Volunteer Community Support & Recovery Officer

This role requires travel to surrounding areas

Employment Type: Volunteer Emergency Relief

About Lifeline At Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland, we believe solid communities are built through connection, compassion and people looking out for one another.

For more than 50 years, we have worked alongside communities across our region, supporting people through difficult times and helping individuals, families and communities find connection, support and hope.

Our volunteers are an important part of this work.

You don't need to be a counsellor or have worked in community services before. You might be a farmer, retiree, parent, local businessperson, student, community member or simply someone who wants to give something back.

If you are a good listener, care about people and want to make a difference in your community, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role The Volunteer Community Support & Recovery Officer is a flexible role supporting Lifeline's work both within our local communities and during times of disaster or community recovery.

The role has two key areas of support:

Community & Peer Support

Volunteers may provide a welcoming and supportive presence within Lifeline shops, community spaces, events and outreach activities. This may include having a cuppa and a conversation with someone who needs connection, providing practical information, helping people identify available supports and linking them with appropriate Lifeline or community services.

This is not a counselling or case management role. Volunteers provide informal, compassionate support while working within clear boundaries and alongside Lifeline staff.

Community Recovery

During natural disasters, critical incidents or other significant community events, volunteers may also be deployed as part of Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland's Community Recovery response.

This may involve supporting individuals, families and communities affected by events such as floods, bushfires, drought or other emergencies. Volunteers provide Psychological First Aid, emotional and practical support, information and connections to recovery services.





Depending on community need, this component of the role may require travel to surrounding towns and affected communities.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteers may

- Provide a friendly, respectful and non-judgemental listening ear to people seeking connection or support.
- Help people identify appropriate services, resources and referral pathways.
- Provide information about Lifeline and other community supports.
- Assist people to access practical supports where available.
- Support community engagement, outreach activities and local events.
- Maintain appropriate boundaries and recognise when someone requires support from a qualified practitioner or another service.
- During community recovery responses, provide Psychological First Aid to assist in reducing initial distress and supporting people's natural coping and recovery.
- Distribute resources to help individuals and families understand and respond to loss, change and the impacts of disaster.
- Connect disaster-affected people with relevant recovery, referral and self-help resources.
- Work collaboratively with Lifeline staff, volunteers, government agencies and community organisations.
- Attend inductions, briefings, debriefings, team meetings and other activities relevant to the role.
- Accurately record required information, client contacts, referrals and emerging community needs using Lifeline's relevant systems.
- Participate in training and ongoing development to ensure safe, appropriate and effective support.

About You

We are looking for people who are approachable, compassionate and comfortable connecting with people from all walks of life.

You may be someone who already knows your local community well, has experience supporting others, or simply wants to give something back.

You will ideally





- Be a good listener who can communicate warmly and respectfully.
- Be comfortable talking with people who may be experiencing difficult circumstances.
- Understand the importance of confidentiality, boundaries and respectful practice.
- Be able to work as part of a team and follow guidance from Lifeline staff.
- Respect people from different cultural, socioeconomic and life backgrounds.
- Have an understanding of the strengths and challenges of rural and regional communities.
- Be willing to learn how to recognise distress and connect people with appropriate support.
- Be able to remain calm and supportive during challenging situations.
- Understand the importance of personal wellbeing, self-care and seeking support when required.

Requirements

- Current Queensland "C" class driver's licence where travel is required.
- Current Blue Card or ability to obtain one.
- Ability to obtain a National Coordinated Criminal History Check clearance prior to commencing.
- Willingness to participate in relevant induction, training and ongoing development.
- Ability to travel where required for Community Recovery deployments.
- Ability to work in varying environments and conditions during Community Recovery activities.

Training relevant to the volunteer role will be provided and may include Psychological First Aid, suicide prevention and intervention, trauma-informed practice, boundaries, referral pathways and Community Recovery processes.

Previous experience in community engagement, peer support, volunteering, human services, emergency response, farming or rural and regional communities is welcomed but not essential.

Most Importantly

You don't need to be a counsellor to care about your community.

Whether you have lived in the region your whole life, worked on the land, raised a family, volunteered with local organisations, supported neighbours through difficult times or simply believe in looking out for others, you may have something valuable to bring to this role.

We are looking for people who are willing to listen, learn, connect and be there when their community needs them.

📌 Volunteer Community Support & Recovery Officer (Toowoomba)
🏢 Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland
📍 Toowoomba