Director Policy and Practice

Director Policy and Practice

Based in Parramatta – flexible and hybrid arrangements available

Ongoing position available

$239,483 to $263,586 Total Remuneration Payable (PSSE Band 1)

The Department of Communities and Justice acknowledges the importance of lived experience and how it contributes to the valuable work we do with the community.

We strongly encourage and support applications from people who are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. While all applications are welcome, once we have determined through merit-based assessment which candidates meet the pre-established standards of the role, we will select the candidate who is also of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent (as appropriate).

Your role

Youth Justice is in a period of significant reform, as we adapt our service system to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities, in accordance with the Closing the Gap priority reforms. We are looking for a dynamic leader to oversee and direct the development, review, and implementation of our practice, policies and procedures across Youth Justice, within this changing environment.  

What you’ll do

This position will ensure quality assurance of practice with young people across all areas of operations, contributing to the evolution of the service system, and providing expert advice on operational reforms to foster a responsive, adaptable organisational culture ready to meet current and future challenges. You will also:

• Strategic Leadership: Drive the development and implementation of evidence-based and culturally led practices for Youth Justice services across NSW, including diversion, early intervention, community-based programs, youth justice conferencing, countering violent extremism, case management, custodial operations, and psychological services.
• Policy and Standards: Provide strategic direction in creating and implementing policies, raising operational standards, and enhancing procedures to better meet the needs of the children and families with whom Youth Justice works. Lead reform agendas and ensure compliance with legislative frameworks to enhance child safety, reduce reoffending, and improve reintegration outcomes.
• Strategic Priorities: Set and achieve goals to ensure the Youth Justice system in NSW operates in accordance with the Closing the Gap reform priorities to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal young people.
• Foster Collaborative Partnerships: Lead and nurture operational and community relationships with service partners, including the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, local Aboriginal communities, Justice Health, Education, and the Children’s Court, to ensure holistic services for young people in the criminal justice system.
• Training Excellence: Champion organisational culture change and oversee the operational training function, ensuring fit-for-purpose solutions for custody and community operations.
• Community-Based Solutions: Lead the Bail and Accommodation Support Service, ensuring the provision of essential after-hours services to reduce youth detention and keep young people safely in the community with minimal disruption.
• Comprehensive Psychological Services: Strategically manage Youth Justice Psychological Services, including clinical supervision, professional development, and therapeutic services for young people.
• Drive Quality Assurance: Implement and oversee quality assurance systems for risk assessment, casework interventions, program design, and psychological services.

If you are committed to making a positive impact and driving change in youth justice, we want to hear from you.

Click here to download the role description.

What we’re looking for

• Thorough understanding of contemporary and emerging environmental and social issues facing young people in contact with the criminal justice system in NSW and the importance  of a system response where  decisions about Aboriginal children are made by Aboriginal people wherever possible.
• Demonstrated leadership experience leading organisational culture change and policy and practice reform.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

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

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage, and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

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 and Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Support and supervision that can be tailored to individual needs

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 an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages).

As part of the online application process, you will be asked to address the targeted question:

• As a manager or director, please describe a time where you championed an initiative which benefited Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people? How did you ensure that cultural knowledge, understanding, and respect were incorporated into the changes?

Applications close Sunday 22 September 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 Executive District Director’s EA Kristen Varley on Kristen.Varley@dcj.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 Marian Hurmiz on 02 9765 3660 or at marian.hurmiz@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.

There are experienced senior Aboriginal people on this recruitment panel, to help reflect the needs of this organisation and the people that it serves.

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 Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

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