Youth Officer

**Youth Officer - Acmena Youth Justice Centre**
- Shift work covering 24/7
- Paid training and development
- Casual rate of $33.79 + casual loading per hour, OR
- Salary package from $67,006 to $74,803 p.a., superannuation, plus shift allowances and penalty rates as applicable

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply.

**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' (HLTAID003)
- 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**
- Ensure that you have read the Role Description
- Check that you are able to meet the requirements for the role listed above
- 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 a