Office of the Children’s Guardian
- Exciting opportunity to join a dynamic workplace and play a role in keeping our children safe.
- Join a supportive and collaborative team culture with learning & development opportunities with access to LinkedIn Learning and health & wellbeing programs such as seminars and Fitness Passport.
- One full-time, ongoing role located at Strawberry Hills with hybrid / flexible working arrangements.
- Clerk Grade 7/8 - $116,981 - $129,492 (effective as of 1 July 202 plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
About the Office of Children’s Guardian
The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) upholds NSW children and young people’s right to be safe by overseeing, regulating and monitoring organisations and individuals that provide services to children. We are guided by our values of integrity, trust, service, accountability, respect and empathy.
To about the Office of the Children’s Guardian, visit our website.
About the directorate
The Reportable Conduct Scheme requires entities from government and non-government sectors to respond to allegations against employees. We may also investigate an allegation, or an entity’s handling of an allegation, if we hold significant concerns about a situation.
We provide advice and guidance to entities investigating allegations against their employees, so that children’s rights to a safe environment are balanced with employees’ rights to a proper investigation.
In addition to overseeing investigations, we also scrutinise the systems that entities have for preventing reportable conduct by employees, and handling and responding to reportable allegations or convictions involving those employees.
About the role
The Investigation Officer is supported in oversighting investigations by organisations that come under the Reportable Conduct Scheme and their actions in preventing and responding to reportable allegations, as well as handling enquiries, notifications, and complaints under the Children’s Guardian Act 2019.
We are seeking a motivated and resilient person to:
- Handle enquiries, make formal inquiries and provide timely advice, guidance and training to relevant entities on best practice in preventing and responding to reportable allegations.
- Provide guidance and oversight on the way in which organisations respond to reportable allegations, including risk assessment, risk management and investigation having regard to quality standards, performance measures and critical risks.
Due to the nature of the RCD’s work, occupants in this role will be exposed to content, hear stories about other people’s experiences with and be involved in work on potentially distressing and sensitive topics involving children, including sexual offences, sexual misconduct, physical assault, neglect, and behaviour causing serious psychological and emotional harm involving children. Staff have access to support through our Employee Assistance Program, clinical supervision program and other wellbeing initiatives and training. We encourage applicants to carefully consider their comfort level with this aspect of the role before applying.
Key knowledge and experience
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Demonstrated knowledge/skills in, or an ability to acquire a sound understanding of, the NSW child protection system, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and best investigative practice.
- Strong verbal and written communication, planning and organisational skills.
- Qualifications or knowledge/experience in administrative law and/or in government investigations are not required however are well regarded.
Essential Requirements
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Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, or equivalent knowledge and workplace experience including ongoing professional development.
- Employment at the Office of the Children’s Guardian is subject to the satisfactory completion of security and related vetting checks.
- All roles associated with the Office of the Children's Guardian are required to have a current Working with Children Check.
For further information about the role, please view the role description.
Our commitment to Diversity
We welcome and encourage applications from people across our diverse community, especially from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. We believe everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, valued and heard regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability.
The OCG encourages applications from people with disability and will provide reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.
If you require an adjustment in the recruitment process, please contact the OCG People and Culture team on (0 8219 3661 or
[email protected] and advise of your preferred method of communication.
How to apply
When applying you will need to attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) which also addresses the two targeted questions below and an up-to-date resume (maximum 5 pages) in either Word or PDF format.
We are looking for you to demonstrate your competence in the focus capabilities as outlined in the role description, so please develop your response with this in mind.
Targeted questions
- Describe a time when you have had to manage a high-volume workload with competing priorities. What considerations did you make when prioritising tasks, what challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
- Outline an example of when your manager’s evaluation of your performance indicated that your work did not meet their expectations. What was your key learning and how did you act on it?
Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.
We encourage you to please call or email our contact Sophie Dougherty, Senior Investigation Officer, Reportable Conduct Directorate on 02 8219 3764 or via email at
[email protected] to discuss the role.
Applications closing date: Friday 3 July 2025 at 10:00am
A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process. A talent pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.
