Aboriginal Program Development Officer

Aboriginal Program Development Officer

Location – Parramatta (Sydney) - Flexible  

Employment type – Temporary (until 30 June 2028), Full Time

Salary – Clerk Grade 7/8 - $113,574 - $125,720 (plus superannuation and leave loading)

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

Your role

The Aboriginal Program Development Officer contributes to the development, planning, coordination, delivery, monitoring and maintenance of a suite of accredited and approved rehabilitation programs for offenders in custody and the community, to enhance community safety and reduce reoffending of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders.

A central focus of the role is the development and implementation of throughcare initiatives involving co-design and community partnership. The position operates within a high-performing team that values innovation and accountability. It also supports broader system reform aligned with the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms, including shared decision-making, strengthening the community-controlled sector, transforming government practices, and improving access to data at the regional level.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external providers to coordinate state-wide training specific to group-based programs.

Monitor the effectiveness and integrity of offender programs to ensure they address criminogenic and other needs of offenders.

What you’ll do

• Develop and implement an Aboriginal men’s program for users of domestic violence in partnership with an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and in line with the CSNSW Program and Facilitation Standards, to achieve identified program outcomes and reduce re-offending.
• Contribute to the collection and analysis of a broad range of relevant, evidence-based information on specific subjects to inform and contribute to the understanding of offender behaviour change and “What Works” in offender programming.
• Provide direction and guidance to staff of all disciplines to build capability and enhance the content and delivery of group-based programs accredited by CSNSW.
• Provide instruction and support to operational field staff and monitor integrity of offender programs to ensure they effectively address criminogenic and other needs of offenders.
• Maintain relevant case management database records regarding the delivery and participation in programs to ensure access and retrieval of information for reporting and decision making.

What we’re looking for

• Current NSW driver’s licence and ability and willingness to drive throughout NSW
• Understanding the issues facing Aboriginal offenders in the criminal justice system and knowledge of the services available from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations that address their needs

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations 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.

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

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html

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 11th March 2026 at 11:59pm AEDT

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Aimee Press via email - aimee.press@correctiveservices.nsw.gov.au

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 Rachel Urquhart-Secord on 02 9354 1624  or via rachel.urquhartsecord@dcj.nsw.gov.au  

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.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/