Priscilla McKenzie
South Hedland,Australia
Summary
Attentive and adaptable Housing Officer skilled in effective property management. Expert in fulfilling legal and contractual obligations to tenants and leaseholders. History of success in demanding environments. Proven professional with experience in delivering key housing management services with relevant legislation and regulation. Exceptional partner to housing team, promoting tenant participation and community development initiatives. Dedicated to improving organization's current position and long-term financial stability. Resourceful Housing Officer recognized for high productivity and efficient completion of tasks. Possess specialized skills in tenant relations, regulatory compliance, and community engagement which ensure delivery of exceptional service. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and empathy, using these soft skills to navigate complex situations effectively and foster positive outcomes for both residents and housing organizations.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Home Support Program Officer
Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation
South Hedland
11.2023 - Current
- Assist KNAC members with necessary paperwork to purchase a home
- Advocate and assist KNAC members in obtaining a rental property
- Design, develop and deliver workshops and tools/resources to support KNAC members
- Collaborate with stakeholders, including trades such as builders, plumbers, community service providers, and government agencies
- Ensure all compliance requirements are always completed
- Ensure every matter is managed with strong attention to detail and in accordance with KNAC policies and procedures
- Assist Nyiyaparli beneficiaries in obtaining the 100-point ID check
- Provide guidance for repairs and maintenance
- Liaise with Real Estate Agents, Landlords, Insurance companies, and relevant stakeholders to support tenants and minimise rental and mortgage arrears, as well as tenant responsibility maintenance charges
- Follow up on necessary repairs based on building inspection reports (e.g., addressing water damage, painting, gardens)
- Assist clients, suppliers, and stakeholders in a friendly and professional manner
- Provide culturally appropriate and effective communication, always working in a cooperative and courteous manner
- Coordinate all client complaints in an appropriate and timely manner
- Work as part of a team to proactively ensure all processes and systems are used in accordance with operational and compliance needs
- Complete weekly reports that align to the CCS strategic plan
- Identify and escalate all risks to the FWC
- Complete and record data for engagements, phone calls, home visits, outreach and other as required
- Contribute to the KNAC communications such as the newsletter, AGM, CLH and any other publications
- Coordinate the KNAC Housing and Community Program Roadshow within the Pilbara and Southwest Region
- Coordinate the KNAC Newman Housing and Community Program Newman Satellite Service
- Coordinate the KNAC and Ray White Christmas Appeal partnership
- Coordinate the KNAC Housing Procurement processes and documentations
- Always maintain and encourage the highest safety standards
- Comply with all WH&S standards, policies, and procedures
- Report all accidents and/or incidents to Management immediately
- Rectify identified hazards where possible and report to Management as soon as possible
Housing & Homelessness Support – Team Leader
Centacare Kimberley
Broome, Western Australia
11.2021 - 07.2023
- In consultation with the CEO and General Manager, support and guide staff to deliver quality services to people engaged in service supports
- In consultation with the CEO and General Manager monitor, evaluate and report on service delivery and design
- Work with the CEO and General Manager to develop innovative service delivery models
- Provide monthly professional supervision to staff engaged in direct client service
- Support the CEO and General Manager to identify and apply for new business opportunities
- Represent Centacare Kimberley at stakeholder and community development forums
- Act as liaison and support person for individuals, family and couples wishing to provide feedback on service delivery or design
- Liaise and network with people of significants and other agencies to positively promote Centacare Kimberley and its suite of support services
- Review and make recommendations and assist in formulating culturally appropriate policy and procedures within Centacare Kimberley
- Ensure identified cultural issues are incorporated into service delivery models
- Maintain a positive team environment
- Support and guide staff to deliver quality services that achieve the objectives outlined within service specifications of each contracted service agreement
- Support staff to professionally develop the necessary skills and attributes that enhance Centacare Kimberley’s capacity to provide quality support services
Housing & Homelessness Support – Team Leader
Centacare Kimberley
Broome, Western Australia
