Kris Wong
South Maclean,Q
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Operations Manager with over 15 years of experience in Community Services. Adept at leading and managing programs and projects with a strategic, client-centered approach. Proven track record of successful planning, execution, and completion of initiatives under government contracts. Exceptional skills in mentoring and developing team members to achieve high performance and professional growth. Strong focus on innovative problem-solving and delivering tangible outcomes. Committed to enhancing community services through effective management and strategic planning to meet and exceed client needs.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager
SERO4 MARA Project – Womens Re-entry Service
09.2017 - Current
- Manager of Next Home Program
- Committee Member of Homelessness QLD
- Manager of MARA Money Matters
- Ensure that both MARA Project funded by QLD Corrective Services and Next Step Home Program funded by Department of Housing contractual obligations are adhered to
- Support, mentor and develop a team of 15 based both in the Correctional Centres and Community across South East QLD
- Maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, Community Justice Groups and communities
- Provide timely and regular communication and updates to the CEO about all facets and emerging themes regarding service delivery of the MARA Project and Next Step Home Program
- Manage all aspects of recruitment of new team members, including advertising, interviewing, reference checks, employment contracts, onboarding, training and mentoring
- Collaborate with QLD Corrective Service Management team to ensure the successful delivery of the MARA Project both in Correctional Centres and Community across South East QLD
- Collaborate with Department of Housing Management Team to ensure the successful delivery of Next Step Home Program across South East QLD
- Ensure KPI’s are met for funded programs MARA Money Matters, Next Step Home and MARA Project
- Attend quarterly contractual meetings with Department of Housing and QLD Corrective Services
- Attend and contribute to stakeholder meetings with Specialist Courts across South East QLD
- Manage HR Platform for all team members; including personal leave, annual leave and TOIL
- Manager of aspects of HR with team members with professional HR advice
- Deliver Professional Supervision with a team of 15 bimonthly
- Write, review and implement new policies, procedures and processes for MARA Money Matters, Next Step Home and MARA Project to ensure they meet the Human Services Quality Framework
- Facilitate monthly meetings and regular community based training to all team members
- Attend monthly management meetings with Homelessness QLD
- Identify and implement strategic solutions to meet the gaps in services to Justice Involved/Criminalised Women both in custody and the community
- Complete case load reviews with all team members fortnightly
- Provide meaningful women centred support to clients both in custody and community as required
- Deliver specialised integrated offender management system training to the MARA Project and Next Step Home teams
- Manage after hours release for women being released from custody across South East QLD
- Complete monthly report for both MARA Project and Next Step Home
- Build professional relationships with stakeholders across the community to support the successful delivery of Next Step Home and MARA Project
- Attend community events to represent SERO4 and encourage awareness to the broader community regarding criminalised / justice involved women
- Apply for Community Grants and Government Tenders in conjunction with SERO4 CEO
- Review budgets for both MARA Project and Next Step Home in conjunction with SERO4 CEO.
Case Worker
ACCESS Community Services Limited
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Providing case management to clients from a CALD background with complex needs
- Complete a comprehensive psychosocial needs assessment with individuals and families, which focuses on their needs and aspirations
- Provide emotional support to a culturally sensitive way
- Identify mental health risks and refer clients to appropriate services
- Provide cultural orientation and life skills development to assist clients with social connections
- Deliver client-focused advocacy following DIBP contractual agreements
- Participate in community networking and awareness events.
Transitions Co-Ordinator (Contract Position)
Wolston Correctional Centre / Queensland Corrective Services
01.2016 - 01.2016
- Provide prisoners with community support services information for their reintegration
- Ensure all prisoners that are released from custody have suitable and achievable plan for a successful reintegration
- Assist prisoners to complete government forms
- Advocate on behalf of prisoners to accommodation providers
- Liaise with mental health, drug and alcohol services, probation and parole and other relevant stakeholders to support prisoners with their release from custody
- All aspects of administration duties.
