Meet the team: Jessica Rankin

At EyrePlus, our strength lies in our people. Each team member brings unique experiences and a shared commitment to empowering communities across the Eyre Peninsula. In this series, Meet the team, we’ll introduce you to the passionate people who make our work possible.

About Jessica

Originally from rural South Australia, Jessica grew up on a remote station and developed a love for travel early on. Her passion for exploring new places eventually led her to Ceduna, where she fell in love with the region’s coastal lifestyle. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys road trips, sightseeing, and socialising with family and friends.

What led you into this line of work?

With a strong background in finance and banking, Jessica was drawn to a career that allowed her to continue helping people—this time, through employment. Wanting a new challenge and the chance to support regional and Indigenous communities, she transitioned into employment services, where she could bring her customer service and business experience to a more community-focused role.

Tell us about your role and what a typical day at EyrePlus looks like for you

Jessica’s day-to-day involves managing employment strategies, supporting staff with job matching, and building relationships with employers and community stakeholders. A big part of her role is working to identify job seekers’ goals, upskill them where needed, and retain them in meaningful employment. She also supports remote communities by helping them identify workforce needs and create sustainable employment pathways.

How would your team describe you?

Jessica hopes her team sees her as supportive, assertive, approachable, and decisive. She’s known for being a clear communicator, a strong decision-maker, and someone who’s always open to better ways of doing things.

Do you have previous experience in this industry / related experience? 

While Jessica came from a banking and business background, she brought many transferable skills—client relations, managing high-pressure environments, and building employer relationships. She’s also worked in hospitality and music events, which taught her to adapt quickly and manage competing priorities.

What is your favourite thing about working for EyrePlus?

For Jessica, it’s all about the relationships and seeing people thrive. She loves watching both staff and participants grow in confidence and independence, especially when participants transition from job seeking to full-time employment—or even becoming employers themselves. 

What have you learned in your time with EyrePlus?

Jessica has learned the importance of patience, persistence, and personalisation. Not everyone fits into the same employment pathway, and success often means taking the time to really understand what drives each individual—and being flexible enough to adapt support strategies accordingly. 

Any advice for someone looking to get into similar work?

“If you enjoy helping people, supporting a community, and love a bit of a challenge—this is the kind of work that gives you so much in return.”

Those entering the field need to be prepared to adapt, have empathy, and expect challenges. Not everything will work out on the first try, but with patience and problem-solving, the reward of helping someone into sustainable employment is unmatched.