• Join an organisation reducing incarceration & recidivism by working with the local community and culture!
• Immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of Groote Eylandt with the additional flexibility of FIFO, paid airfares to Darwin every three weeks!
• Attractive salary circa $110,000 - $112,000 + super, salary packaging, accommodation and relocation to make Groote Eylandt your home!
• Use your case management and community services experience to support men's alternatives to incarceration!

We are Drug and Alcohol Services Australia (DASA), a non-profit organisation focused on rehabilitating people struggling with alcohol and drug misuse or dependency in Central Australia. We work with the Northern Territory Department of The Attorney-General & Justice to deliver upon the aims of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Justice Agreement. Taking a ‘whole person’ approach, we work with key stakeholders to provide alternatives to imprisonment that address the underlying causes of offending.

After almost 40 years in operation, we now offer various services, including a 20-bed therapeutic community with eight and 12-week programs, Transitional After Care Units to aid participants in semi-independent living, and Independent Living Programs, as well as a Sobering-Up Shelter and Outreach Program.

We envision “a healthy and safe community in Central Australia without the harmful effects of substance misuse,” and aim to achieve this through our mission, to “walk beside people in our community to help free them from the effects of alcohol and other drug addictions by:

• Providing client-driven care from crisis to independent living
• Advocating for and on the behalf of clients
• Delivering preventative and continuing education
• Supporting people through outreach services
• Teaching clients skills for life and making positive life choices
• Providing supported residential services for clients
• Delivering therapeutic interventions

We aim in everything we do to be a place of healing, and as many of our clients are First Nations, we ensure cultural understanding is at the forefront of all of our programs, and our interactions.

Working alongside the Anindilyakwa people, our stakeholders and funders, we ensure Aboriginal Territorians in contact with the justice system as offenders are treated fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.

We now have the exciting opportunity for multiple Case Managers to work at the newly developed residential service on Groote Eylandt, working closely with the Anindilyakwa people on an initial 12-month Fixed-Term Contract.

The Project

Having provided several residential rehabilitation programs that have effectively reduced recidivism and had a positive impact on the communities they operate in, DASA is excited to be part of this new project in conjunction with the NT Government and Anindilyakwa people, working to establish and operate a residential rehabilitation centre as an Alternative To Custody (ATC) on Groote Eylandt.

DASA has been chosen to run this program based on the success of our Women's ATC program in Alice Springs. 20 women completed the program during an evaluation period, 16 completed their corrections order and have not returned to custody, while three of the four who have reoffended show a reduction in their offending. In comparison, women who completed their sentences in prison have a reoffending rate of 60%.

This project will be a 32-bed rehabilitation facility designed as an alternative to incarceration for men, providing programs to help them with their substance use and underlying issues and provide trauma-informed practice support for them to rehabilitate. This six-month program aims to help these men gain the tools needed to prevent recidivism and encourage their productive participation in their communities. As this role is an initial 12-month contract, you will see the impacts and effects this program has on initial participants and the community.

The Anindilyakwa community is very involved in their own justice system, and this project will work closely with local community members, as well as the Anindilyakwa Community Justice Group, to ensure any and all programs are culturally informed and appropriate.

We maintain a number of programs across Central Australia, and while we do have best practices around providing trauma-informed care, it is vital for us to include the local community and take their advice and culture onboard in producing tailored programs for each region. You can see more about these programs and the positive impact they have here:

While DASA has been selected to run this program, we will collaborate with and work alongside the Anandilyakwa people to run this until they are able to take this project over themselves and have self-determination over their own justice and ATC.

The Role

As Case Manager, you will be part of the DASA team and will develop, facilitate, and participate in community programs focusing on relapse prevention, harm reduction, health promotion, and wellbeing activities.

This role operates on a FIFO basis, with a three-week on, one-week off schedule, involving 10-hour workdays across five days each week.

One of the most important parts of this role will be your relationship-building with local community, to tailor the program to best support the community's needs and connect people to their culture.

Reporting to our Service Manager you will join a dynamic and diverse team where you will share the caseload with experienced colleagues and foster a collaborative and supportive environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Creating and reviewing case management plans collaboratively with residents and key stakeholders
• Maintaining accurate and relevant client records
• Conducting assessments, intake and exit procedures, and role modelling healthy pro-social behaviour
• Encouraging positive contact between residents and their families, friends, and significant others
• Contributing to continuous quality improvement and a safe workplace

The Benefits 

When you join DASA, you will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to this new program on scenic Groote Eylandt. For this, you will receive an attractive salary circa $110,500 - $112, 700  PLUS super, plus great benefits.

Benefits include:

• $15,900 salary sacrificing PLUS remote area benefits
• Accommodation provided
• 6 weeks annual leave
• Relocation assistance
• 4 paid mental health days in addition to sick/personal leave
• Be part of our supportive DASA community
• Opportunities for progression and work on other projects
• Paid airfares to Darwin every 3 weeks for FIFO

Best of all, as this is a one-year contract, you will have the opportunity to see first-hand the impact your work makes on this community.

About You

To excel as our Case Manager, you should be flexible and adaptable, as you will be expected to promptly update programs as required. We are seeking highly motivated individuals who pride themselves on their reliability and consistency, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to their responsibilities.

Previous experience in a similar role, preferably in AOD or a related field, coupled with knowledge and understanding of vulnerable populations.

You will have the ability and willingness to undertake deep listening to understand the unique stories and circumstances of the people you will be working with. It is imperative that you approach your work with a non-judgmental attitude.

Previous experience with alternatives to incarceration and working with the justice system would be a benefit for your success in this role.

You will have:

• Two years of relevant experience in AOD, family violence, employment services or similar 
• A qualification in community services or similar is an advantage
• A minimum of a Certificate IV or Diploma in Community Services (AOD) or related field or the ability to obtain
• Understanding the value and importance of trauma-informed care 
• Experience working with and for Aboriginal people and Indigenous communities to develop culturally significant programs
• Ideally, experience in case management in a residential setting

Other requirements include:

• A current and valid driver's license – must be able to drive manual
• Ability to be ‘On-Call’ on a rotating roster basis
• National Police Check
• Ochre Card (Working with Children Clearance)

No two days will be the same in this role, and your ability to adapt to changing priorities will serve you well, as will your ability to learn about local culture and lore, and listen to the ways you can incorporate this into the service.

All employees are required to submit to regular and random alcohol and drug testing by breath, urine and mouth swab analysis.

Ready to Apply?

Are you an experienced case manager looking to make a vital difference in the lives of a community and help decrease incarceration and recidivism? Apply Now.