Services and Programs Officer

Aboriginal Services and Programs Officer

Location – Tamworth Correctional Centre

Employment type – Temporary (up to 12 months)

Salary – $99,938 - $110,270pa + Superannuation and leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.

Your role

As a Services and Programs Officer, you will play a vital role in supporting Aboriginal inmates in custody through culturally safe practices, trauma-informed care, and holistic reintegration planning.

You will:

• Facilitate culturally appropriate programs that address offending behaviour and promote healing.
• Provide individual case support and work with inmates to identify strengths, needs, and future goals.
• Collaborate with Aboriginal service providers, community Elders, and family networks to support strong cultural identity and reintegration.
• Support pre-release planning with a focus on restoring connection to culture, Country, and community.
• Respond to critical situations with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and professional guidance.

What we're looking for

We want to hear from people who:

• Have a deep understanding of the impacts of intergenerational trauma, systemic disadvantage, and barriers Aboriginal people face in the justice system.
• Are strong communicators with the ability to engage and build trust with Aboriginal people in custody and community.
• Bring professional or lived experience in areas such as healing work, community services, justice, social work, mental health, or education.
• Can confidently facilitate group and individual sessions in complex environments.
• Value integrity, cultural safety, and strengths-based practice.

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Where a position is identified, an applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in 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.

Download the role description.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people

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, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close 23rd 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 Rachel Sherwood via

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 contact Erica Tam via or call

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 visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).

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

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