Program Coordinator - COMPASS AOD

About the Organisation.

Since 1997, Bridges Health & Community Care Ltd. (BHCC) has assisted thousands of people to move beyond the isolation and stigma of mental illness and addictions to live a meaningful existence with a sense of purpose. We deliver a range of programs throughout rural and regional Queensland, supported by professional staff committed to our practice principles of recovery, "No Wrong Door" and exceptional customer service.

Bridges Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation & Treatment Service (DARTS) offers a comprehensive therapeutic drug and alcohol service for both youth aged 12 years plus, and adults. It includes counseling, brief interventions withdrawal management, and psychosocial support. We also assist families and carers who may have difficulty coping with their loved ones' problematic drug or alcohol issues through our Breakthrough for Families programs.

COMPASS is a new early intervention and prevention program for youth and families residing in the Hinkler region of Wide Bay Qld. Funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing through a brokerage arrangement with IMPACT community Services, Bridges will deliver one of the key focus areas identified through local community consultation.

This includes:

Screening and brief interventions for youth

Increased screening for AOD issues in GP practices

AOD education in schools and community for youth, families, parents and carers

About the Opportunity

Bridges Health & Community Care currently has a full-time position availablefor an experienced Program Coordinator with AOD experience and qualifications to implement Bridge's new COMPASS - early intervention for youth and family's program.

Key responsibilities include

Participate in program design and delivery to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the COMPASS program across the Wide Bay Hinkler region.

Effective management of a team of AOD practitioners and administration staff

Coordination of screening, brief interventions and AOD education programs in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay schools.

Coordination and implementation of AOD education programs for parents and carers in the Hinkler region.

Coordination of AOD screening and brief interventions for local GP practices including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in partnership with Bridges Clinical Lead for COMPASS and our Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation and Treatment Service (DARTS) Program Lead.

Stakeholder engagement to ensure co-design of key program elements, and partnership agreements with key stakeholders and potential partners as per our contractual agreement

Assist in the design and distribution of promotional material and social media of the COMPASS program for the duration of the contract.

This is an office-based position which will require travel in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region.

A work vehicle will be available where possible through our internal booking system. Use of own vehicle for local travel may be required on occasion.

Other duties

• Participation in Bridge's COMPASS AOD education across the Hinkler region, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay and Maryborough, Qld

• Screening youth for AOD issues and delivery of brief interventions using evidence-based resources and approach

• Raising awareness of AOD issues and treatment options to schools and the local community through targeted AOD education.

• Accurate and timely recording of data and outcomes of screens and brief interventions.

• Accurate recording of meeting minutes, activity work plan and project timelines and outcomes.

• Promoting the Bridges DARTS services to gain broader community awareness.

Key Selection Criteria

• Academic qualifications and demonstrated experience in Program Coordination/Project Management in the health and community sector e.g. social work.

• Demonstrated experiencing in project management achieving outputs and outcomes in a planned and efficient manner demonstrated through regular reporting to management and the funder.

• Extensive knowledge of drug and alcohol issues impacting on local communities and/ or experience working in a drug and alcohol treatment setting, and experience working with all types of licit and illicit substances and co-morbidity.

• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder relationships, innovative engagement strategies and ability to develop strong collaborative partnerships with health, education and community sector will be vital.

• Understanding of harm minimisation strategies and demonstrated ability to apply harm minimisation practices in AOD interventions for youth and families.

• Knowledge of AOD screening, brief interventions and psychoeducation processes for young people and families using an evidence-based approach.

• Knowledge of local community resources, treatment services and referral networks and/or ability acquire quickly would be held in high regard.

• Well-developed IT and computer skills, including the use of databases.

A requirement prior to commencement is to currently hold and maintain:

• Current working with children check (Blue Card)
• Current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance
• Current Queensland Open Driver Licence
• The right to work in Australia

About the Benefits

Bridges Health & Community Care Ltd understand the critical importance of their employees in the success of the organisation and as such are always on the lookout for talented, like-minded individuals to join their team.

In return for your hard work and dedication, you'll receive an attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as salary packaging options to further enhance your take-home pay.

You will be joining a culture that is dedicated to helping you succeed. Ongoing training and professional development is available to help you grow, and flexible working arrangements are negotiable to ensure that you maintain a great work-life balance.

This is a truly rewarding opportunity to support an organisation that assists vulnerable and marginalised members of the community. If you think you have what it takes to join the Bridges team then we want to hear from you - apply now!

Interested applicants are required to submit:

• an up-to-date resume including two recent referees;
• a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and requirements of the role.

Applications close at 5pm on the 12th October 2026. Early applications are encouraged as we hope to fill the positions as soon as possible.

We reserve the right to close the positions if suitable candidates are found sooner than the closing date.

For confidential enquiries about the role, please contact Program Lead - Paula Thomspon on [email protected] or [email protected] to request a copy of the Position Description.