Palmerston Association - Suicide Prevention Officer

Palmerston Association – Suicide Prevention Officer

About the Role

Here’s your opportunity to be part of a passionate, purpose-driven team that’s making a genuine difference every day.

📌 The Suicide Prevention Coordinator plays a key role in supporting the development and delivery of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention initiatives across local, community, and regional settings. Working in alignment with the Great Southern Regional Suicide Prevention Plan, the role focuses on strengthening coordinated responses, building community capacity, and supporting initiatives that promote wellbeing and reduce suicide risk throughout the region.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Support the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention activities in line with the current prevention plan.
• Work collaboratively with government, non-government and community stakeholders to identify local needs, priorities and coordinated responses.
• Support and coordinate stakeholder-led suicide prevention initiatives and partnerships at local, community and regional levels.
• Assist with the delivery of approved projects using sound project management principles, ensuring activities are delivered on time and within budget.
• Undertake needs assessments and support the coordination of training events, meetings and related activities.
• Contribute to reporting, promote culturally secure practice and occupational health and safety, and undertake other duties as required.

This role is classified at Level 5 under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.

This role requires confidence, compassion, and a steady presence. Working alongside vulnerable individuals means facing complex situations, high emotions, and occasional setbacks. That’s why we’re looking for someone who embodies compassion, connection, acceptance, and respect—someone who can offer unwavering support while maintaining the ability to navigate difficult moments with confidence and care. With a commitment to excellence in service, you’ll provide the stability and encouragement that empowers individuals on their journey toward change.

What We’re Looking For

You’re more than your qualifications—you’re someone who brings heart, empathy, professionalism and a strong commitment to supporting clients in improving their wellbeing. The ideal candidate will meet the following selection criteria:

• A tertiary qualification in health promotion, public health, or a related health or social science discipline.
• A sound working knowledge of public health prevention principles.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and evaluating community-based prevention and intervention initiatives.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively consult, coordinate, and liaise with a diverse range of stakeholders across various settings.
• Proven experience engaging respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, using a culturally competent approach.
• Experience working within a project management framework.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply these within project planning and delivery.
• Demonstrated understanding of alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues, particularly co-morbid mental health and AOD impacts on individuals, families, and communities.

Why Join Us?

At Palmerston, we value people—our clients, our communities, and our staff. Here’s what you can look forward to:

✨ Great Benefits:

• Salary packaging up to $15,900 + $2,650 for meals/entertainment
• 5 days of life & wellness leave (pro rata)
• 9 weeks paid parental leave for the primary carer
• 2 weeks paid partner leave for non-primary carers
• Option to purchase an additional week of leave each year
• Partial access to long service leave after 5 years
• Flexible, family-friendly work arrangements
• 17.5% annual leave loading (award-based staff)
• 5 days paid gender affirmation leave

🌏 Inclusive Culture:

• Cultural leave (2 paid + 8 unpaid days) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
• Staff-led working groups (RAP, Rainbow, Environmental, Disability Access & Inclusion)
• Aboriginal Staff Forum to connect and collaborate
• Our annual Big Day Out brings staff together from all sites to relax, connect and celebrate our work
• We’re Rainbow Tick accredited—the first and only AOD provider in WA to achieve this!

How to Apply

Ready to bring your passion to Palmerston? We’d love to hear from you.

Click “Apply” on Seek! Or, if its more convenient for you, drop off your application at one of our sites.
Be sure to include:

• Your resume
• A cover letter addressing the selection criteria
• Answers to all application questions

⏳ Applications close: 2^nd February 2026

We’re reviewing applications as they come in—so don’t wait!

A Few Final Details

You’ll need a valid WA Working with Children Check and a National Police Clearance (issued within the last 3 months).

📞 Got questions? Contact Tina Edwards-Pope at 08 9892 2100 or email [email protected]

Diversity makes us stronger. We seek and welcome diversity and a breadth of experience and backgrounds in our teams. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people who identify as LGBTIQ+ are encouraged to apply.

Recruitment agencies, we appreciate your consideration. However, we strive to fill our opportunities through direct channels whenever feasible. If we require agency assistance, we will reach out.