Joseph Zizys

95 Locksley Rd Ivanhoe 3079

0403 424 484
joseph.zizys@gmail.com

About Me:

I am a community worker with experience in mental health, youth, housing, and CaLD issues,
as well as previous experience in I.T and office administration.

After beginning my career in I.T as a back end web developer and volunteering with
community focused groups like Macleod YMCA and the Wilderness Society I decided to
move to a career in the community sector; volunteering as a counsellor at Lifeline Melbourne,
working as an administration officer at the Centre for Multicultural Youth, undertaking a
Diploma of Community Welfare Work at NMIT, then working as a housing support worker for
Homeground and as a community mental health practitioner at Mind Australia.

I am a well organised and dedicated community worker with experience working with clients
one on one and in groups.

Qualifications:

2008 - Ongoing Bachelor of Arts, Maquarie University

2009 Diploma of Community Welfare Work, NMIT

2006 Advanced Counselling Skills Training, Lifeline Melbourne

2005 Certificate 2 in Bookkeeping, NMIT

2005 Certificate in Telephone Counseling, Lifeline Melbourne

2004(2008) Certificate 2 in Security and First Aid, Ascet Tafe Melbourne

1995-1997 Bachelor of Engineering (incomplete), Latrobe University

1994 Victorian Certificate of Education, Macleod High School


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Relevant Employment History:

2013 - Ongoing
Community Mental Health Practitioner, Mind Australia
I currently work as a Community Mental Health Practitioner at a Youth Prevention and
Recovery Centre for Mind Australia. I work with young people to support them in their
personal recovery using a framework provided by Individual Recovery Plans. Work takes
place one on one and in groups, helping people to live fulfilling, purposeful and empowered
lives with or without symptoms of mental ill health.

2008 - 2009
Social Housing Advocacy and Support Worker, Homeground
I worked as a housing support worker at Homeground, first as a placement and then on a
contract. I provided outreach case management to clients who were at risk of losing their
public housing. There were a wide range of presenting issues and situations involving clients
with complex needs in crisis situations.

2006 - 2007
Administration Officer, Centre for Multicultural Youth
At CMY I worked as the administration officer, supporting a diverse range of workers in a
large set of CaLD programs. Ranging from family workers assisting refugees, through
mentoring programs facilitating connections across cultural groups, to training programs
delivered to other organisations in the sector. I learnt a great deal about CaLD communities,
community work, policy advocacy, community sector funding and inter-agency collaboration.

2005 - 2007
Crisis Counsellor, Lifeline Melbourne
I spent 2 years at Lifeline as a volunteer crisis counselor on the Lifeline telephone service,
working with anonymous callers experiencing crisis and trauma.

2002
Participant, Short Circuit Project.
I participated in this project aimed at teaching computer skills to unemployed people while
recycling computers to send to charities.

2001
Clerk, Wilderness Society Shop.
I volunteered as a clerk at the Wilderness Societys fund-raising shop, selling gifts, calendars
and other items to raise funds for their advocacy operations.

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Summary:

I have experience with recovery oriented mental health practice in a residential setting with
Mind Australia. I have outreach case management experience with the Homeground SHASP
service where I worked with clients experiencing difficulties in public housing. I have
experience as a crisis counsellor at Lifeline Melbourne. I have experience supporting a wide
range of programs at the Centre for Multicultural Youth, including training programs,
casework, mentoring and advocacy. I am also an I.T whizz, with experience in Web
Development and I.T support.

I am also a calm, organised and professional worker. I get along well with colleagues and
collaborate effectively with clients and with other services. I dont take life too seriously and I
foster and support friendly, collaborative and drama free workplaces.

Below are three references who would be happy to speak on my behalf, please email me if
there is any difficulty contacting them.

Michala Copeland: Service Manager, YPARC Frankston
92388600 or MCopeland@phcn.vic.gov.au

William Buckley: Team Leader, YPARC Frankston
92388600 or WBuckley@phcn.vic.gov.au

Kate OSullivan: Settlement Team Leader, Whittlesea Community Connections
0434 819 350 or [ATTN]: Kate OSullivan admin@whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely

Joseph Zizys
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