Policy Officer

**Great opportunity to join Youth Justice on an ongoing basis in Melbourne.**:

- **Contribute to the development of expert advice, reasoned recommendations and innovative policy options and solutions to highly complex and sensitive issues for Youth Justice.**:

- **Support the engagement function for key government policies and program delivery.**

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is responsible for the supervision of children and young people in the criminal justice system and for providing strategic advice and delivering strategic outcomes to address youth crime and reduce offending.

The Youth Justice Diversion, Community and Programs branch is responsible for ensuring that programs and services are in place that meet the needs of young people in Youth Justice. This includes designing programs and services being delivered or funded by Youth Justice, progressing reform opportunities to support young people under Youth Justice supervision in the community, and diversion away from, and transition out of, custody.

**The Opportunity**
- Ongoing, full-time position based in Melbourne.
- VPS Grade 4 role: $97,955 - $111,142per year plus superannuation.
- Research, analyse, prepare and present high quality, comprehensive written materials including solutions focused reports, briefings, papers and presentations on policy and program issues and options for the Minister, departmental executives, and internal and external committees.
- Support the successful delivery and completion of projects within quality, resourcing and timeline parameters.

**To be successful in this role you will have**:

- Experience, knowledge or interest in Victorian Government administrative processes.
- Experience, knowledge or interest in Youth Justice and the criminal justice system more broadly.
- Experience, knowledge or interest in developing, designing and implementing significant program or policy initiatives.
- Experience, knowledge or interest in current policy direction, research and issues within Youth Justice and the needs of young people involved in the criminal justice system.

A current Employee Working with Children Check (WWCC) card is required and will need to be provided prior to commencement of employment by the applicant. Currency will need to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.'
- To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description._

**What's in it for you?**

You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

There are many advantages in working for the department, including:

- **Job stability** - position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
- **A fair salary**:

- enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
- **Transparent performance framework**:

- approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
- **Generous leave entitlements**:

- provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
- **Employee Assistance Program support** - you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.

**Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.**
- For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made_

We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce - we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.

We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.

**If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Monday 3**rd** November 2025.**

**How to apply**

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**:
**CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT**:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture