Youth Officer
Cobham Youth Justice Centre – St Marys
Location: Cobham Youth Justice Centre -St Marys
Employment type: Casual and unlock opportunities for temporary and ongoing roles
Salary: $36.20 per hour + loading (casual). Temporary and Ongoing - $71,777 – $80,129 + super + allowances
Shift work required.
This role involves shift work across a 24/7 roster, including weekends and public holidays.
Training: Mandatory 5 weeks of full-time Induction Training & Assessment Program (ITAP) commence July
2026
Looking for a career where your life experience, resilience, and interpersonal skills are genuinely valued?
Bring your experience to a role that makes a meaningful impact. This opportunity is well suited to professionals with practical expertise and the credibility to engage effectively with young people in complex circumstances.
Your role
As a Youth Officer, you’ll play a key role in guiding young people in custody toward better choices and brighter futures. Whether your background is in parenting, trades, community work, customer service, or another people-focused field, your ability to communicate, stay calm under pressure, and build trust can make a real impact.
This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to contribute to safer communities while supporting young people to turn their lives around.
What you’ll do
You’ll work within a structured, secure environment supporting young people to develop life skills, improve behaviour, and prepare for reintegration into the community.
Working alongside psychologists, caseworkers, and other professionals, you will:
- Support daily routines, wellbeing, and personal development
- Encourage participation in education, vocational and recreational programs
- Act as a positive role model, guiding behaviour change
- Respond calmly and confidently to challenging situations
- Maintain a safe, respectful, and structured environment
- Assist with appointments such as court, medical, or casework
- Complete reports and maintain accurate records
You’ll receive five weeks of paid, full-time training to ensure you feel confident and prepared before starting in the Centre
What we’re looking for
We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds—especially those with strong life experience and a genuine desire to make a difference.
You may be a great fit if you bring:
- Strong communication and people skills – able to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Resilience and emotional maturity – remain calm and professional in high-pressure situations
- Practical life experience – from work, family, or community involvement
- Team-focused mindset – work collaboratively to maintain safety and structure
- Cultural awareness – respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and communities
Requirements
- Minimum NSW P2 Driver Licence
- Current First Aid certificate (HLTAID011) or willingness to obtain
- Working With Children Check clearance
- Ability to pass medical, fitness, and criminal history checks
- Availability to complete 5 weeks of full-time training (ITAP)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Download the role description.
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
- Paid, structured training to set you up for success
- Clear career pathways within Youth Justice and the broader DCJ network
- Competitive salary with shift penalties and allowances
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Health, wellbeing, and Employee Assistance Programs
- A meaningful role where you can make a real difference every day
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 and attach:
- An up-to-date résumé (maximum 3 pages)
- Cover letter (maximum 1 page) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role
Applications close 12 May 2026 at 11:00pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role, application process, or recruitment adjustments, please contact Merina Maharjan on 0473 430 764 or [email protected]
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.
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/
The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience
The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.
