STEP Intake Rapid Response Worker

Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC in Cairns, Queensland, seeks an Intake / Rapid Response Worker for the STEP Program. You will be the first point of contact for young people referred to STEP, coordinating referrals, engaging with families at court and in the community, and identifying immediate needs.

This role involves travel, rostered court appearances, outreach, after-hours work, and maintaining accurate client records to enable timely connections to essential services and bail

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in youth work, community services, social work, human services or a related field, or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting young people and families with complex needs.
• Strong communication, organisation and time-management skills.
• The ability to identify immediate needs and risks and elevate concerns appropriately.
• The ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families and communities.
• Confidence maintaining accurate records and using digital client-management systems.

Responsibilities

• Receive and coordinate referrals, making initial contact with young people and/or their families within 24 hours of the relevant court bail decision.
• Engage with young people and families at court and in the community.
• Identify immediate needs, strengths and risks, escalating concerns when required.
• Help coordinate practical support such as transport, communication access, identification and connections to essential services.
• Help young people and families understand immediate bail obligations and available program support.
• Maintain accurate client records and provide clear handovers to Youth Workers / Case Managers.

Skills

Youth work

Community services

Social work

Human services

Client engagement

Case coordination

Education

Youth work/Community services qualification

Job description

Intake / Rapid Response Worker – STEP Program

Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Help young people take their next step

Are you a practical, calm and approachable person who can build connections with young people and families when timely support matters most?

Jabalbina is seeking an Intake / Rapid Response Worker to provide the first point of engagement for young people referred to our STEP Program. You’ll help identify immediate needs, address practical barriers to meeting bail conditions and connect young people with ongoing support.

About Jabalbina

Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC works with Eastern Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owners to protect rights and interests, care for Bubu and Jalun, strengthen culture and create opportunities for current and future generations.

Our work is guided by Traditional Lore and Custom, with culture, community, respect and accountability central to everything we do.

About the role

Reporting to the STEP Team Leader, you’ll work with young people, families, courts, Youth Justice and service partners to support a timely, coordinated response following a bail decision.

You will:

• Receive and coordinate referrals, making initial contact with young people and/or their families within 24 hours of the relevant court bail decision.
• Engage with young people and families at court and in the community.
• Identify immediate needs, strengths and risks, escalating concerns when required.
• Help coordinate practical support such as transport, communication access, identification and connections to essential services.
• Help young people and families understand immediate bail obligations and available program support.
• Maintain accurate client records and provide clear handovers to Youth Workers / Case Managers.

The role includes work-related travel and participation in rostered court, outreach and after-hours arrangements, including weekends and public holidays where required.

About you

You can build rapport quickly, stay organised when priorities change and respond calmly to challenging situations. You work respectfully with young people and families, maintain professional boundaries and know when to seek guidance.

You’ll bring:

• A relevant qualification in youth work, community services, social work, human services or a related field, or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting young people and families with complex needs.
• Strong communication, organisation and time-management skills.
• The ability to identify immediate needs and risks and elevate concerns appropriately.
• The ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families and communities.
• Confidence maintaining accurate records and using digital client-management systems.

Experience in youth justice, bail support, intake, crisis response or outreach would be valued, as would knowledge of local support services and training in trauma-informed practice or de-escalation.

Requirements

You will need:

• A current Queensland driver licence and capacity to travel across the program catchment.
• A current Queensland Blue Card and satisfactory completion of required pre-employment screening.
• First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain and maintain these.
• Availability to participate in the required roster arrangements.

This role may close sooner than the listed closing date if we find the right candidate, so don't wait to get your application in.

Applications close: 23rd November 2026.

For enquiries or a copy of the position description: Lisa Meara, Email ****@jabalbina.com.au