- Great opportunity to join Youth Justice on a fixed-term basis in Melbourne.
- Drive rehabilitative outcomes for young people subject to Youth Justice statutory oversight, with a focus on prioritisation of needs and attending to responsivity
- Contribute to case management and rehabilitative services, best practice frameworks, and case management interventions, through project participation, development and design.
The Department of Justice and Community Safety (Youth Justice) is responsible for the statutory supervision of young people in the criminal justice system in Victoria focusing on prevention, diversion, and early intervention as the most effective and fiscally responsible ways of reducing youth crime. Youth Justice is committed to the demonstration of the Victorian Public Sector values. The values are: responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights.
Youth justice custodial precincts accommodate young people aged 12-18 years who have been remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18-21 year olds sentenced by Adult Courts to youth justice.
The Senior Program Officer reports to the Clinical Manager, Practice Leadership and supports the development and implementation of evidence-based rehabilitation frameworks, assessments and interventions for young people in the Youth Justice system. The position will work collaboratively with the Practice Leadership team and other internal and external stakeholders to inform the development and implementation of a revised case management intervention tool.
The Opportunity
- Fixed term, full time position until June 30, 2027, based in the Melbourne CBD.
- VPS 5 role: $116,413 - $140,849 per year plus superannuation.
- Meaningfully contribute to the development and implementation of the Case Management Intervention Tool (CMIT), including work outputs such as capability frameworks, training and stakeholder engagements.
- Meaningfully contribute to the review and update of the Youth Justice Quality Assurance tool and process including stakeholder engagements, evaluation and education,
- Participate in, and contribute to the secretariat functions, of the High-Risk Panel (HRP) including minute taking, meeting scheduling, tracking and supporting stakeholders to complete assigned actions and other functions as required.
- Provide authoritative practice advice, recommendations, and solutions to highly complex and sensitive issues, including the identification of emerging issues, opportunities, risks, and trends impacting on the achievement of government initiatives.
- Drive system improvement activities, rehabilitation outcomes for priority groups, and case management interventions informed by best-practice principles.
- Undertake sensitive reviews and evaluations of service delivery and practice, to identify risks and trends to support service and policy improvements.
- Drive reforms and other rehabilitative initiatives to reduce youth reoffending.
- Facilitate training and other practice and professional development opportunities to support workforce needs, particularly across case management.
- Provide clear, succinct, and solutions-focused written documentation on complex and sensitive issues, including formal reports, practice guidance, case management interventions and operational policy.
- Monitor and analyse the implementation and delivery of operational and policy initiatives.
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Knowledge of the risk, need, responsivity model or other models of behaviour change.
- Experience in delivering reform programs across multiple program areas.
- Demonstrated knowledge of case management interventions and evidence-based best practice.
- Experience in project delivery or reforms, particularly relating to high-level strategic, technical or case management advice.
- Competent computer literacy skills including ability to compose accurate, timely and concise meeting minutes.
You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check, which you will need to maintain for the period of employment.
To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.
If you have any queries, please contact Liam Shaw on 0429 979 405 or [email protected]
What's in it for you?
You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.
There are many advantages in working for the department, including:
- Job stability - position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
- A fair salary- enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
- Transparent performance framework- approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
- Generous leave entitlements- provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
- Employee Assistance Program support - you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact [email protected] if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.
For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made
We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce - we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.
We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.
If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Monday 27th July 2026.
How to apply
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.