Community Support Worker
Offender Reintegration Support Service /Mission Australia
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Ensure the effective implementation of the ORSS program following Queensland Corrective Services contractual agreement
- Source appropriate housing for sexual offenders, serious violent offenders and Indigenous clients for board ordered parole
- Developed relationship with Indigenous specific housing and support services to enable culturally appropriate supports for Indigenous clients
- Assist and support clients with parole requirements as well as ANCOR reporting
- Assess and refer clients to appropriate services in a manner that is effective and culturally appropriate, ensuring legal and safety requirements are met at all times
- Ensure sound working relationships with Queensland Corrective Services, Probation and Parole other relevant stakeholders, with the aim of developing referral pathways for clients
- Transport clients on day of release to relevant service such as; Centrelink, Mental health professional, Probation & Parole and Department of Housing
- Assist clients to secure permanent housing through community housing providers and department of housing
- Attend and support clients in initial intake appointment with alcohol and other drugs and mental health services as well as ATSI specific clinic in Woolloongabba & Inala
- Visit weekly at minimum with clients in custody and develop a case management plan prior to client leaving custody as well as source boarding house accommodation for parole
- Intense client tailored case management.
Case Manager
Advance 2 Work
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Liaise with stakeholders and community organisations
- Provide group training employment transitional support
- Refer ATSI clients to Indigenous Employment Programs
- Assist and complete work ready resumes for clients
- Support, motivate and encourage prisoners pre-release and post release from prison
- Meeting and exceeding monthly employment KPI’s
- Assist clients to gain employment or training courses
- Visit clients in custody on a weekly basis to assist them to complete pre work requirements
- Ensure clients are linked to services to encourage an easy transition into the community
- All aspects or administration duties
- Intense one on one case management.
Education
Post Graduate Degree Human Services -
Griffith University
01.2021
Tenancy Skills Institute Accredited Trainer -
Tenancy Skills Institute
01.2020
Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management -
The Spectrum Organization Association Incorporation
01.2019
Excellence in Supervisor Practice – Professional Supervision -
Amovita International
01.2019
Mental Health First Aid -
Red Cross Training
01.2016
Mura Ama Waakana Aboriginal & Torres Strait understanding -
Brisbane Youth Detention Centre
01.2008
Juvenile Justice Training -
Brisbane Youth Detention Centre
01.2008
Certificate IV Youth Work -
Ultimo Tafe
01.2006
Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Team Leadership
- Operations Management
- Policies and procedures implementation
- Project Management
- Operational Efficiency
- Staff Development
- Strategic Planning
- Process Improvements
- Planning and Implementation
Accomplishments
- Successfully awarded a government grant for the Women's Re-entry Connect program, facilitating the reintegration of women into the community.
- Efficiently managed three funded programs, ensuring all objectives were met and exceeded expectations.
- Contributed to securing the State Wide Women's Reintegration Service, funded by Queensland Corrective Services, enhancing support services for women post-incarceration.
- Implemented Tenancy Training across women's correctional centers in Southeast Queensland, providing essential skills for successful reintegration.
- Partnered with Busyability to secure the Ex-Offender Employment contract, improving employment opportunities for former offenders.
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Operations Manager
SERO4 MARA Project – Womens Re-entry Service
09.2017 - Current
Case Worker
ACCESS Community Services Limited
01.2016 - 01.2017
Transitions Co-Ordinator (Contract Position)
Wolston Correctional Centre / Queensland Corrective Services
01.2016 - 01.2016
Community Support Worker
Offender Reintegration Support Service /Mission Australia
01.2013 - 01.2016
Case Manager
Advance 2 Work
01.2012 - 01.2013
Post Graduate Degree Human Services -
Griffith University
Tenancy Skills Institute Accredited Trainer -
Tenancy Skills Institute
Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management -
The Spectrum Organization Association Incorporation
Excellence in Supervisor Practice – Professional Supervision -
Amovita International
Mental Health First Aid -
Red Cross Training
Mura Ama Waakana Aboriginal & Torres Strait understanding -
Brisbane Youth Detention Centre
Juvenile Justice Training -
Brisbane Youth Detention Centre
Certificate IV Youth Work -
Ultimo Tafe