Pastoral Practitioner - Sydney Central Metro

Casual Pastoral Practitioner – Sydney Metro

Casual | Sydney Metro – Multiple Uniting Services and Locations

Meaningful work supporting people, families and communities through pastoral and spiritual care

Are you an experienced Pastoral Practitioner looking for flexible casual work where your presence, compassion and ability to connect with people can make a genuine difference?

Uniting is seeking a Casual Pastoral Practitioner to provide pastoral and spiritual care across our services throughout the Sydney Metro region.

This is a mobile casual role supporting a broad geographical area, including services across Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Western Sydney and Georges River regions. Locations may include War Memorial Hospital, Illowra, Ronald Coleman Lodge, Annesley, Aldersgate, The Marion, Locke Haven, Thomas Roseby, Westmead, Peakhurst and Liverpool.

Due to the geographical spread of our services, you will need a current driver's licence, your own reliable vehicle, and the flexibility to travel between locations as required.

About the Role

As a Pastoral Practitioner, you will provide compassionate, person-centred pastoral and spiritual care to people receiving Uniting services, as well as their families and, where appropriate, staff.

You will support people from diverse cultural, spiritual and faith backgrounds, respecting each person's individual beliefs, values and life experiences. You will also provide religious care within the Christian faith tradition in a way that is ecumenical, inclusive and respectful.

Working as part of Uniting's Chaplaincy and Pastoral Practice team, you will:

• Provide sensitive, person-centred pastoral and spiritual care to residents, clients, patients and families.

• Build nurturing and respectful relationships with people experiencing vulnerability, transition, illness, grief or other significant life circumstances.

• Respond appropriately to individual spiritual and religious needs, including referral when specialist support is required.

• Work collaboratively with Chaplains, Pastoral Practitioners, service managers, staff and volunteers.

• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality and accurate pastoral care documentation.

• Participate in reflective practice, professional supervision, team meetings, and ongoing professional and spiritual development.

• Contribute positively to an inclusive culture that respects people of all faiths, spiritual traditions, and those who identify with no particular faith.

• Support Uniting's commitment to dignity, inclusion, compassion and social justice.

About You

You bring warmth, maturity and sound professional judgement to your work. You are comfortable meeting people wherever they are in life and can provide meaningful support without imposing your own beliefs or assumptions.

You will ideally have:

• One or more units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), or relevant equivalent life and/or work experience.

• Relevant pastoral or theological study, with a willingness to undertake further CPE training as part of your professional development.

• An understanding of the pastoral and spiritual needs of people receiving health, aged care or community services.

• Demonstrated empathy and an affinity for working alongside people who may be experiencing vulnerability.

• An understanding of the distinction between religion and spirituality, and an ability to support people across different beliefs and traditions.

• A basic understanding of, and respect for, diverse faith traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

• The ability to work independently while remaining an active and collaborative member of a wider team.

• Confidence using basic computer systems and maintaining appropriate records.

• A commitment to reflective practice, professional boundaries and ongoing development.

• Values that align with Uniting's commitment to being Imaginative, Respectful, Compassionate and Bold.

A graduate qualification in a relevant discipline will be highly regarded.

Essential Requirements

As this casual position may provide coverage across a wide range of Sydney Metro locations, regular travel is an inherent part of the role.

You will require:

• A current driver's licence.

• Access to your own reliable vehicle, with generous mileage reimbursement provided.

• The ability and willingness to travel across the Sydney Metro service footprint as required.

• A Working with Children Check.

• An NDIS Worker Screening Check.

Why Join Uniting?

This is an opportunity to bring your pastoral skills to work that is deeply human—supporting people through moments of change, uncertainty, reflection and connection.

As a Casual Pastoral Practitioner, you'll become part of a wider Chaplaincy and Pastoral Practice team committed to providing inclusive, respectful and person-centred spiritual care.

If you are a thoughtful and compassionate practitioner who can work flexibly across a diverse range of people, services and locations, we would welcome your application.

Apply now to join Uniting and contribute to pastoral and spiritual care that respects the dignity, beliefs and individual journey of every person.

Mandatory Reporters

Mandatory Reporters are employees who deliver services directly to children and young people, or who supervise employees who deliver these services. However, all employees are responsible for applying the Protecting Children and Young People Policy.