STEP Operations Practice Manager

Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation is seeking an experienced Operations / Practice Manager to lead the STEP Program in Cairns. You will oversee daily operations, case management standards, and staff development to ensure safe, high-quality services for young people on bail and their families.

You will report to the On Country Program Director and supervise the STEP Team Leader, guiding delivery, budgeting, and coordination with partners to achieve outcomes in a culturally safe framework.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in youth or community services.
• Ability to manage risk, safeguarding and quality of practice.
• Proven capability in reporting and performance information.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations and workforce planning for the STEP program.
• Provide senior oversight of complex cases and risk escalation.
• Ensure service quality and compliance with funding requirements.
• Oversee recruitment, induction and staff development.
• Maintain data quality and client records.
• Build relationships with partners including Youth Justice, police and courts.

Skills

People leadership

Case management

Risk management

Safeguarding

Data quality & reporting

Communication

Digital skills

Community engagement (Aboriginal and/T

Education

Bachelor in social work or related field

Management qualification

Tools

MS Office

Case management software

Job description

Lead a culturally responsive service supporting young people on bail to connect with family, community and opportunities for positive change.

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.

Guided by Traditional Lore and Custom, we keep culture and community central to our work and value professionalism, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

About the opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Operations / Practice Manager to lead the day-to-day operations and practice quality of our STEP Program.

STEP provides culturally safe, responsive support to young people on bail and their families through rapid engagement, individualised case management, outreach, court-related support and flexible after-hours responses.

Reporting to the On Country Program Director and directly supervising the STEP Team Leader, you will ensure the team has the direction, supervision, systems and resources needed to deliver safe, coordinated and high-quality services.

What you’ll do

• Lead daily operations, workforce planning, rostering and service continuity across the program catchment.
• Guide consistent case management, risk assessment, safeguarding and professional practice.
• Provide senior oversight of complex cases, critical incidents and risk escalation.
• Support staff recruitment, induction, supervision and development.
• Monitor service performance, client records, data quality and funding requirements.
• Build effective working relationships with Youth Justice, police, courts, Child Safety and community service partners.
• Oversee operational resources and expenditure within approved budgets and delegations.

What you’ll bring

You will be a practical, organised leader who can balance service delivery, quality practice and clear accountability. You will bring:

• A relevant qualification in community services, youth work, social work, human services, management or a related field, or substantial equivalent experience managing complex youth or community services.
• Experience leading teams and supervising case management or youth/community service practice.
• Demonstrated capability in risk management, critical incident response, safeguarding and service quality.
• Experience monitoring government-funded services, performance information and reporting.
• The ability to build respectful, effective relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families, communities and service partners.
• Strong communication, organisational and digital skills.

Experience in Youth Justice, bail support, intensive youth programs or court-related services will be highly regarded, as will knowledge of culturally responsive service delivery in Far North Queensland.

Role 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.
• Capacity to participate in rostered after-hours management arrangements, including weekends and public holidays where required.
• Contribute to work that connects culture, community and practical support for young people.
• Take a leadership role combining operational management with practice quality.
• Work alongside community and service partners to strengthen coordinated support.
• Bring your experience and ideas to a role with a clear focus on learning and continuous improvement.

Applications close: 23rd November 2026
For further information or a copy of the position description: Lisa Meara Email: ****@jabalbina.com.au