Overview
Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $79,122 - $90,989
Grade: YJW 2
Occupation: Prison and corrective services
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: DJCS/1910800
At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we're looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.
We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We're all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we'd love to hear from you.
The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children's rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit
We're proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?
* Great opportunity to join Youth Justice on an ongoing basis at the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct.
* Develops and provides high quality programs such as development activities, recreational, living skills, vocational and rehabilitative focused programs and events for young people in custody.
* Make a positive difference in improving the outcomes of young people
About us
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is responsible for the statutory supervision of children and young people in the criminal justice system.
The three Youth Justice custodial precincts in Victoria are managed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety:
* Parkville Youth Justice Precinct is in the inner northern Melbourne suburb of Parkville, approximately five kilometres from the central business district.
* Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct located to the west of Werribee.
* Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct is located approximately 100 kilometres north of Melbourne.
Youth Justice Custodial Services aim to engage young people in change by addressing their offending behaviour and equipping them with the skills required for positive community participation, within a safe and secure environment.
Youth Justice custodial centres accommodate children and young people aged 12-18 years who have been remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18-21-year old's sentenced by Adult Courts to a youth justice custodial centre.
The Youth Engagement Officer is responsible for assisting in the planning, coordination and delivery of the day-to-day operations of Youth Engagement and the facilitation and promotion of youth development activities, living and vocational skills, sports and recreation programs, activities and events for young people in custody.
The Opportunity
* Ongoing, full-time position based at the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct but working flexibly across other Youth Justice Custodial Precincts (Malmsbury & Cherry Creek), where needed to respond to operational requirements.
* YJW 2 role: $79,122 - $90,989 per year plus superannuation.
* Working in a team, research, develop, deliver and organise a comprehensive suite of living skills, vocational and internal programs, special events, tournaments and drop-in activities for young people in custody.
* Plan for each activity within assigned program guidelines, preparation, setup and delivery. Secure necessary facilities, equipment, supplies, individual needs, and personnel to operate programs. .
* Run a full suite of recreational and internal programs and activities in support of the Parkville College and Melbourne Polytechnic academic and vocational program schedule during school holiday periods.
* Coordinate and promote evening/weekend activities for young people using external program providers.
* Remain current on program trends and make recommendations to adapt program delivery as required.
* Promote the implementation of youth engagement strategies for young people in custody.
* Monitor the youth engagement programs data and collect information for reporting purposes.
* Ensure programs engage all young people in a manner that promotes individual needs.
* Continually build strong professional relationships with young people in custody, staff and service providers.
* Liaise and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including the Cultural, Aboriginal, and Rehabilitative teams.
* Apply rigorous operational, safety and risk assessment in the planning, coordination and delivery of all programs.
To be successful in this role you will have:
* Demonstrated experience and interest with recreation or sport event programming, organising and implementing activities with young people.
* Experience in the planning, implementation and evaluation of sporting programs and projects.
* Knowledge of current trends in sport and recreational development activities, programs and events that benefit young people in custody.
* A full driver's licence is required due to the need to work across work locations.
You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.
To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.
What's in it for you?
You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.
There are many advantages in working for the department, including:
* Job stability – position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
* A fair salary– enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
* Transparent performance framework– approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
* Generous leave entitlements– provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
* Employee Assistance Program support – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.
If you have any queries, please contact Teresa Bonadio on or
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.
For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made
We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.
We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.
If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Thursday 12th March 2026.
How to apply
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded i n .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.
Applications close Thursday 12 March 2026 at 11.59pm
Posted
25 February 2026