Youth Officer - Orana

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Now accepting applications for 2025
Apply for Casual, Temporary and Ongoing (full-time) positions
Paid training and development
Base entry rate of $35.14+ casual loading per hour, OR
Salary package from $67,006 to $74,803 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 Orana Youth Justice Centre Orana Youth Justice Centre is one of six Youth Justice centres across NSW. Opened in December 1999, Orana Youth Justice Centre is located in Dubbo and has a capacity of 30 young people. The centre accommodates males, mainly from the Central and Far West areas of NSW, who are on control orders or remanded in custody. Youth Officers working at Orana provide supervision to young people in custody aged between 10-21 years, who are some of the most vulnerable people in the state. Many of these young people come from traumatic backgrounds and can display unpredictable behaviour. The centre also offers a range of health, educational and spiritual services to the young people, including individual case management, specialised counselling, and training in job and living skills.
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 opportunityAccess to staff benefitsSupportive team environment5 weeks of full-time training to prepare you for entry-level dutiesA job that gives back to the communityAs 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 basisRespond to challenging situationsMaintain a safe and secure environment for the young people and staff within the centreProactively avert risk and solve problemsBe a positive role model who is willing to reinforce boundariesWork in accordance with relevant department legislation, policies and proceduresFollow a structured routine and help young people adjust to the routine by role modelling and demonstrating expectationsCommunicate well and find common ground with othersRemain calm in high pressure situationsBe energetic and enjoy working as part of a teamBe willing to facilitate and participate in programs to develop the skills of young peopleBe confident in managing conflict in a high pressure and fast paced environmentBe resilient and flexible in your approach to working with othersRequirements of the role Meet citizenship or residency requirementsPossession of a minimum Provisional 2 NSW driver's licenceNational Background Police CheckNSW Working with Children Check ClearancePossession or willingness to obtain the 'Provide First Aid Certificate' (HLTAID011)Good verbal and written communication skillsAbility to work in a team environmentMedical and Fitness Assessment to determine that you are fit to safely carry out the duties of the role without significant risk to yourself or othersAvailability 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:
Check that you are able to meet the requirements for the role listed aboveClick the 'apply' button to submit your applicationEnsure you answer all the pre-screening questionsAttach the following -An updated resume of no more than three (3) pages which clearly details your skills and experience as relevant to the positionA 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.Write to or call 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 or at
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
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruitWe 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 InformationA 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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