11.2020 - 08.2021
- Work with the CEO and General Manager to undertake risk assessment and management to ensure staff benefit from a safe and supportive work environment
- Support the CEO and General Manager in the recruitment of appropriately skilled and qualified employees
- Support the CEO and General Manager to complete annual performance reviews of all employees
- Monitor and supervise staff to ensure compliance with all organisational Policies and Procedures
- Support staff to achieve the outcome objectives outlined within the Service Specifications of individual program Service Agreements
- Undertake regular case reviews to monitor professional practice across services
- Ensure the cultural appropriateness of resources for organisational use
- To positively and actively promote Centacare Kimberley’s full range of services and its partners in the provision of services
- Support the CEO and General Manager to develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders in service delivery areas
- Support the CEO and General Manager to develop and maintain professional linkages and relationships with key people associated with Aboriginal Organisations and Communities throughout the Kimberley region
- Represent Centacare Kimberley at local and regional forums
- Provide monthly service and activity reports to the General Manager
- Support the CEO and General Manager to maintain all essential equipment and resources used for service delivery
- In all work related activities abide by Centacare Kimberley Policies and Procedures
- Work with the CEO and General Manager to complete and submit progress reports for funded services as per contracted Service Specifications
- Support staff facilitate the Homeless Breakfast Program to ensure other stakeholders are engaged to promote SEWB health, physical and mental wellbeing and also environmental health support to our homeless rough sleepers
Homeless Outreach Support Worker
Centacare Kimberley
Broome, Western Australia
03.2018 - 08.2021
- Work in partnership with Department of Communities (DoC) to ensure client tenancy agreement contract is and understood and agreed
- Identify homeless clients in the community
- Initiate education and awareness about Centacare Kimberley's Homeless Outreach Program
- Assist with housing applications to the DoC within priority or public housing guidelines, community housing, private rental, short stay accommodation and rehabilitation centres
- Liaise and network with other agencies to provide approaches to reduction of homelessness
- Facilitate tenancy agreements and transition of approved tenants into their property
- Provide practical advocacy and support services on behalf of tenants in relation to any housing issues
- Work with tenants to ensure all Housing accounts are in credit, no disruptive behaviour breaches are issued and property standards are in accordance with standards and regulations
- Work with tenants to create a support plan and suitable personalised budget
- Assist with brokerage under funding eligibility to establish basic household whitegoods, kitchenware and furniture are available to tenants prior to moving into their property
- Assist and facilitate homeless breakfast program for homeless people including registration, housing information and assistance, shower and laundry resources and accessing other visiting support agencies
- Contribute to and work alongside with the other work organisation programs such as Emergency relief, Mental Health Housing Support, Reintegration Support, Homeless Outreach Support, Transitional Housing and Homeless Outreach Support
- Assessment, case management and referral of clients within the NPAH Guidelines
- Agree to abide by relevant professional ethics, client confidentiality and agency policies and procedures
- Maintain and update client data files, daily activities and social/health services accessed
- Ensure cultural appropriateness of resources for organisational use
- Ensure all data for Centacare and funding bodies is entered regularly
- Maintain all essential equipment used for service delivery
- Conduct Internal liaison with the CEO and the Manager of Programs, Housing Support Workers, Other staff members including volunteers at Father McMahon Place and Centacare and make necessary referrals as required
- Conduct external liaison with the Housing agencies including DoC and Foundation Housing, police, hospital and other government and non-government agencies, aboriginal community organisations, specialist social support agencies, aboriginal and regional health & medical services
Public Tenancy Support
Centacare Kimberley
Broome, Western Australia
03.2018 - 08.2021
- Public Tenancy Support (Move to Town Housing Program Support), Work in partnership with DoC under the Move to Town Program
- Assist with application process of potential tenants from outlying identified Aboriginal communities
- Facilitate tenancy agreements and transition of tenants moving from their communities to town
- Provide practical advocacy and support services on behalf of tenants in relation to any housing issues
