Job description
Agency Department of Corrections Work unit Youth Justice – Youth Operations
Job title Youth Justice Officer Designation Administrative Officer 4
Job type Full time Duration Ongoing
Salary $77,344 - $88,179 Location Darwin
Position number 79260099 RTF 346366 Closing 17/05/2026
Contact officer Adam Neep, Superintendent Youth Programs on 0419 696 824 or
About the agency https://nt.gov.au/law/youth-justice
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=346366
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR
TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates
people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or
job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go
to the OCPE website.
Primary objective
Provide supervision, support and care to detainees in youth detention centres across the Northern Territory (NT) and ensure the
needs of detainees are met within a secure, culturally safe and therapeutic setting, in accordance with relevant legislation.
Context statement
Youth Justice Officers (YJOs) are frontline officers who supervise and support detainees in youth detention centres. YJOs are
required to follow and promote important daily security procedures and act as positive role models for detainees, set boundaries
and reinforce expected behaviours. YJOs work across a 24-hour, 7 day per week rotational roster, including nights and weekends.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Provide care, supervision, safety and support to detainees in detention that focuses on positive behavioural change.
2. Maintain a safe and secure environment by applying knowledge and techniques gained in operational training, engaging in risk
assessment and undertaking incident report writing in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures.
3. Develop, lead and participate in planned culturally safe programs including education, activities and services which enhance,
support and encourage detainee social development and welfare to address offending behaviours and reintegration into the
community.
4. Develop and lead activities within the centre that contribute towards the mental and physical wellbeing of detainees.
5. Follow feedback and monitoring processes to ensure case management and throughcare requirements are met.
6. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety, and security policies and procedures.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Certificate IV in Youth Justice or ability to acquire the qualification within 12 months of commencement of employment.
2. Experience and knowledge working with people who display challenging or violent behaviours, preferably within a security
context.
3. Experience and knowledge of supervision requirements and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships, maintaining
professional boundaries at all times.
4. Demonstrated high level of verbal communication skills to de-escalate concerning and difficult behaviours in a professional
manner, applying of negotiation techniques that are appropriate to resolve conflict.
5. Possess a high level of written communication with the ability to write comprehensive incident reports and record case notes.
6. Possess a level of physical fitness consistent with the requirement to initially and annually pass the approved behaviour
management and physical intervention training that supports safety in detention and respond to emergency situations.
7. Hold a current NT Driver’s License and a Working with Children Clearance.
Desirable
1. Previous experience in emergency response, regulatory safety frameworks and physical and verbal interventions.
2. An understanding of the cultural diversity and people of the NT, including First Nations people.
Further information
• The recommended applicant will be required to hold a current Working with Children Clearance notice and undergo a criminal
history check (a criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history).
* Staff are not permitted to smoke anywhere on Department of Corrections premises, facilities or vehicles.
* Personal mobile devices are not permitted in youth detention centres in the NT.
* This role may attract shift penalties and allowances as per the Northern Territory Public Sector 2021-2025 Enterprise Agreement
and relevant determinations.