Youth Justice Key Worker Team Leader - Cockatoo Initiative, Whole of Government Initiatives Team, YJ

Youth Justice Key Worker Team Leader - Cockatoo Initiative, Whole of Government Initiatives Team, YJ

Department: Whole of Government Initiatives

Department/Agency: Department of Communities and Justice

Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW, AU, 2650

Cockatoo Initiative, Whole of Government Initiatives Team,

Youth Justice

Temporary, Full time up to 30 June 2027

Clerk Grade 8/9, Salary ($125,500 – $137,098 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.

Your role

As a team leader, your role will include supporting and guiding 3 x Key Workers and a Justice Health Key Worker within the Whole of Government Initiatives Team, preparing high level written documents including reports, managing administrative information and reporting, and undertaking project work when needed. Leadership development opportunities will be provided.

Leads, supports, guides and mentors a multidisciplinary team that provides early intervention aimed at redirecting young people from violent narratives.

Working holistically to empower communities and families to create alternate narratives away from violence.

What you’ll do

• Oversee and support decision making and problem solving to support achievement of established outcomes.
• Support, guide, mentor and lead Youth Justice Key Workers and a Justice Health Key Worker.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation for reporting, monitoring and evaluation purposes to ensure accessibility of quality information and contribute to the achievement of project outcomes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the Aboriginal community and key community stakeholders to successfully provide and deliver frontline services to young people.
• Undertake case management activities that divert young people away from violence. This includes case planning and delivering intervention that strengthens identity and stories that lead away from violent narratives.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and data integrity to support effective planning, decision making and contributing to the accountability and continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively, coordinate and communicate with the Whole of Government Initiatives Team, Cockatoo Initiative staff, Short Term Remand Coordinator, and a range of government and non-government stakeholders on service delivery and best practice standards.
• Use detailed structured screening and assessment tools to identify the risks and needs of young people and determine the level and types of interventions/programs required, including family and crisis interventions.
• Provide young people and their families with the tools, information, and support to create positive change in their lives and contribute more productively within their community.
• Engage young people in therapeutic conversations that lead away from violent narratives and engage in reflective practice/supervision to ensure quality control.

What we’re looking for

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (diploma or higher) in social work, welfare, psychology, criminology, education or related field or equivalent experience.
• Current NSW Working with Children Clearance
• Current Driver’s Licence

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

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.

1 - Provide an example of when you have led a program or a community event that involved collaboration with the Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander community and or stakeholders. Describe what steps you took and what you learned from this experience.

2 – Tell us about your previous experience with working with young people. Provide an example of when you have encountered a barrier when supporting a young person presenting with complex needs. How did you approach this situation? And what was the outcome for the young person?

Sunday, 27th September 2026 at 11:59pm AEST

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Zoe Lucke on 0484 351 340 or via zoe.lucke@dcj.nsw.gov.au

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

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.

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

The Welcome Experience

Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

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