- Work with tenants to ensure all Housing accounts are in credit, no disruptive behaviour, breaches are not issued and property standards are in accordance with standards and regulations
- Work with tenants to create a support plan and suitable personalised budget
- Assist with brokerage under funding eligibility to establish basic household whitegoods and furniture are available to tenants prior to moving into their property
- Ensure cultural respect issues are incorporated into service delivery
- Undertake assessment, case management and referral of clients with complex tenancy issues, within the NPAH Guidelines
- Contribute to and work alongside with the other work organisation programs such as Emergency relief, Mental Health Housing Support, Reintegration Support, Homeless Outreach Support, Transitional Housing and Homeless Outreach Support
- Agree to abide by relevant professional ethics, client confidentiality and agency policies and procedures
- Maintain and update client data files, daily activities and social/health services accessed
- Ensure cultural appropriateness of resources for organisational use
- Ensure all data for Centacare and funding bodies is entered regularly
- Provide monthly reports and attend monthly meetings with Department of Communities – Housing
- Maintain all essential equipment used for service delivery
- Conduct internal liaison with the Manager of Centacare Kimberley, Rough Sleeper Outreach workers, Mental Health Outreach workers, and other staff members including volunteers
- Conduct external liaison with Social Housing agencies including Department of Housing, Government and non-government agencies, Aboriginal community organisations, Specialist social support agencies and Aboriginal and Regional Health & Medical Services
- Maintain excellent attendance record, consistently arriving to work on time
Indigenous Engagement Officer
HelpingMinds
04.2016 - 06.2016
- Company Overview: Arafmi Mental Carers WA
- Promoted HelpingMinds targeting local Indigenous people and communities
- Worked closely with the Family and Youth Support workers to support families and be proactive in the referral process within the YoungMinds program
- Attended and represented HelpingMinds at meetings, networking events and other community events with a view to increase the local indigenous community's awareness of HelpingMinds services
- Worked in collaboration with the Team Leader and Marketing Manager formulate marketing, public relations and communications materials and strategies, which effectively target indigenous stakeholders
- Continued to maintain healthy working relationships with key Indigenous agencies and contacts, checking in regularly with an aim to create partnerships of mutual benefits
- Ensured the services that HelpingMinds provides are meeting the needs of their indigenous clients and communities by using personal and professional insight to identify the primary mental health needs of the indigenous client group
- Identified potential new service areas or ideas and ways of providing services, which may best suit Indigenous clientele
- Arafmi Mental Carers WA
Female Social Emotional Wellbeing Health Worker
Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
Broome
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Supported, counselled and offered referral to allied health or other services for female clients in areas such as substance misuse, mental health, parenting, family violence and self-care
- Engaged with BRAMS Family Centre's antenatal clinic, child health clinic and paediatric clinic working closely with the midwife, child health nurses and visiting paediatric and child psychologist to ensure clients attended appointments and were getting the appropriate health care by supporting the client and their family and completed medical referrals to Doctor or allied health for further investigation or treatment if needed
- Reviewed and assessed the social situation of non-attending clients, male and female to BRAMS clinic by conducting home visits to identify problems and offer support the needed
- Maintained and quarantined a room for the Psychiatry Services from Kimberley Mental Health Drug Service for their fortnightly clinic
- Performed physical health checks and assisted the Doctor on duty for Mental Wellbeing Clinics and arranged impending appointments for Psychiatrist and Mental Wellbeing clinics as requested and liaised with Kimberley Mental Health Drug Service staff to enable client's attendance
Tackling Smoking Health Worker
Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
Broome
03.2014 - 12.2014
- Performed holistic health check on clients to determine smoking status
- Offered support and performed education and awareness on smoking and its effects to clients wanting to give up smoking
- Maintained a close relationship with clients to encourage giving up smoking and introduced to nicotine replacement therapy
- Promoted and engaged in-school and community events to promote the health effects of smoking
