Assistant Manager (Residential Drug and Alcohol)

Ted Noffs Foundation; Caboolture; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ted Noffs Foundation is seeking an Assistant Manager for Palm Youth Rehab, a residential drug and alcohol program for 13–17 year olds in Caboolture, QLD. The role supports day-to-day management, counselling, family work, group activities and living skills within a therapeutic community framework.

The role requires leadership experience, a relevant qualification, and a commitment to harm minimisation. It is a 12-month fixed-term maternity leave cover commencing December 2026, with weekend work

Qualifications

• Must have recognised qualifications and experience in working with young people with alcohol and/or other drug-related difficulties.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Management experience in a residential environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Manager in the day-to-day running of Palm residential program and Calm aftercare program.
• Provide leadership and support to all staff and residents.
• Ensure household safety and a supportive environment free from harassment.
• Promote Therapeutic Community principles and practices.
• Coordinate referrals and intake of new clients.
• Maintain client records and data collection systems.
• Oversee staff recruitment, induction, and regular training.
• Share supervision of AOD Workers and manage weekly rosters.
• Contribute to program development, reporting, and inter-service linkages.

Skills

Residential program mgmt

Leadership

Team supervision

Communication

Job description

Assistant Manager (Residential Drug and Alcohol)

Type:Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract (maternity leave cover), commencing in December 2026
Location:Caboolture QLD
Remuneration:Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (Level 5)+ full salary packaging options available

About Us:

Originally named The Wayside Foundation, The Ted Noffs Foundation was established in 1970 by the Australian humanitarian, Reverend Ted Noffs, who’s work championed social justice, mental health support, and innovative youth services. Today, the Foundation continues his legacy, delivering frontline services and community support across NSW, ACT & QLD. With over 200 staff and 350 volunteers, we remain deeply committed to helping young people affected by issues related to drugs, crime, and mental health.

The Role:

Noffs is looking for an Assistant Manager to join our Palm Youth Rehab, a residential drug & alcohol programto support young people aged 13-17 with serious alcohol and/or other drug-related difficulties. Operating as a therapeutic community, the program provides a holistic, intensive, multi-disciplinary, residential treatment program staffed by professionals specifically trained in working through trauma, challenging behaviours and complex needs.

The successful candidate will assist the Manager in the day-to-day program management and delivery, which includes counselling, family support, group work, vocational/educational modules, living skills and recreational activities. The role will have high levels of community sector management experience, leadership skills and compassion for disadvantaged young people.

This role is a 12-month fixed-term contract (maternity leave cover), commencing in December 2026.

Responsibilities and duties include:

• Assist the Manager in the day to day running of Palm residential program and Calm aftercare program.
• Provide leadership and support to all staff and residents.
• Ensure that the household is safe and supportive and free from harassment.
• Promote the knowledge and practices of a Therapeutic Community model of treatment.
• Assist the Manager to coordinate referrals and intake of new clients.
• Participate in resident review and case management, staff meetings and in-services.
• Maintain and monitor client records and other data collection systems.
• Assist in management of staff including recruitment, induction for new staff, and regular training.
• Share the supervision of all AOD Workers.
• Ensure with the manager the coordination of the weekly rosters.
• Provide feedback on program functioning, highlight issues of concern and develop strategies and actions to address these.
• Ensure incidents are identified, investigated, processed and reported.
• Provide reports and administrative documentation as required.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining inter- and intra-service linkages.
• Ensure all research requirements and activities are met.
• Maintain own professional development and contribute to the development of fellow staff.
• Flexibility in working hours. This may include occasional shift duties or weekend work as necessary and a weekend day may from time to time be included in your 5-day working week.
• Participating in the On-Call duties.
• Recognised qualifications and experience in working with young people with alcohol and / or other drug related difficulties.
• Demonstrated capacity to coordinate a residential treatment service and to motivate, lead and supervise a multidisciplinary staff team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of good practice in working with this client group.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Therapeutic Community Standards and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Staff supervision and related administrative experience, preferably within a residential setting.
• Knowledge and experience of good counselling practice.
• Experience in developing and implementing living skills disciplines and ability to coach and lead others.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Commitment to the principles of harm minimisation and to the aims of the Ted Noffs Foundation.

Must have a current and valid QLD Blue Card and Driver Licence.

Current First Aid Certificate.

Familiarity with local issues, networks and services.

Management experience in a residential environment.

Ability to maintain a small caseload.

If you're looking for work that’s real, challenging, and genuinely makes a difference—you’ve found the right place. At Noffs, we stand beside young people who’ve faced adversity early in life, offering free, evidence-based treatment and genuine care. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and walk alongside these young people on their journey, we’d love to hear from you.

Ted Noffs Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and embraces diversity and inclusion within its workforce. As such, people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This includes, but is not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, People in the LGBTQIA+ community, People with Disability, Women and People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted.