Senior Duty Worker – Lower Plenty

Honesty     Trust      Respect     Concern      Love

Senior Duty Worker  

• Part-time, Permanent 

• We are seeking individuals who are available for evening and sleepover shifts* during weekdays and weekends. The successful candidate will work 3-4 nights per week. Shifts that are currently available are as follows, though this may change:  

Week 1: 

Monday - 6pm – 9.15am (sleepover)
Tuesday – 6pm – 9.15am (sleepover)
Wednesday – 6pm – 10pm (evening)
Friday – 9am - 1pm
Sunday – 6pm – 10am (sleepover)  

Week 2: 

Thursday – 6pm – 9.15am (sleepover)
Friday – 6pm – 10am (sleepover)
Saturday – 6pm – 10am (sleepover) 

*Unless woken up, sleepover shifts will not require you to be working between 11 pm – 7 am. If woken up, appropriate penalty rates will be paid.    

• Based in Lower Plenty.   

• $41.42 per hour, plus super.    

• 17.5% annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options   

• Meals provided on-site.   

About Odyssey Victoria:  

Odyssey Victoria (OV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

About our Therapeutic Community – Lower Plenty 

The Therapeutic Community (TC) is a long-term residential program that works with residents to establish healthier relationships, promote personal change, and support them in their recovery journey. An essential element of the TC is the individual clients’ relationship to the peer community.

Role Purpose:  

The position contributes to the life of the therapeutic community (TC) by liaising closely with residents and other staff and assists in TC processes to foster safe, therapeutic relationships within an atmosphere of mutual acceptance and harmony. Responsible for facilitating the day-to-day operations of the TC, the key purpose of the position is to act as the first point of contact and provide an appropriate operational response to resident issues, and in conjunction with clinical staff support residents in treatment to establish healthier lifestyles free of problematic alcohol and drug use.

Key areas of focus:   

• Facilitating the functioning of the residential facility after hours (in consultation with the Treatment House Coordinator, Team Leader Operations, and other relevant on call staff) and ensuring appropriate communication and feedback is provided.

• Holding the staff keys and being the first point of contact for resident issues.

• Ensuring that the evening and weekend schedules are current and adhered to.

• Facilitating group sessions, including managing conflict through the communique process.

• Interacting informally and empathetically with clients at differing stages of their treatment.

• Communicating relevant information to residents and effectively managing a variety of emotional responses through the application of TC interaction techniques (e.g., Directive, Encouraging, Supportive and Inconspicuous).

• Implementing appropriate responses to events occurring within the TC by consulting with management and support staff where necessary.

• Supporting the organising of house activities for adult residents (e.g., games, music, art, other recreational activities).

• Performing a variety of operational tasks related to day-to-day TC life.

• Providing handover to relevant staff and attending hand over meetings where appropriate.

• Managing after hours petty cash in accordance with TC cash handling procedures.

• Administering medication as prescribed including organising emergency medical appointments, as necessary.

• Keeping accurate administrative records as required.

• Modelling appropriate behaviours and boundaries with residents and their families.

• Overseeing smooth facilitation of resident family visits in accordance with TC processes.

• Supporting and facilitating safe exits for residents wishing to exit treatment after-hours.

• Understanding of where management decision making responsibilities lie.

• Understanding of resident legal requirements.

• Fulfilling the duties of a First Aid Officer, to perform first aid in the workplace according to requirements of residents; (compensated through FAO allowance).

• Undertaking other duties as directed by the Treatment House Coordinator and Team Leader, Operations

• Actively participating in ongoing professional development, individual and/or group supervision, and relevant training.

• Adhering to and keeping informed of relevant legislative compliance requirements, and reporting any perceived breaches, risks, hazards, incidents where relevant.

• Supporting the training of newly recruited Duty Workers

• Contributing to positive team culture and sharing of knowledge on best TC practices

• Actively promoting and adhering to the OV Child Safety policy and procedures to assist OV to maintain a Child Safe Organisation and support colleagues to engage in child safe practices.

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria, please click HERE (http://odyssey.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/POSTC2093-Senior-Duty-Worker-LP.pdf).

A week in the role:  

If you were here last week, you would have:

• Supported the senior residents in the daily running and tasks of the program as well as effectively de-escalate residents when in a heightened state of emotion.

• Dispensed medication to residents.

• Been present and active whilst on shift and engaged in recreational activities with residents.

• Ran a conflict resolution group as needed.

• Role model a high standard in line with the values and expectations of the program.

Key Selection Criteria:   

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Duty work to help facilitate the day-to-day operations of Lower Plenty Residential Rehab Program.

To be successful in this role, you must…   

1. Demonstrate the ability to engage residents in dialogue and develop a therapeutic relationship to facilitate a meaningful TC experience.

1. Ability to resolve conflict and work with difficult and demanding clients.

1. Ability to take initiative and capacity to work independently within established procedures, adapting to changing TC needs.

1. A comprehensive understanding of alcohol and drug substance abuse and an understanding of residential rehabilitation services.

1. Strong organisational and highly developed interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written) with a consultative approach to addressing issues.

1. Demonstrated knowledge of record keeping methods, administrative procedures, confidentiality, and privacy protocols.

*Appendix A (AOD Competencies)  

OV requires people in clinical positions to have the following competencies (or their equivalent). Where people do not already have these competencies, OV will invest in the person’s professional development by providing them through its RTO.

The competencies required in the first 12 months of employment are:

• CHCAOD001 - Work in an alcohol and other drugs context

• CHCAOD004 - Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues.

• CHCAOD006 - Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues.

• CHCAOD009 - Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans

What we can give YOU!  

In return we are committed to offering you an inclusive and transparent workplace culture where our people can develop to be their very best by:

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging, with career development opportunities.

• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP)

• Generous leave options such as 48/52 Purchase Leave, Study Leave and Sabbaticals

In addition to the above, staff will also be provided monthly Clinical Supervision sessions for professional development and personal wellbeing.

Application information  

Please apply directly via our careers website (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered)

Applications should be addressed to Olivia Kozar and include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact Olivia Kozar Team Leader – Operations - LP on, OKozar@odyssey.org.au.

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately. This role will close once a suitable candidate has been selected which may be prior to the application deadline, so please don’t wait to apply!

Our commitment to diversity

At OV we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.

Safety screening  

OV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All OV employees must undergo Police Records and Working with Children Checks. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with us.

All Odyssey Victoria sites are smoke free for all employees.