Out of Home Care (OOHC) Coordinator

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation; Echuca; On-site; AUD 103,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: SCHADS Level 6.1

Salary packaging benefits

Ambulance Membership reimbursement

Supervision and support

Regional lifestyle benefits

Job summary

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation in Victoria seeks an OOHC Coordinator to run day-to-day OOHC programs within the Families, Healing and Support Services division. You will lead a team of 14, providing guidance to deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed care that keeps Aboriginal children connected to family, culture and community, in close partnership with Aboriginal and mainstream agencies.

Reporting to the Families, Healing and Support Manager, you will oversee Kinship, Foster Care, and related

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to connect with Aboriginal children and carers in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing staff and building strong team spirit.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of OOHC programs, ensuring timely service delivery within guidelines, budget and staffing.
• Provide expert advice on culturally safe, trauma-aware service delivery across kinship, foster care, and family-led decision making programs.
• Supervise and support staff and trainees, ensuring compliance with case management reporting requirements.
• Assist teams and families in risk assessing, planning, delivering and reviewing case management plans.
• Contribute to recruitment, performance reviews and staff development.
• Monitor workflows, budgets and resources, escalating issues with recommendations.
• Support policy development, funding proposals, and program evaluations.
• Backfill OOHC Manager and Family Services Coordinator as needed.

Skills

Cultural safety

Staff supervision

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or postgraduate in Social Work or Community Services

Job description

Lead with Culture. Strengthen Teams. Keep Kids Connected to Kin.

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is seeking an Out of Home Care (OOHC) Coordinator to coordinate the day-to-day running of our OOHC programs and services within the Families, Healing and Support Services division. You'll lead a team that currently numbers 14, providing expert advice and support to deliver culturally safe, trauma-aware services that keep Aboriginal children connected to family, culture and community, in close partnership with Aboriginal and mainstream agencies.

This is a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander position under a special measure in accordance with section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

Reporting to the Families, Healing and Support Manager, and working closely with the OOHC Manager, you'll oversee programs including Kinship Case Contracting, Kinship First Supports, Kinship Placement and Support, Foster Care, Therapeutic Foster Care, Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making, Community Connections, Cultural Support Plans, Therapeutic Interventions for Family Violence and the Caring for Yarka Traineeship.

• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of OOHC programs, ensuring service delivery is timely, culturally safe and within program guidelines, budget and staffing
• Provide expert advice on culturally safe, trauma-aware service delivery across kinship, foster care, therapeutic and family-led decision making programs
• Provide regular professional supervision and on-the-job support to program staff and trainees, ensuring compliance with case management requirements and accurate reporting
• Assist and advise team members and families to risk assess, plan, deliver and review case management plans
• Identify training needs, orient new hires and trainees, and contribute to recruitment, performance appraisals and reviews
• Monitor staff workflows, department budgets and resources, escalating issues with recommendations
• Support the development of policies, funding proposals, government submissions and program evaluations
• Backfill the OOHC Manager and Family Services Coordinator during periods of leave
• At Njernda Aboriginal Corporation you'll be part of a values-driven, community-controlled organisation, guided by our values of Respect, Accountability, Resilience, Advocacy and Cultural Sensitivity.

• $114,000 annual salary (SCHADS Level 6.1) + Super
• Generous salary packaging benefits (not-for-profit)
• Victorian Ambulance Membership reimbursement (for you and your family)
• Supportive team environment and access to supervision
• Genuine work–life balance and the benefits of a regional lifestyle

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree or postgraduate qualification in Social Work or Community Services
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a similar role
• Demonstrated capacity and knowledge in managing intensive support programs relevant to preventing the removal of children from family
• Demonstrated understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act and child protection procedures
• Demonstrated ability to connect with Aboriginal children and carers in a culturally appropriate manner
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and the issues relating to the needs of Aboriginal families in the area
• Ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people and handle issues in a sensitive manner
• Experience managing staff, developing strong team spirit and managing conflict within the team
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiskilled, diverse teams to drive cooperation and deliver effective outcomes for community
• Demonstrated experience in program development and managing team implementation
• Ability to conduct professional supervision, assess staff learning needs, review performance and address staff human resource issues, including performance issues
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills, and strong computer and information systems skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop and work collaboratively in partnership with external parties
• Understanding of the financial controls and procurement procedures required by programs, and overseeing staff procurements
• Desirable: Work experience in regional Australia, in an Aboriginal organisation.

Required Clearances and Eligibility

• Current and valid Victorian Working with Children Check
• National Police Check
• Current and valid full Victorian Driver's Licence
• Eligibility to work in Australia
• Vaccination status and pre‑employment screening in line with Njernda's policies and procedures