- Collaborated closely with the Antenatal team to support and counsel clients on the effects of smoking during and after pregnancy
- Met with other Tackling Smoking Health Workers to discuss strategies to work more efficiently
Patient Care Assistant & Driver
Kimberley Satellite Dialysis Centre
07.2012 - 02.2014
- Transported patients to and from for dialysis medical treatment
- Couriered pharmacy and pathology supplies as required
- Assisted dialysis patients according to their personal and medical needs before, during and after their dialysis session
- Assisted clinical staff to clean the patient dialysis machines and equipment as per protocol after each treatment
- Assisted to unpack fortnightly dialysis stock onto the storeroom shelves as required, ensuring sufficient medical supplies for clients
- Demonstrated level of infection control standards within the Unit Liaise with patient and other staff to ensure SEWB needs are met
School Based Attendance Officer
Broome Senior High School
Broome
07.2009 - 01.2011
- Collaborated with school staff including the Principal, Deputies, Year Leaders, Teachers, AIEO's, Parents, Kimberley District Office (KDEO), other School Based Attendance Officers (SBAO) and the Community to identify student absentees and truancy
- Made regular contact, including phone calls and home visits and establish community government and allied organisations to monitor and engage identified students and their families
- Assisted the Principal, Deputies and Year Leaders with the development and implementation of a range of preventative strategies, and incentives through case conference at the school level to engage and support non-attending and alienated students to improve student attendance, participation and retention, whilst ensuring confidentiality
- Maintained student specific case notes, home visits notes and relevant attendance information for reporting to the school
- Met and greeted students each morning combating lateness prior to meeting with Student Services Team, Year Leaders and School Psychologist to update them on identified student's behaviour and attendance
- Worked in with the School Initiative Programs such as Clontarf Football Academy, Broome Girls Basketball Academy, Cultural Centre and Follow the Dream for our indigenous student's attendance
- Assisted the Participation Coordinator to explore alternative educational, vocational or employment options, as appropriate in accordance with KDEO for students 16 and over
- Competently used the SIS computerized education database and entered relevant data consistently and accurately
Education
Diploma of Mental Health - Mental Health
Marr Mooditj College
Perth, WA12.2017
Certificate IV - Mental Health
Marr Mooditj College
Perth, WA12.2017
Skills
- Resource mobilization
- Documentation
- Technical assistance
- Data collection
- Expertise in social and private housing
- Project planning
- Organizational skills
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Customer relationship management
- Effective communication
- Time management abilities
- Experience in leadership
- Team leadership
- Team collaboration
- Documentation skills
- Capacity building
- Logistics coordination
- Strategic planning
References
- Miss Soraya Daniels, Community Coordinator, KNAC, South Hedland, WA, 0408 473 684, communitycoordinator@karlka.com.au
- Miss Nicole Hutchinson, Senior Client Manager, Mutual Trust, Perth, WA, 6000, 08 9230 7707, nicole.hutchinson@mutualtrust.com.au
- Miss Michelle Biondi, Manager (relocated), Centacare Kimberley, Broome, WA, 6725, 0410914517, Chelle-biondi@hotmail.com
- Mr Henry Williams, Team Leader – Reintegration, Centacare Kimberley, Broome, WA, 6725, 0439 994 876, rsstl@centacarekimberley.org.au
- Mr Cameron Hardy, Senior Case Worker Disruptive Behaviour, Dept. Communities – Housing, Broome, WA, 6725, Cameron.hardy@communities.wa.gov.au
- Miss Samantha Aldridge, Housing Coordinator, Foundation Housing, Broome, WA, 6725, 0476 038 805, Samanthaa@foundationhousing.org.au
- Mrs Tania Bin Barker, CEO, Kimberley Stolen Generation, Broome, WA, 6725, 0409 936 502, ceo@ksgac.com.au
Timeline
Home Support Program Officer
Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation
11.2023 - Current
Housing & Homelessness Support – Team Leader
Centacare Kimberley
11.2021 - 07.2023
Housing & Homelessness Support – Team Leader
Centacare Kimberley
11.2020 - 08.2021
Homeless Outreach Support Worker
Centacare Kimberley
03.2018 - 08.2021
Public Tenancy Support
Centacare Kimberley
03.2018 - 08.2021
Indigenous Engagement Officer
HelpingMinds
04.2016 - 06.2016
Female Social Emotional Wellbeing Health Worker
Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
01.2015 - 12.2015
Tackling Smoking Health Worker
Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
03.2014 - 12.2014
Patient Care Assistant & Driver
Kimberley Satellite Dialysis Centre
07.2012 - 02.2014
School Based Attendance Officer
Broome Senior High School
07.2009 - 01.2011
Diploma of Mental Health - Mental Health
Marr Mooditj College
Certificate IV - Mental Health
Marr Mooditj College
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