switchboard.org.au using the subject line: First Nations Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs.
Switchboard Victoria is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and will consider all qualified applicants, regardless of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability or national origin. Switchboard especially welcomes and encourages applications from people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; trans, gender diverse or intersex; disabled; carers; live with HIV, are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), People of Colour and/or People of Faith; identify with having lived experiences of suicide and mental ill-health.
Find out more about working at Switchboard at http://www.switchboard.org.au/
Applications for this role will take you to the employer’s site.
Job Summary
- SCHADS Award Level 6.1 ($55.72/hour), Superannuation 11.5%, tax benefit from salary sacrifice package of up to $15,899
- Applications close: 11:59 PM AEST, 18th Jun 2026
- Job posted on: 29th May 2026
- Melbourne > St Kilda