Department: Executive and Business Services
Department/Agency: Department of Communities and Justice
Location:
Strawberry Hills, NSW, AU, 2012
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Req ID: 85508
Strawberry Hills
Temporary up to 15 November 2027 (possibility of extension) - Full-Time (35 HPW)
Clerk Grade 9/10, base salary ($133,348 - $146,945), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
Your role
Established in July 2025, the Office for Youth connects the NSW Government with young people, ensuring their voices influence policy. Through accessible engagement platforms and a focus on consultation, co‑design, expert advice, stakeholder support and innovation, it works to create meaningful, lasting impact.
The Senior Participation Officer will develop and deliver innovative consultation and participation initiatives that strengthen the voice of children and young people in decisions affecting their lives, in line with Part 4 of the Advocate for Children and Young People Act 2014 and the Office for Youth Work Plan. The role involves extensive engagement with children and young people across NSW to inform policy, programs, and decision-making.
What you’ll do
Lead and deliver consultation and participation projects that amplify the voices of children and young people and inform policy, programs, and decision-making across NSW.
Monitor emerging issues, risks, trends, and best practice in youth participation, providing evidence-based advice and recommendations to support strategic priorities.
Design and manage end-to-end projects, including consultation methodologies, project planning, resource coordination, budget management, reporting, and evaluation to achieve quality outcomes on time and within scope.
Analyse qualitative and quantitative data to identify key insights and develop clear reports, presentations, and recommendations for diverse audiences.
Build and maintain effective relationships with children and young people, government agencies, community organisations, and other stakeholders through strong engagement, communication, and negotiation.
Manage multiple complex and interconnected priorities while handling sensitive matters with professionalism, confidentiality, and a focus on achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
Manage the NSW Youth Advisory Council including to facilitate 6-8 in person meetings every 6-8 weeks, out-of-session mentoring, coordination and oversight of priority work.
Work with the team on sector uplift to design and facilitate training and guidance for the sector on involving children and young people in decision making processes
What we’re looking for
Stakeholder Engagement – Builds strong relationships and collaborates effectively with children, young people, and stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
Project Delivery – Leads and manages complex projects, balancing priorities to deliver results on time and within budget.
Research & Analysis – Uses data, evidence, and environmental scanning to identify issues, assess risks, and inform decision-making.
Youth Participation & Judgement – Applies best-practice participation approaches and sound judgement to manage sensitive and complex matters.
Download the role description.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
A challenging and rewarding career
Flexible, autonomous work environment
Competitive pay and conditions
Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Essential requirements
Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
Some evening and weekend work as required to meet the needs of participating young people is required.
A current valid NSW driver’s license (unrestricted) and willingness to travel regularly and stay overnight is required.
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the targeted question below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:
Targeted Question 1 - Provide an example of a project you have planned and delivered and the steps you took to adapt to changing circumstances? What was the outcome?
Applications close Sunday 30 August 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Sophia Finlay Melville, Manager Participation via
[email protected]
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Paola Piña | Talent Acquisition Officer, via
[email protected]
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/
