Aboriginal Practice Officer

Division: Northern CPPYJ
- Location: Kariong, NSW, AU, 2250
- Req ID: 72661

**Aboriginal Practice Officer -**

**Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre,**

**Youth Justice**
- **Temporary Full time up to 10 February 2026**:

- **Location: Kariong**:

- **Clerk Grade 7/8, Salary ($110,266 - $122,058 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading**

**_This position is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons only._**

**Your role**

Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and plan the regional co-ordination and implementation of cultural programs and initiatives that compliment interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Facilitate the identification of and access to people and resources, to enhance effective practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people involved in the justice system. This role is committed to building a workforce that better reflects the perspectives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we serve.

**What you’ll do**
- Develop and maintain relationships with the Aboriginal community and key stakeholders to successfully deliver programs.
- Assist Directors and Managers in addressing the drivers of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in custody.
- Provide direct input to the development of the Community and Custodial priorities and plans, reflecting the objectives of the Youth Justice Aboriginal Strategic Directions (ASD) and the Aboriginal Employment Strategy.
- Address barriers that may limit the successful participation in approved programs and interventions.
- Provide direct input to the development, delivery and evaluation of programs/interventions aligned to effective practice and culturally appropriate services.
- Coordinate and administer the Aboriginal Regional Advisory Committee (ARAC) and promote initiatives that enhance the career development of identified staff.
- Co-facilitate culturally specific educational workshops for regional staff.
- Keep abreast of evidence-based practice literature and resources, identify examples of best practice and assist with region wide implementation.

**What we’re looking for**
- Current NSW Working with Children Check clearance.
- Current Drivers Licence with ability and willingness to drive throughout NSW.
- As an Identified role, this role is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people.

Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification and authorised by Section 14(d) of the _Anti-Discrimination Act 1977_.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. **Either will be accepted**:
Confirmation of Aboriginality form

or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
- identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
- is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
- National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014

Download the role description.

**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.

**Are you ready to join us?**

Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the focus capabilities & requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below:

- As an Aboriginal Practice Officer in a YJ Centre, how would you assist the team, who are largely non-Aboriginal people to work more effectively with young Aboriginal people in custody?
- Due to historical factors our Aboriginal staff can feel culturally unsafe working in the YJ system. Cultural Safety is a focus across Youth Justice to support staff dealing with the pressures of working in Government. What factors would you consider in planning a Cultural safety session with Aboriginal staff and how would you support them.

**Applications close**Monday 3rd M