Child Safety Officer

Every child needs someone. So does every family. What if it's you?

The Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety has permanent Child Safety Officer (CSO) roles available in our North Queensland Placement Services Unit , ensuring the protection and welfare of children and youth. Graduates and career changers with experience or interest in being a social worker, youth worker, counsellor, or similar – this role is for you

Based in the Mackay or Bowen Child Safety Service Centres (CSSC), you will work closely with other Placement Services Unit (PSU) CSOs reporting to, and supported by, your Senior Team Leader. You will collaborate with Child Safety Officers (CSOs) and Cultural Practice Advisors (CPAs) in your CSSC to ensure children and young people's safety across your region.

Our Placement Services Unit is a unique team, working collaboratively across child safety and our partner NGOs. This frontline role is rewarding in more ways than one, with a generous starting salary over $101,000 plus great additional benefits.

Life in North Queensland

When you join the North Queensland PSU, you'll be part of a team working alongside other government departments in this busy Central QLD town. Living in Mackay or Bowen, you'll have access to great amenities including airports, hospitals, shopping centres, cinemas and more.

On the water, Bowen and Mackay are on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef and are a gateway to the Whitsundays with opportunities for tropical ocean adventures. There are also stunning hinterlands to explore, and Australia's longest subtropical rainforest.

Mackay is home to over 120,000 people and has a strong and varied community culture that blends the regions farming, mining, and tourism industries with coastal town life. Bowen has a population of over 11,000, and is just 40 minutes from Airlie Beach, it also houses the Big Mango, showcasing the famous Bowen Mangos that many in this area farm.

This is your chance to be part of a vital team, and have the oceanfront lifestyle of your choice.

What does being a PSU CSO mean?

As a CSO you'll be a voice for the voiceless, a statutory advocate for children and young people's safety and wellbeing under the
Child Protection Act 1999
.

Working in placement services, you will be part of a team that finds homes for our most vulnerable young people, and works continuously to ensure their safety. You'll collaborate primarily with our partners in foster and kinship care, as well as residential care, ensuring their care is safe for children. You'll provide culturally respectful and appropriate support to organisations housing young people from diverse backgrounds, including varying races, socio-economic standings, abilities, and gender and sexual orientations.

Working in a collaborative team, you'll work standard office hours, with occasional participation in an after-hours roster. You'll also have the option to engage in flexible work arrangements.

Being a CSO means getting to do work that truly matters. You'll walk with children and families, to keep them safe and help build the better futures they deserve.

To learn more about the CSO role, please click here.

What you get for becoming a CSO:

In this vital role you will walk away each day knowing you're making a tangible difference to the safety of children and young people in Queensland, but don't take our word for it – hear what our frontline staff say here. Along with an attractive annual salary in line with PO3 circa $101,286 - $110,366 and 12.75% superannuation, you will receive:

• Flexible leave and TOIL options
• 2 weeks of formal training and ongoing training including one-on-ones with your leader throughout the first year of your role
• Many opportunities for career growth and progression
• Additional regional and remote benefits up to $10,000 annually, PLUS accommodation subsidies, extra leave entitlements, and more

Working in Mackay or Bowen, you will also receive rural benefits including:

• Area allowance of $2,500 annually PLUS fortnightly locality allowance up to $43.40
• 5 extra days of paid annual leave
• Relocation assistance negotiable for the right candidate
• Regional travel opportunities and allowances

You'll be part of a team that lifts you up and keeps you strong and have the chance to gain deep experience, incredible personal growth and skills for a lifelong career.

For more information on the benefits of becoming a CSO, please click here.

What you need to be a PSU CSO:

Our CSOs come from diverse backgrounds; some are trained as social workers, youth workers, counsellors, psychologists, support workers, and more. What's most important is your passion for keeping children safe. Working in Placement Services means you'll need to work fast, and compile many reports and audits, building and maintaining stakeholder relationships with our partner agencies, as well as carers, families, and kin. Help us deliver the best future for children and families, rise to the challenge of ever-changing work, and ensure children's voices are heard across Queensland.

Join us and be part of a team of enthusiastic and dedicated advocates across Queensland.

To join us as a CSO you will need:

• An Australian Driver's License, and the legal right to work in Australia
• A Bachelor Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or a Bachelor Degree in a related field and further study or work experience – please click here for more details
• An understanding of statutory role, including knowledge of the
  Child Protection Act 1999
  , and the ability to write case notes while maintaining privacy

For more information about qualification and eligibility requirements, please click here
.

Building and maintaining professional relationships with organisations, high-level organisation and data collation skills are necessary for success in this role.

Previous departmental applicants are advised that they will be subject to internal disciplinary checks.

Every child needs someone. So does every family. What if it's you?
Kick-start your career in Child Safety - click Apply Now