Honesty Trust Respect Concern Love

• Full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month traineeship program.
• Based at Lower Plenty, Bairnsdale and/or Benalla
• $67,553.68 - $73,705.02 per annum, plus super (dependent on qualifications)
• 17.5% annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options
• Progressive Workplace Flexibility options that enable genuine work life balance
  

Are you a keen learner with a passion for making a meaningful difference to people’s lives in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector?

Do you have a Lived Experience of AOD use, and feel you can support and assist others on their journey to recovery?

Are you desiring a new start or looking for a position doing challenging and fulfilling work?

If this sounds like you, please read below.

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 Victoria 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 Communities

The Therapeutic Community program offers a holistic treatment experience for those seeking help for problematic drug or alcohol use. To enhance individual motivation for change, the Therapeutic Community combines meaningful work and recreational activities, with therapeutic group work and skills development, in a physically and psychologically safe environment.

About this opportunity

This 12-month traineeship program will commence on 28th April 2025 and provide you with the opportunity to work full time with experienced OV Clinical Staff, undertaking on-the-job training with a combined study regime to launch you into a fulfilling career in the AOD sector.

Trainees will learn about what work in the AOD sector looks like within Odyssey’s Residential Programs in a supportive and supervised environment. The trainee will also visit Community Programs to understand the breadth of AOD service available to the community.

Applications from people with lived experience and those with no qualifications are encouraged.

This opportunity is not available to those who have:

1. undertaken paid client facing work in the AOD sector (not inclusive of volunteers, students and non-client facing roles).
2. participated in an Early Careers Program in any sector.

We encourage applicants with prior work experience in any capacity, excluding the roles described above to apply.

Key areas of focus:

• Induction
• Operations
• Clinical Team
• Admissions
• Professional Development
• Administration

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Undertaking a thorough induction program to understand the Therapeutic Community and how it works
• Participating in action meetings and special activities as required.
• Participating in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of schedules, and other relevant tools to effectively manage the activities of the TC
• With support, attending groups and assisting with communiques
• Documenting communication with clients (via appointments or phone conversations)
• Logging/noting any relevant dates for clients (including medical appointments, upcoming court dates etc.)
• Participating in information sessions (providing specific information about the residential facility including processes and expectations of living in the facility)
• Attending and observing clinical team meetings, case reviews and other staff meetings.
• Maintain up to date progress notes, case files and data entry

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities, please click HERE.

All trainees will:

Participate actively in Traineeship professional development activities, including:

• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Alcohol and Other Drugs Skill Set (Odyssey Institute 4 units of Competency)
• Training through VAADA’s Elevate! Workforce development program
• A Trainee’s Communities of Practice (CoP) run by 360Edge
• First Aid
• Mental Health First Aid
• MARAM intermediate risk assessment training
• Various and targeted training available in the OV training calendar

A week in the role

If you were here last week, you would have been supported to:

• Support a resident attending court online.
• Attend staff meetings to discuss operations of the house and resident work functions.
• Work with a clinician to complete an assessment of client who wishes to go to residential rehab.
• Eat lunch with the residents in the house dining room or on go an outing to the park.
• Attend brain health group with residents.

Key Selection Criteria

We are looking for an eager individual with a passion for AOD work to undertake this traineeship and be ready to learn, grow and be challenged, all whilst sharing their thoughts and ideas.

You must meet the following criteria to be successful in this role…

1. A desire to pursue a career in the AOD sector.
2. A genuine interest in AOD work.
3. Lived Experience of problematic AOD use, with at least 2 years of recovery.
4. Alignment with Odyssey’s values.
5. Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
6. Resilient and willing to work through any conflict situations with a professional and sensitive approach.
7. Takes initiative, is organised, can work independently and adapt to changing organisational needs.
8. Problem solving mindset. Curious and committed to finding new and creative ways to work with clients to achieve better outcomes.
9. Able to convey empathy and concern and collaborate effectively with people from a range of different backgrounds in a respectful and compassionate manner.
10. Comfortable with engaging clients in dialogue and developing a therapeutic relationship.
11. Commitment to developing my practice by observing and learning from others.
12. Able to work well in a team, be accountable for one’s work and support others to enhance service delivery.
13. Ability to self-reflect, take on feedback, and use supervision opportunities to improve one’s work.

For a copy of the position description which outlines the full key selection criteria, please click HERE.

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 to upskill your clinical and AOD expertise.
• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging, with career development opportunities
• Providing career pathways across diverse OV programs.
• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP).
• Generous leave options such as 48/52 Purchase Leave, Study Leave etc.
• Flexible working arrangements (arrangements will vary based on role requirements).

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

Application information

Please apply directly via our careers website by clicking the "Apply Now" button (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered).

Applications should be addressed to Anne Cox, Executive Manager – Residential Programs and include your CV, a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and identifying your preferred location (Lower Plenty, Molyullah or Bairnsdale).

If you have any questions relating to the position, please send your enquiries to [email protected] using the subject line: AOD Trainee - Residential Programs - Melbourne / Regional enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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 a 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 a Police Check 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.