Youth Justice Key Worker Team Leader, Youth Justice

Department: Northern CPPYJ

Location:
Wagga Wagga, NSW, AU, 2650

Custom Field 4: 78192

Youth Justice Key Worker Team Leader -

Cockatoo Initiative, Whole of Government Initiatives Team, Youth Justice

• Temporary, Full time up to 30 June 2027
• Location: Wagga Wagga
• Clerk Grade 8/9, Salary ($121,845 - $ 133,105 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This is a targeted recruitment. While all applicants are welcome, preference will be given to candidates who meet the established standards of the role and are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander descent. This is because the Department acknowledges this lived experience contributes a perspective valuable to our work with this community.

Your role

As a team leader, your role will include supporting and guiding 3 x Key Workers alongside the Manager, Family Initiatives Team, preparing high level written documents including reports, managing administrative information and reporting, and undertaking project work when needed. Leadership development opportunities will be provided.

Leads, supports, guides and mentors a multidisciplinary team that provides early intervention aimed at redirecting young people from violent narratives.

Working holistically to empower communities and families create alternate narratives away from violence.

What you'll do

• Oversee and support decision making and problem solving to support achievement of established outcomes.
• Support, guide, mentor and lead other Youth Justice Key Workers.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation for reporting, monitoring and evaluation purposes to ensure accessibility of quality information and contribute to the achievement of project outcomes.

• Develop and maintain relationships with the Aboriginal community and key community stakeholders to successfully provide and deliver front line services to young people.

• Undertake case management activities that divert young people away from violence. This includes, holding a caseload, case planning, and delivering intervention that strengthens identity and stories that lead away from violent narratives.

• Ensure accurate record-keeping and data integrity to support effective planning, decision making and contributing to the accountability and continuous improvement.

• Work collaboratively, coordinate and communicate with the Manager Family Initiatives Team, Cockatoo Initiative staff, Short Term Remand Coordinator, and a range of government and non-government stakeholders on service delivery and best practice standards.

• Use detailed structured screening and assessment tools to identify the risks and needs of young people and determine the level and types of interventions/programs required, including family and crisis interventions.

• Provide young people and their families with the tools, information, and support to create positive change in their lives and contribute more productively within their community.
• Engage young people in therapeutic conversations that lead away from violent narratives and engage in reflective practice/supervision to ensure quality control.

What we're looking for

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (diploma or higher) in social work, welfare, psychology, criminology, education or related field or equivalent experience.
• Current NSW Working with Children Clearance
• Current Driver's Licence

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

Download the role description.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

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.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment

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 of the role and answer the two targeted questions below:

• Please outline your experience in supporting, guiding and mentoring a team of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff?

• How would you manage a caseload and simultaneously lead a team?

Applications close Tuesday, 21st October 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Shilo Barker 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 (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Olivia Alipalo on or via

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

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 and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people.

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

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