GoCo Direct Care Leader

Location: Gunnedah, NSW 

Contract Type: Full Time, 35 hours per week 

Salary Range: Grade 15 ($1854.07 - $2046.55 per week + 12% Superannuation)

Application Deadline: 5:00pm, Wednesday 21 October 2026

 

Open New Horizons – Your Career, Your Community

 

At Gunnedah Shire Council, we create opportunities for you to Open New Horizons – in your career, within your community and for your future.

 

Whether you are starting your career journey, developing new skills, or taking the next step professionally, we provide a supportive environment where you can grow, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.

 

We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, connected and empowered to succeed – but also understand the importance of your personal wellbeing and your life outside of work.

 

Gunnedah Shire Council is committed to recognising, rewarding, and supporting our people through a range of benefits and opportunities designed to help employees open new horizons in their career, community, and lifestyle.

 

Gunnedah Shire Council, in partnership with GoCo, is seeking a motivated and collaborative professional to help lead our direct care function.

 

• Looking for a tree change? Enjoy a rural community lifestyle!
• Fantastic opportunity to advance your career in a vibrant local community!
• Receive an attractive salary up to $106,000/year (depending on experience/qualifications) PLUS super and salary packaging options! 
• Additional benefits include relocation assistance for the right applicant, a paid rostered day off every three weeks, ongoing professional development opportunities and negotiable flexibility!

 

Our Next Direct Care Leader

 

Reporting to the Group and Community Supports Team Leader, you will be responsible for the provision of high-quality direct care services to frail aged people and their carers who wish to live and remain in their own homes and the community. You will also aim to enhance the quality of life for eligible participants by providing services that provide access to meal delivery, transport, social groups, home and community respite, individual social support and cultural and recreational activities.

 

Key Responsibilities for this role include:

 

• Accountable for providing flexible, timely services that respond to and match the needs of GoCo participants and their carers;

 

• Identify opportunities to grow GoCo direct care services both geographically and in service offering and improve efficiency and effectiveness of all direct care services GoCo provides.

 

• Support the Groups and Community Supports Team Leader to oversee the budgets, management of contracts and direct care volunteer workforce management.

 

• Oversee Support Officers and work with Service Coordinators in scheduling and coordinating services and booking of resources including vehicles.

 

• Support the Groups and Community Supports Team Leader to meet GoCo’s services contracted reporting and compliance requirements.

 

• Support the Groups and Community Supports Team Leader to provide performance reports regularly to the Executive Manager GoCo.

 

• Oversee the recruitment, support and use of volunteer workforce.

 

To read the full position description, please click here.

 

What You’ll Bring to the Team

 

To qualify, you will need a Certificate III in Community Services (CHSP, Aged Care or Disability Services) or related. Alternatively, candidates with a high level of relevant experience may also be considered.

 

Key requirements for this position also include:

 

• Understanding of the section’s operating environment including community care services and provision of transport services.

 

• Delivering a service to customers including direct care work and provision of service information.

 

• High level communication, time management and organisational skills.

 

• Performing administrative and clerical functions

 

• Working effectively with a range of stakeholders including volunteers.

 

• Monitoring and maintaining a safe workplace.

 

• Demonstrated skills and knowledge in use of Microsoft Office applications.

 

• Ability and continued commitment to work according to Councils' policies and Code of Conduct, with or without supervision.

 

• Current valid NSW Class C Drivers Licence (ongoing employment is conditional on maintaining this Licence).

 

* While not required, desirable characteristics of a successful candidate could include:

 

• Experience in Local Government.

 

• Current First Aid Certificate.

 

• Certificate IV in Community Services (Aged Services) or similar.

 

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification or skill. If your experience looks a little different from what we have identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we would love to learn more about you!

 

Why Join Gunnedah Shire Council?

 

Working at Gunnedah Shire Council offers a range of benefits, some of which include:

 

• Accrue a Rostered Day Off (RDO) every 3 weeks, working only 35 hours a week!

 

• Access to MyLeave - An additional 5 days of leave each year to support a healthy and flexible work-life balance. 

 

• Receive Long Service Leave after only 5 years!

 

• Receive annual award salary increases with potential for further increases during performance appraisal cycles.

 

• Salary packaging and salary sacrificing options available - Salary Packaging Australia

 

• Eligible staff can access 14 weeks of paid parental leave (or 28 weeks at half pay)!

 

• Professional development and career growth opportunities.

 

• Access to 4 weeks annual leave

 

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community.

 

• Access to employee wellbeing programs

 

• Active social club

 

For further information regarding this role please contact Melinda McCulloch, Groups and Community Supports Team Leader, on 02 6740 2100 or see the Position Description

 

How to Apply

 

Please read the Position Description by clicking on the link above. It is important to read this carefully to understand what the job involves.

 

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification or skill. If your experience looks a little different from what we have identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we would love to learn more about you!

 

If this sounds like you, click the Apply button below, complete the application form. Please ensure you answer all questions and upload a current resume and cover letter outlining your suitability for this role, as well as any copies of relevant qualifications that support your application. The use of AI to assist with creating and formatting documents is welcomed; however, written responses should remain thoughtful and personalised, as generic or impersonal submissions may be viewed less favourably.

 

Only candidates with current Australian work rights (Australian citizens, permanent residents, NZ citizens with a current passport, valid work visa) will be considered.

 

Further information

 

As part of the recruitment process, suitable applicants will be required to complete pre-employment screening which may include relevant background checks, functional capacity assessment and drug and alcohol screening. Our recruitment process is primarily via system generated emails.  Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates and outcomes.

 

Email notifications may include application confirmation, interview invitations, request for references, and application outcomes. Please check your email regularly, including your junk email.

 

Council is an equal opportunity employer is committed to a merit-based workforce that encompasses inclusiveness and diversity in an environment of mutual respect. We invite, encourage, welcome and value candidate of all ages and from all backgrounds.

 

For all enquiries regarding the application and recruitment process, please contact the People and Culture team on 02 6740 2100 or peopleandculture@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

 

For essential workers and their families moving to Gunnedah, The Welcome Experience is a free program aimed at providing free personalised support for a range of services such as housing, education, partner job opportunities, and community connection. To learn more and register for the program please click here: The Welcome Experience | NSW Government.