Policy & Project Officer, Youth Justice

Policy & Project Officer

Youth Justice

• Temporary Full-Time until 30/6/2026
• Location: Parramatta, Newcastle, or other NSW locations considered
• Clerk Grade 7/8 Salary ($113,574 - $ 125,720 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This is a targeted recruitment. While all applicants are welcome, preference will be given to candidates who meet the established standards of the role and are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander descent. This is because the Department acknowledges this lived experience contributes a perspective valuable to our work with this community.

About us

Youth Justice NSW helps young people aged between 10 and 18, that have come into contact, or are at risk of coming into contact, with the criminal justice system. Youth Justice administers court imposed custodial and community supervised orders, as well as intervention programs to help prevent young people from offending.

Youth Justice NSW acknowledges the harm caused by past government policies and practices and the significant impact these have had on First Nations children, families, and communities. We are committed to truth-telling, recognition of past injustices, and working in genuine partnership with First Nations children, families, communities, and the sector to improve outcomes for young people. If you share our values of inclusion, collaboration, courage, and integrity, we encourage you to apply for this role.

Want to help shape a better future for young people?

Join a team that tackles complex challenges head-on and creates real change. The Whole of Government Initiatives Team (WOGIT) in Youth Justice works on issues that no single agency can solve alone. We bring together government, community organisations, and young people to co-design solutions and implement initiatives that make a lasting impact.

Your role

The Policy & Project Officer role will support the ongoing implementation and refinement of multiagency court and community-based initiatives.

What you’ll do

• Engage with stakeholders, including with young people and communities, to inform implementation and program refinement
• Undertake research and analysis of emerging crime trends and evidence-based solutions to inform practice
• Develop monitoring and evaluation tools collaboratively with stakeholders
• Support program governance through re-executing partnership agreements
• Procurement of services, and ongoing support of service providers

What we’re looking for

Essential criteria:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge and experience in policy research, design and / or implementation.

In addition to the above essential criteria, we are looking for someone with:

• Strong research, analysis and writing skills - able to explain ideas clearly and simply, and prepare easy-to-read documents like briefing notes, reports, and communications for different audiences.
• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders with differing opinions.
• Knowledge or experience of developing monitoring and evaluation tools desirable.
• Understanding and knowledge of the significant trauma and disadvantage young people experience. Display key understanding of the unique sensitive, cultural differences and social complexities of young people, their families and communities.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

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!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below

1. Describe a situation where you researched and analysed information to develop a recommendation. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
2. Describe a project where stakeholder consultation shaped the approach. Who did you involve, how did you engage them, and what changed because of their input?

Applications close 11 January 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact:

• Janet Killgallon on 0400790419 or at janet.killgallon@dcj.nsw.gov.au from 5/12/2025 – 24/12/2025
• Sophia Scarpellino on 0477 992 672 or at sophia.scarpellino@dcj.nsw.gov.au from 25/12/2025 -11/1/2026

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 call Olivia Alipalo on 0477 323 408 or via Olivia.Alipalo@dcj.nsw.gov.au

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 and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people.