Aboriginal (Identified) Youth Officer - Cobham Youth Justice Centre (St Marys)

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Aboriginal (Identified) Youth Officer - Cobham Youth Justice Centre (St Marys)

• Ongoing and temporary roles
• Full-time equivalent, rostered shifts 24/7
• Paid training and development
• This recruitment is for intakes from September 2024 onward
• Salary package from $67,006 to $74,803 p.a., superannuation, plus shift allowances and penalty rates as applicable
• Applications close on Sunday 7 July 2024 at 11:59pm

Important - Requirement for this position

Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent through parentage, identify as being an Australian Aboriginal and accepted in the community as such. Authorised under s14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position.

Who we're looking for

We are seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cultural knowledge and life skills who can communicate well, remain calm under pressure and want to help young offenders make better choices. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Officers provide cultural advice and support to young people, their families, colleagues and the community. 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 Cobham Youth Justice Centre

Cobham Youth Justice Centre is one of six Youth Justice centres across NSW. It is the principle remand centre in NSW for males aged 15 years and over. The centre has the capacity to accommodate up to 105 young people and is located at St Marys in Western Sydney. Opened in June 1980, it houses young people predominantly from the Sydney metropolitan area and 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 an Identified Youth Officer you will:

• Provide Aboriginal cultural intervention to young people
• Provide cultural advice and support to colleagues on working with Aboriginal young people, their families and communities
• Be involved in culturally responsive programs and activities
• 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

• Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent through parentage, identify as being an Australian Aboriginal and accepted in the community as such. Authorised under s14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position.
• Possession of a minimum Provisional 2 NSW Driver's licence
• National Background Police Check
• 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
• NSW Working with Children Check Clearance
• Possession or willingness to obtain the 'Provide First Aid Certificate' (HLTAID003)
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Availability to complete 5 weeks of full-time training to prepare you for entry level duties - the Induction Training and Assessment Program (ITAP). The next intake will be in September 2024.
• 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.

• Proof of Aboriginality, Working with Children Check (WWCC) and First Aid certificate.

Key Dates

• Closing Date for applications is Sunday 7 July 2024at 11:59PM
• You may then be invited to participate in an interview and assessment process which will be held in mid July.

Write to *******@dcj.nsw.gov.au or call 02 8688 8*** if you are experiencing technical issues with the application or have a question about the recruitment process.

Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact Olivia Alipalo on 02 8688 8*** or at *******@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, please contact Olivia Alipalo via *******@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.

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 Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

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

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