Youth Officer - Acmena Youth Justice Centre (Grafton)

Department of Communities and Justice

Grafton, Coffs Harbour and North Coast NSW

Child Welfare, Youth and Family Services (Community Services and Development)

Full time

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description: Youth Officer - Acmena Youth Justice Centre

Now accepting applications for 2026

Apply for Casual, Temporary and Ongoing (full-time) positions

Shift work covering 24/7

Paid training and development

Casual rate of 36.20 + casual loading per hour, OR

Salary package from 71,777 to 80,129 p.a., superannuation, plus shift allowances and penalty rates as applicable

Training intakes are held throughout the year

Targeted Recruitment: The Department of Communities and Justice acknowledges the importance of lived experience and how it contributes to the valuable work we do with the community. We strongly encourage and support applications from people who are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. While applications from people with diverse cultural backgrounds are welcome, once we have determined through merit-based assessment which candidates meet the pre-established standards of the role, we will select the candidate who is also of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent (as appropriate).

Who we're looking for

We are seeking people with life skills who can communicate well, remain calm under pressure and want to help young offenders make better choices. The roles include positive leadership and supervision while assisting in the care, development and security of young people in custody in NSW.

About Youth Justice NSW: Youth Justice NSW is a division of the Department of Communities and Justice within the Stronger Communities NSW cluster. Formerly known as Juvenile Justice, Youth Justice NSW supervises and provides custodial and community-based services for young offenders under the Children (Detention Centres) Act, 1987. There are six Youth Justice centres across NSW which accommodate young offenders and offer health, educational and spiritual services, including individual case management, specialised counselling, and training in job and living skills. There are also 34 Youth Justice Community offices that provide community-based intervention for young people who are at risk of reoffending. Youth Justice NSW aims to work with young people to reduce their reoffending, rehabilitate and return them to society.

About Acmena Youth Justice Centre: Opened in 1999, Acmena Youth Justice Centre is one of six Youth Justice centres across NSW. The centre is located in South Grafton, an hour drive Northwest of Coffs Harbour and accommodates up to 45 young people, predominately from the far North Coast, Mid North Coast and New England areas. Acmena offers a range of services, programs and interventions to address individual needs and reduce offending. Many of these young people come from traumatic backgrounds and can display unpredictable behaviour.

About the role: Youth Officers supervise and work with young people in Youth Justice Centres across NSW. It is a shift-work based role which includes night shifts and weekend work. Youth Officers are frontline staff and work within the secure residential units of a Youth Justice Centre.

The role offers: A culturally diverse workplace with equal opportunity. Access to staff benefits. Supportive team environment. 5 weeks of full-time training to prepare you for entry-level duties. A job that gives back to the community. Help young people reintegrate back into society.

As a Youth Officer you will: Supervise young people in custody and ensure all their needs such as health, hygiene and wellbeing are met on a daily basis. Respond to challenging situations. Maintain a safe and secure environment for the young people and staff within the centre. Proactively avert risk and solve problems. Be a role positive role model who is willing to reinforce boundaries. Work in accordance with relevant department legislation, policies and procedures. Follow a structured routine and help young people adjust to the routine by role modelling and demonstrating expectations. Communicate well and find common ground with others. Remain calm in high pressure situations. Be energetic and enjoy working as part of a team. Be willing to facilitate and participate in programs to develop the skills of young people. Be confident in managing conflict in a high pressure and fast paced environment. Be resilient and flexible in your approach to working with others

Requirements of the role: Meet citizenship or residency requirements. Possession of a minimum Provisional 2 NSW driver's licence. National Background Police Check. NSW Working with Children Check Clearance. Possession or willingness to obtain the 'Provide First Aid Certificate' (HLTAID011). Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work in a team environment. Medical and Fitness Assessment to determine that you are fit to safely carry out the duties of the role without significant risk to yourself or others. Availability to complete 5 weeks of full-time training to prepare you for entry level duties: the Induction Training and Assessment Program (ITAP). You must pass the assessments during these initial 5 weeks of full-time training to be declared as ready for entry-level duties.

How to apply

For your application to be considered, you must: Ensure that you have read the Role Description. Check that you are able to meet the requirements for the role listed above. Click the 'apply' button to submit your application. Ensure you answer all the pre-screening questions. Attach the following - An updated resume of no more than three (3) pages which clearly details your skills and experience as relevant to the position.

A cover letter of no more than one (1) page introducing yourself and explaining your interest in the role. Driver's license (NSW P2 or above). Working with Children Check (WWCC) and First Aid Certificate if you already have them. Eligible applicants will be invited to participate in an interview and assessment process.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, 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

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Contact Merina Maharjan via careers@dcj.nsw.gov.au Contact Merina Maharjan on 0473430764 or via careers@dcj.nsw.gov.au