EXT-2026-5045 – EL 1 Assistant Director (Clinical)

Open Arms operates as a division accountable to the Deputy Secretary for Veterans, Family and Stakeholder Experience. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for veterans, peacekeepers, and their families by delivering safe, high-quality services aligned with government policy, legislation, and regulatory requirements.

The Open Arms Division comprises the following:

• Clinical Governance and Programs Directorate
• Clinical Operations Branch
• Business Operations Branch

Open Arms regions sit within the Clinical Operations Branch. Each region is led by a Director who reports to the Assistant Secretary, Clinical Operations, and holds delegated authority for local operations and service delivery.

Directors are supported by a regional leadership team comprising Assistant Directors and a Practice Manager, ensuring effective operational management and the delivery of high-quality services.

Our ideal candidate will collaborate effectively with the Regional Leadership Team to oversee high-quality clinical services delivered by Outreach Providers, including OPCs, GPFs, and Clinical Supervisors. They will ensure the delivery of evidence-based treatment services, groups, and workshops, while maintaining strong clinical governance, monitoring provider performance, and driving continuous improvement to meet the needs of veterans and their families.

Duties

Please refer to Candidate Information Pack for a list of duties related to this role.

Eligibility

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
• All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
• The successful candidate will be required obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance.

Mandatory Requirements

• Qualifications as a registered Psychologist / Occupational Therapist / Registered Nurse with full AHPRA registration, OR
• Social Worker with membership of the Australian Association Social Workers (AASW) on commencement, OR
• A Masters-level counselling qualification and registration with PACFA as a Registered Clinical Counsellor or with ACA at Level 3 or Level 4.

AND

• Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration, OR
• Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Children check.

Notes

This recruitment process is being used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences and perspectives. DVA is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve and encourages applications from:

• Veterans and former Australian Defence Force members, whose skills and experience are highly valued across the APS
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• People with disability
• People who identify as LGBTQIA+
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

We are a Veteran Employer of Choice! This means you benefit from a workplace actively supporting veterans and veteran families – one that understands and values military experience. You’re joining an organisation publicly recognised for its commitment to fostering veteran-friendly employment pathways and long-term career success.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activities for the vacancy if you choose to opt-in to the scheme, declare you have a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed in consultation with you. Further information can be found at https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

This vacancy has been identified to participate in VetPaths. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer supports. For more visit: VetPaths – A support pathway for veterans new to the Australian Public Service (APS) | Department of Veterans' Affairs. This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other Acts. For clarification, please contact the advertising agency.

Contact Officer Details:

For any job-related information required after reading the selection documentation, please contact Candice Bool at [email protected].

Where to lodge Applications:

To apply go to https://dvajobs.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.home and complete the online application by 11.30pm AEST Thursday 23 July 2026.